The Mudlarks, an After School Club has been set up for local children who attend regularly each night of the week. In order to establish this provision, registration to provide a service for children under 8 years of age has had to be secured and we are now one of the few centres in the area qualified to work with this age group. As well as providing constructive leisure time for the children, the club is also providing Child Care for working parents which is available every day of the year, except for Christmas Day and Bank Holidays. We have also been registered as suitable premises to host a local Playgroup who have been visiting the Mudchute regularly. It has been recognised by parents and workers that the environment here will be more beneficial to the children who attend.

The Summer Play scheme was a great success, running for 4 weeks during August with at least 80 children attending each day. Family Fun days were organised throughout the scheme and many families took advantage of these and the seaside trips which were also available to parents as well as children

The Young Farmers Club is a popular project with many local children and this year we have visited rural farms in order for them to make informed comparisons. A residential experience was also arranged and 19 young people took part in this venture, turning out each morning at 8am to muck out and feed the animals.

Untold Work Experience opportunities are offered to young people and we are now accommodating pupils that schools are finding difficult to place. These young people who have an interest in the animals and the environment seem to be stimulated at Mudchute and often return as volunteers when their placements are finished.

A new partnership with YOT has been established and we are now taking young people on placement as part of their reparation. These young people have taken on a variety of tasks that they have been set and have proven to be hard working and reliable.

The Education Centre can be reached on 020 7531 4334