We’re on the case for Easter already! A message from Becca:
Could you, or do you know anyone who could knit these little blighters? We need about 50 in total – colour, wool of your choice-wackier the better! By the first week of March – are you in or are you in? Thank you! P.S. They are surprises for the kids though so don’t tell….. ; )
http://www.francishouse.org.uk/userfiles/file/Chick%20knitting%20pattern%20instructions%281%29.pdf
With so many little people now in our care, we’re looking for more staff members to join our team!
Our staff help our children to feel loved and happy in themselves – and to embrace the joy in daily life. If this sounds like you, or someone you know, please get in touch.
Take a look at the recruitment section of our website for more details or contact our Supervisor Becca on 07812 425561 or email recruitmentatgep@gmail.com.
Our new recruits are settling in well – two of our youngest just emerging from a happy morning’s play:
If you’re wondering whether to send your child to pre-school take a look at this recently published research report by the Department of Education, which spells out the long-term benefits a pre-school education can have on a child’s life chances. The researchers followed over 3,000 children from 5 English regions. The report states that going to pre-school significantly increased the likelihood of achieving five or more GCSEs at grade A*-C and that high quality pre-school experiences led to better self-regulation, pro-social behaviour and lower levels of hyperactivity. The report – which is the first large scale study in the UK to investigate the financial benefits of a pre-school education – also suggests that in the longer term a pre-school education brings significant economic benefits to the individual equating to £10,000+ over the course of a lifetime.
Read the report: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/351496/RR354_-_Students__educational_and_developmental_outcomes_at_age_16.pdf
This just in from a mum of a two year old who started with us this week –
“Dear Becca,
I just wanted to write to you to say a huge THANK YOU for making A’s first day at pre-school so super. He was already really familiar with you and with the room and its set-up from Mud Kitchen Toddler Group on Fridays, so it was a delight to see you greet each other with real joy when he arrived, to see him happily take off his coat and boots at the coat stand and then confidently toddle off to play with the trains and cars where he knew they would be. Compared to my daughter’s start at nursery elsewhere at that age, this was a dream! He clearly had a fabulous morning, and seeing all the children hiding from us parents with huge, cheeky grins at pick-up just confirmed that. Later, in his hesitant way he told me proudly he had chopped some vegetables and been on a balance bike with Becca!
I can’t imagine a happier place for him to spend his pre-school years and grow some special friendships – thank you again for a very special first day.
A very relieved mum! xx”
We have now been running our forest school for almost 2 academic years and are delighted to announce the addition of a new session from September 2014. It will run on Friday mornings from 9.30am – 12.30pm and is also aimed at three-year-olds and above. The mud kitchen toddler group will continue as normal in the pavilion. We anticipate that places will fill up fast – if you are interested in booking a place, please contact our Supervisor on 07842 095402 or by using our contact form.
Thanks to staff and volunteers, the playgroup tent at Coppice Day, was a hive of activity and creativity. Dream catchers were woven and clay boggarts emerged from the earth.
The event is run by Transition Hope Valley and the National Trust. Both organisations have provided input into playgroup over the past year, and I am hugely grateful for it! It was an absolute pleasure, to be able to be part of this special time.
Knicker-pecker stools, heather brooms, stories, delicious food and lovely company all went to creating a really great day.
When I asked my children which part of the day they had enjoyed most, my three year old replied the toilet! And indeed the compost loo was a pleasure to use!
Highly recommend the whole event for next year!
Please help us improve the service we provide by completing our short annual survey – whether your child attends GEP or not. Thank you for your time! Deadline for responses is Monday 10th March.
The past twelve months has seen the playgroup in Grindleford change radically into a family focused, child centred place to send your child. Under the leadership of the management committee and the Supervisor Rebecca Stephenson, numbers have risen so dramatically that new staff members are needed!
Extended opening hours, carefully considered routine and the fantastic forest school have all contributed to the changes, plus dedicated staff mean that it really is ,’a very happy place’ and ‘my child looks forward to coming every day’ say two of its parents.
‘I am delighted that we are able to offer each child, a unique start to their education. That starting point is to value each and every child. We are very much about meeting the child where they are, as opposed to forcing set ideas onto them. I believe that the pre-school years are for play! To make friends and gain an understanding of themselves and their surroundings’ says Rebecca. ‘We are so fortunate, that the local community is very much behind us-ranging from ladies from the WI baking with the children each Monday, to running events alongside the village shop.’ The forest school is supported by playgroup staff, trained forest school leaders and regular volunteers.’My child cannot wait for Wednesdays, and asks me each morning if today is the day!’ is a common statement from parents.The allotment has been a huge success, along with local crafts people coming into playgroup to work with the children. Local potter Madeline Gay said during her recent visit, ‘I wish this playgroup had existed when my children were small. They would have loved coming here! It is such a lovely place!’
The Friday Mud Kitchen, is also a highlight of the week for many. Between the hours of 1000-1130hrs, mud kitchen toddlers operates alongside the normal playgroup session. This is an opportunity, for parents to see how things have changed for themselves in recent times. Plus eat toast,drink tea and meet other families!
‘My vision for playgroup, is one where children feel safe, secure and loved- so then they are free to get in with the serious business of learning through play’ says Rebecca.
If you would like any further information about GRINDLEFORD AND EYAM PLAYGROUP please either contact the Supervisor on 07812425561 or use our contact form.
I don’t know if Chinese New Year has passed you by, but for us at playgroup, it has expanded to cover two weeks! During and after our Friday mud kitchen session, a dragon was created and enjoyed for hours by the playgroup kids. The dragon took centre stage at lunch, during outside play and in the story.
As I look back over the delights of this week at playgroup – chinese dragon-creating, baking melting moments, tackling mini assault courses, Candlemas at Grindleford church, stick sculptures at Forest School – I am struck by the array of opportunities our children have. Your children also afford us so many opportunities for growth and development, all in the name of childcare, dragons included!
Grindleford and Eyam Playgroup 