Job Summary:
Kington Kids is a welcoming, family-run Breakfast and After School Club, proudly providing wraparound care for the children of Kington St. Michael CofE Primary School. Now in our 10th year, we are delighted to have achieved two Good Ofsted ratings, reflecting the care and commitment we bring to everything we do.
We are a close-knit team who truly value the children and families we support. Many of our staff have been parents at the school themselves, sharing in the joy of watching these children grow and thrive. Our reputation means a lot to us, and we take pride in creating a safe, nurturing environment where every child feels at home.
We are looking for an assistant who shares our dedication and can be counted on every day. Reliability is essential—our families trust us, and we need someone who will be there for the children with warmth, energy, and a genuine commitment to their wellbeing.
The ideal candidate will possess a genuine passion for nurturing young minds, with experience in early childhood education. This role offers an opportunity to make a positive impact on children's lives while working within a supportive team. The Childcare Provider will be responsible for creating a safe, engaging, and educational environment that promotes growth and learning.

Duties:
Supervise and care for children, ensuring their safety and well-being at all times.
Walk the children to and from the school to the village hall.
Plan and implement age-appropriate activities that promote development in social, emotional, and cognitive skills.
Maintain a clean and organised childcare area, adhering to health and safety regulations.
Communicate effectively with children, parents, and colleagues to provide updates on children's progress and needs.
Assist with daily routines.
Support learning through play-based activities and educational programmes.
Prepare snacks.
Set the hall with equipment and then put away.
Clean and tidy the village hall at the end of each session.
Manage behaviour positively, encouraging good manners and respectful interactions
Drive children to appointments or activities when required, maintaining safe driving practices.

Skills:
Experience with children in nursery or early childhood education settings.
Strong management skills to organise activities and maintain a structured environment.
Leadership qualities to guide children confidently while fostering independence.
Excellent communication skills in English, capable of liaising effectively with parents and team members.
Ability to demonstrate patience, empathy, and understanding in caring for young children.
Knowledge of childcare best practices, health & safety standards, and child development principles.
Safeguarding Training.
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities efficiently within a busy environment.
Enhanced DBS.
Paediatric First Aid training desirable or an expectation to attend a course as soon possible.
Food and Hygiene training, or to be completed once in post.

Hours:
School Term Times - Monday to Friday
Breakfast Club - 0700 until 0900
After school Club - 1445 until 1800
Open for 5 weeks during the school half terms - Mon to Thurs 0800 -1630
February (Spring) Half Term
April (Easter) - 1 week only
August (Summer Holidays) - 2 weeks
October (Autumn)

Contact:
Sarah Meehan kingtonkids@outlook.com.

"Test piling is due to be carried out  across the site from 15th - 16th December 2025, with the work due to be completed in early January 2026.  These works will involve driving steel piles into the ground in order to appraise the site’s ground conditions.  These will then be removed after a period of c. 6 weeks.  Due to the nature of the work some noise is unavoidable during these operations, and we apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused.         
           
We are committed to minimising disruption and keeping the community fully informed as the project progresses.  Once full construction dates and details are confirmed, we will notify nearby residents and businesses directly via a mail drop.            

Updates are also being published on our website https://uk.edenrenewables.com/redbarn-solar-farm."

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Football legend Steve Perryman, is returning once again to share stories,
insights, and plenty of laughter — all in support of two great causes:

⚽ Castle Combe Colts FC
❤️ The Aorta Dissection Charitable Trust

Date: Thursday 29th January 2026
Venue: Kington St Michael Social Club
Only £15 per ticket
Please enquire at the club, shop or cafe for tickets.

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Christmas at Kington St Michael Community Shop

The volunteer team would like to thank everyone in the village who has supported the shop during this year, and wish you all a very Happy Christmas!
A reminder that turkey and other Christmas meats orders need to be collected on Tuesday 23rd December. 
In addition to some interesting small gift ideas, this year the shop is stocking locally made, crocheted hats and head warmers in adult and children’s sizes, that come in a variety of designs and colours.
Return of a favourite!  Taylors of Bruton have been craft bakers in Somerset since 1945 using quality local ingredients.  The shop will be stocking a range of their delicious fresh bread; a large wholemeal loaf costs £3.10 and a small white farmhouse £1.95. Deliveries on Mondays and Thursdays.
Bespoke Christmas hampers are available -choose what you would like to put in a hamper, or just name a price and the hamper will be prepared for you (minimum £10).
The shop will be open until 4pm on Christmas Eve, and New Years Eve and closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
If you’d like to chat about what it’s like volunteering, either serving behind the counter, or helping with background tasks, please ring: Diane on 07768 053116, or email the shop on hello@kingtonstmichaelvillageshop.co.uk.
Kington St Michael Shop is open 8.45am-5pm, Monday-Saturday and until 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Follow us at: Instagram @ksmvillageshop and Facebook @Kington St Michael Village Shop Limited.

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Race Night

Kington St Michael WI is holding a Race Night for everyone on Saturday 31st January 2026.  Tickets are £15, which includes a chilli supper and your race card.  This is to fundraise for our chosen charities, Doorway & Air Ambulance.  Doors will open at 7pm and the first race is at 7.30pm.  Bring your own drinks. Dress code is 'Fancy Hat or Flat Cap'.  This promises to be a fun evening.  Tickets from Chris at 9 The Close or call Denise on 07851 458400.

