This is a mobile crèche service run by Sarah Seisay, a registered childminder (and WECH tenant) living off Fernhead Road.

We were approached initially to support a funding application to form a local Childminding Co-op based at Paddington Recreation Ground. After some discussion, the business plan was amended, instead to concentrate on a mobile crèche service.

The Community Investment Fund was used to provide Urban Kids with a starter pack; business cards, publicity flyers and letterhead all carrying the Octavia logo with the wording “Supporting Community Enterprise”. We also donated toys and creative learning equipment.

Urban Kids was provided with its first booking at the Winter Fest with the provison that, where possible, Octavia tenants be employed on the day. Two tenants were employed and are now deriving income as a direct result of our small investment. The funding and support received from Octavia has also helped Urban Kids obtain match funding from PDT and Sure Start. Urban Kids has also received bookings from other RSL’s and now runs a weekly drop-in for parents and young children at the WECH Community Hall.

Sarah continues to develop Urban Kids, regularly contacting Octavia, and retains 3 Octavia tenants as session workers. She will also be providing employment opportunities to participants of the NVQ course and will run an area at the Summer Fun Day to entertain pre-school age children.

Most notably, Sarah provided a full day’s crèche service at 10 Downing Street in April 2003, where she was introduced to the Prime Minister and other dignitaries and distributed her publicity, mentioning the support received from Octavia. She expects future bookings to arise from this event.