About our Playgroup Sessions

We work on a staff to child ratio of 1 to 4 children under 3 and 1 to 8 for three to five year olds, as stipulated by Ofsted and we employ six experienced members of staff.

We follow school terms and sessions are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, alternate Thursdays and Fridays.

Days & Times of sessions

• Monday: 9:00am to 11:30am with optional lunchtime hour 11:30am - 12:30pm
• Wednesday: 9:00am to 11:30am with optional lunchtime hour 11:30am - 12:30pm
• Alternate Thursdays: 9:30am to 12:00 noon
• Friday: 9:00am to 11:30am with optional lunchtime hour 11:30am - 12:30pm

Funded & non-funded places

Children are presently entitled to up to 5 sessions per week of 2 and a half hours in duration from the term following their 3rd birthday, paid for by the government.

Fees for those under 3 years of age are £4.50 per session, payable half-termly in advance.

Concessions are available for families for more than one non-funded child at playgroup - please speak to the Supervisor. We can also offer concessions to toddler parents/carers in a similar position.

Optional lunchtime session 11:30am - 12:30pm

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays the pre-school runs a normal 2 and a half hour session from 9am - 11:30am with an optional lunchtime session from 11:30am - 12:30pm.

Attendance for the optional additional hour (11.30am to 12.30pm) is entirely up to the parent/carer. We are pleased to say that the lunchtime sessions are currently funded by family services for those children who are 3 and above. The rate for this extra hour for those under 3 is £3.50. Children attending from 11.30am to 12.30pm bring a packed lunch.

Snacks

The children are provided with a nutritious snack at every session apart from alternate Thursday sessions when they bring a packed lunch from home.

Snacks and packed lunches are eaten while sitting at child-sized tables, under adult supervision. At snack time, the children are given a choice of milk or water to drink in addition to fruit and other healthy foods. On some occasions they may eat something they have previously prepared themselves as an activity, for example sandwiches, fruit salad or a small cake. We would like to stress that any dietary requirements arising from allergies, intolerances and religious/ideological observances will be noted and respected.

General Information

Information for parents is posted on the entrance table as you come into the village hall, or via the newsletter which is put in the children’s trays. This is our way of informing you of important matters as they arise. There is also a notice board with Playgroup news located in the main hall. We ask that you please check the entrance table and your child’s tray at every session you attend for updates.

Parental Involvement

The Pre-school is a registered charity and requires a Committee of Trustees to manage and direct it. Trustees are usually the parents of children at the Playgroup. If you would like to become a Trustee, please contact Rachael Temple on 01208 851881 (session time only) or out of hours 0751 025 3526.

This is a great opportunity to become involved in your child’s education. We also have a rota system for parents to help at sessions if they wish.