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QE2 Field News (Bonfire Night)

The annual village bonfire night took place on Saturday 1st November, complete with a fantastic fireworks display.  Attendance was down compared to normal so the takings are expected to be down, but the group still hope to make a small profit (final amount to be confrimed). 
This event could not happen without help from the volunteers, support from village groups and local organisations.  Thank you to everyone who gave up their time to help before, on the night, and after the event.  Well done also to the fireworks team, including the newest members who recently completed their fireworks training!  They put on a safe and spectacular show that has become a village tradition.
Special thanks to the Parish Council and Viv Vines (PC Clerk), Kington St Michael Village Shop Limited, Kington Café, KSM Club, Chippenham Pallet Company, 
MJ Church Recycling, and Merv Singer and team.  This simply could not run without your support.
As well as an annual fund-raiser for the QE2 Field, this is very much a community event designed to bring together all ages and, despite the weather this year, it was great to see that spirit still very much in evidence on the night!

New Storage Facility & Paths
The QE2 group was delighted that the new wooden-clad storage container was installed just in time for bonfire night! Thanks to the Parish Council for its support with this facility. 
There are new paths from the field down to the Nymph Hay, making walking easier. Thanks to Merv Singer and his team for the continued work at the field, to help make these improvements.
If you are interested in getting involved, email ksmqe2fieldgroup@gmail.com to register your interest.

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Good news - the two new community defibrillators have arrived, which means
 that we are back up and running at both the school and The Jolly Huntsman.

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Dog Fouling

Recently there have been multiple incidents of dog fouling on pavements throughout the village, especially regularly along the main street by the telephone box and up by the school.  

Wherever you are walking your dog in the village - street, public footpath, QE2 Field, Nymph Hay Wood or the surrounding fields - picking up after your dog still applies!  If anyone sees an owner letting their dog foul in a public place please report it to Wiltshire Council, either by 'phoning 01249 706111 and asking for the Dog Warden, or email publicprotectionnorth@wiltshire.gov.uk or via an on-line form on Wiltshire Council's website. Photographic evidence of the owner neglecting to pick up is always a help.  Your personal details will be treated in strict confidence and you will be informed of the outcome of the complaint. Please note that complaints regarding aggressive dogs should be made to the police.

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Nigel Farr's Sponsored Bike Ride

On Saturday 13th September, Nigel Farr and Warren Burgess started out on their journey to London to raise funds for Dorothy House Hospice.
Following the death of his sister, Kathryn, whose last days were spent being cared for in Dorothy House Hospice, Nigel decided to undertake a ride in her memory, in order to raise as much money as possible for the charity. 

Nigel and Warren took the train from Chippenham station early on Saturday morning, heading for London, where they took to the saddle for the two-day cycle ride back to 
Kington St Michael; Clive Dury, Harvey Bull and Martin Casey joining them at Newbury for the final leg of the ride.

Typically of the English climate, after a long, dry summer, they had to contend with heavy downpours of rain, and wind, but undeterred they arrived back safely in the village on Sunday 14th, to a joyous crowd of villagers who had come out to greet them.
Kington Club opened its doors at 4pm for people to join them in congratulating Nigel and Warren on their successful fundraising challenge.

Nigel’s ride was made more challenging for him following his recent health problems.  In 2002 he contracted meningitis and septicaemia; last year he suffered two strokes.  In addition to this Nigel has only one kidney, and a pacemaker. 

Nigel’s family has lived in the village since1625 when the first Farr family appeared on the church registry.

Nigel’s grandparents lived in Honey Knob cottage and his parents, June and Brian Farr, moved into the village when they got married.  They lived in a cottage in Sebastopol terrace for a while then moved to Mayfield Cottage at the end of Stubbs Lane, where Kathryn Nigel and Richard were born.  All three children attended the old village school before it was converted into the new village hall and shop.  Afterwards Nigel went to Chippenham boys’ school which later became Sheldon School.  After leaving school he went to Lackham College where he obtained a City and Guilds diploma in gardening.  His passion had always been farming so he went to work for various farms in the area.  When farming work dried up, he was employed at the Jolly Huntsman, which led to him being employed by other hostelries over a period of 26 years.
 
After his parents passed away Nigel moved out of the family home into an Alms House on the main village street, and by a quirk of fate ended up in the same Alms House that his great grandfather had lived in many years ago.

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KSM QE2 Field News

 The committee was delighted to have received approval from the Parish Council to go ahead with plans for a storage facility at the field.  This will be a huge help in storing equipment required for events, including bonfire night.  Thanks go to the PC for its support.

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Teddy Bear Parachute Day Results

The Parochial Church Council  and organising team from this year’s village teddy parachuting and family fun event at the church, would like to thank everyone who was involved with or supported this event - an amazing £1,028.19 was raised, which will go towards the upkeep of our beautiful church.  In fourteen years of running this event, these are the most funds ever raised.

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Book Recycling Scheme

• Peter Macdonald (Chair)
• Alex Hall (Vice-chair)
• Gerry Gamble
• Ollie Mead
• Tim Mead
• John Newton
• Will Roe
• Fiona Twisse
• Steven Woodhead
  
  If you have something that you wish to bring to the Parish Council’s attention, please contact the Clerk, Viv Vines, on 01249 657695 / 07785 717665, ksmparishclerk@gmail.com.