A breakfast and after-school club opened at a north Norfolk primary school 10 years ago has gone from strength to strength, expanding to cater for more youngsters, and running all-day holiday clubs for ages four-13.
Bright Stars, which was set up at Sheringham Primary School in 2005 by a committee formed by long-serving teacher Hilary Rayment, began by hosting hour-long breakfast and after-school sessions for just a handful of pupils.
It now boasts more than 200 youngsters on its books, some of whom attend neighbouring schools.
The club, which caters for up to 24 children per session, is situated in the school's former nursery building.
It has its own playground, a kitchen and a quiet room and boasts equipment ranging from bikes, trikes and roller skates, to board games, a dolls' house and a dressing-up corner.
Children, who are taken to school and collected at the end of the day by Bright Stars staff, are offered breakfast, healthy snacks and a home-cooked tea.
The holiday club, which runs three days a week from 8am-6pm, has also seen an increase in membership, with more than 50 children attending during school holidays.
Summer activities have included messy play, cooking and den building, as well as parachute games and treasure hunts on the school fields and - during carnival week - a parade complete with float made from bikes and a toy trailer.
Bright Stars manager Bev Richards said attending the club gave children a chance to have fun and socialise, also giving parents peace of mind knowing their
youngsters were in a safe and happy environment.
'We try to provide a home from home, where children are getting a free choice of activities and - particularly with messy play - perhaps trying things they may not always be able to do at home,' she said.
Eight-year-old Charlotte Borrett, who attends the holiday club, said: 'I love coming as I get to see my friends and it is really fun. We do baking and can even make our own breakfast.'
Mrs Richards, who leads a team of four qualified staff, is hoping to recruit a new, part-time deputy play leader. For more information, phone 07971 601913 or visit the Bright Stars Facebook page.
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