Kids Get Smart photo
| Published: 19th November 2008 14:44 |
Youngsters at The Hollies Children's Centre in Taunton will be able to use the latest early learning technology thanks to Somerset County Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council's partnership with IBM.
IBM has donated a KidSmart unit to The Hollies as one of the benefits of the Councils' involvement in Southwest One, the Joint Venture Company set up between Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council, Avon and Somerset Police and IBM.
The KidSmart programme is for young children, their parents and teachers. It uses a colourful childproof computer unit and aims not just to encourage youngsters to love learning, but to help the adults around them become comfortable with the latest technology. The children will be able to operate and interact with everyday technology in a fun way to support their learning. They will be supported to develop their early maths and fine motor skills.
The Ladybird Playgroup in Bruton has also just taken delivery of the latest interactive technology and IBM plans to donate further KidSmart units in coming years. Southwest One was created a year ago to cut costs for all the partner authorities and aims to save millions of pounds over the next ten years.
Visiting The Hollies, Councillor Jill Shortland, Leader of Somerset County Council, said: "I am pleased to see the benefits of the Southwest One go beyond cost-savings and efficient working for the Council. IBM's KidSmart Programme is a fantastic bonus for Somerset."
Councillor Ross Henley, Leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council, said: "I am delighted that young people will benefit in this way from the Southwest One partnership. Our children are our future."
Richard Jones, Chief Executive of Southwest One, said: "We are thrilled that Somerset have agreed to join the KidSmart Programme. Our partnership with Somerset and Taunton Deane means that we can reach even more children through this programme and help them develop some of the skills that they're going to need as they grow up. All the evidence we have is that the KidSmart units make a huge impact on children's learning, wherever they are placed. As a company we attach great importance to life long learning - and it's never too soon to start. KidSmart means that we can give children a real head start."
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