Again this year Grindleford and Eyam Playgroup is running the Advent Spiral.

This is a magical event that provides an opportunity for a moment of pause, peace and reflection, before the onslaught that is Christmas. Hosted by the National Trust at the Moorlands Visitor Centre, it is truly a magical time.

The children are invited to light a candle from the centre of the room, and place it on the spiral. Carols are sung and families from the community come together for a chance to be.

A really special event for Christmas.  Join us this year to enjoy the magic!

When: 7 December 2015. Time 15.30 – 17:30
Where: Moorlands Discovery Centre. Longshaw Estate. S11 7TZ. 15.30-17.30hrs. A truly magical introduction to the advent season.
Who: Open to everyone. £2 per child.
Please park in the main Longshaw car park and follow the lanterns through the woods.

Forest school for All…Again!

UPDATED 5 December 2015 at 8.55 am

Sadly the Forest School for All…Again event is cancelled due to the strong winds…only the 2nd time in 3 years that we have had to cancel! There is a severe weather warning in place and of course safety must come first.

Our last Forest School for All was such a great event we are doing it again!  If you missed it or fancy doing it all over again then now is your chance!

Open to literally everyone in the world!

This is a playgroup fundraiser, so please spread the word.

Playgroup will not be responsible for any child attending.  Children will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Date: 5th December at 10-1300hrs.

Cost: £5 per family plus donations for tea and coffee.

The Plan: Meet at the Grindleford Pavilion, dressed ready for action!  Please bring bow saws and loppers.

Hope to see you there 🙂

Come along and Splat the Rat! 

GEP are hosting Splat the Rat! at the Grindleford Primary School Summer Solar Fete on Thursday 9th July between 3pm and 6pm.  There will be stalls, games and a BBQ and of course Splat the Rat!

Hope to see you there.

Have you seen Becca’s most recent weekly update? It’s a great overview of our staff team and the way each of them contributes to your child’s preschool experience. What’s more, it shows how lucky we are to have Becca at the helm of our little band. As one parent replied to her,

“I appreciate all the emails you send and thought it about time I let you know. It’s so lovely to hear what the children are getting up to and seeing this through photos too. You and your team have an incredible gift, and I’m so lucky that my son is able to join you guys and benefit from all you have to offer.”

So here’s Becca’s round-up of our staff team again, in case you missed it! Please join me in thanking Becca and the team from the bottom of our hearts for their commitment to our children, which is truly unique.

“At playgroup we have the pleasure of getting to know your children by spending time with them. Getting to know their likes, dislikes, things that make them happy and occasionally sad. It is the exceptional staff team that we have though that makes all the good things we have to offer possible.

Pauline is one of the two Deputy Supervisors. Her ability to think around problems and find solutions is exceptional. Julia is the other Deputy and her strengths includes her ability to impart knowledge to children in a way they can understand. Sophie is truly exceptional with the younger children. Sarah’s creative flair has enriched the playgroup environment beyond compare. Donna has settled perfectly into our setting and her calm consistency brings much stability. Rachel (Wednesday Forest School leader) offers gentle assurance to the children. Hattie (Woodland Adventure leader and Friday Forest School leader) is comfortable to allow the children to play and explore their own abilities. And Liz – her commitment to playgroup for over 20 years is simply astounding. There is so much more to say about each of them, but I would invite you to discover for yourselves.

One way of doing this is to contact them in the capacity of your child’s key worker directly, speak to them in a morning or seek them out at the end of the day. Another way is to join us on Friday May 1st 12 noon for our May Day celebrations. Bring a picnic and join us for a chance to talk to each other in an unhurried way.

And by the way one of my strengths….? Positivity.

What’s yours? Come and tell us next Friday!!
With love, Becca X”

On another note we’d like to mention how much better we think pick up is now functioning! It is practically much easier (with waterproofs etc), especially if you have a smaller child to bring, and it is also so much calmer. So we hope you also feel that it enduces a calm and enjoyable pick up rather than a stressful pick up: but please keep sharing your views!