About Ballymoney Playgroup
Ballymoney Community Playgroup provides preschool care and education for 3-5 year olds.
Ballymoney Playgroup Description
The group has been successfully running for over 30 years and in 2008 received a very good grade in their inspection by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland (DENI). In April 2015 the playgroup successfully achieved Accreditation status from Early Years the Organisation for Young Children. The group operates five mornings per week from 9. 00am until 11. 30am and five afternoons from 1. 00pm to 3. 30pm at Trinity Church Hall. The Playgroup is registered with the Causeway Health and Social Services Trust and is affiliated to the Early Years Organisation. A Management Committee is elected by and from the parents at the Annual General Meeting.
STAFF
Playgroup Leader - Michelle Spence - Currently completing QCF 5 in Early Years Leadership and Management, NVQ 3 in Early Years, First Aid Trained, Designated Child Protection Officer and Fire Safety trained.
Deputy Leaders - Barbara Hill & Eileen Elliott - NVQ 3 Early Years, Child Protection trained, First Aid trained and Fire Safety trained
Playgroup Assistants - Linda Glass NVQ 3 Early Years, Child Protection trained, First Aid trained and Fire Safety trained.
Caroline Hunter - Currently completing NVQ 3 Early Years, NVQ2 Early Years, Child Protection trained, First Aid trained and Fire Safety trained.
All staff are trained in Voice of the Child and Media Initiative for Children.
Our staff ratios exceed that stated by Health & Social Services which is one staff to 8 children in playgroup and one staff to 3 children on outings.
OUR CURRICULUM
We at playgroup provide the following activities
Sand, Water, Paint, Dough /Clay, Junk Art, Construction, Table Top Toys, Writing & Drawing, Small World Toys, Home Corner, Music, Cookery, Physical Play, Wood Work. We promote the six areas of learning through these activities.
Reviews
Hi folks. Well October was a really busy month. We had walks to the Trim Trail and also a visit to the library as well as endless fun in playgroup. We are looking forward to a wee break this week. Playgroup is closed this incoming week and Monday 5th November for staff training. We will reopen on Tuesday 6th November. We hope you all have a really great time off and are excited to hear all about your children's adventures when we come back. See you soon xo
Hi folks, just a reminder that our Parent’s night/Agm will be held tomorrow (Thursday)evening at 7 pm. As there is quite a lot on in the halls tomorrow night we will be hosting this in the playroom. We would appreciate if you could leave a wee comment if you are planning on attending, just to give us an idea of numbers and also note that there will be limited parking tomorrow night so please use other car parks. We look forward to seeing you, Thanks 😃😃
A few wee photos
Photos of our Autumn walk
Hi could all afternoon parents please check their jumpers as a child was missing theirs at home time. Thanks everyone
Just a wee quick post to say how super proud we are of all our little ones. We had our Autumn walk today at the Trim Trail and they were fantastic. Thanks also to all our helpers. We really appreciated it. 😁😁
Love this ❤
So far we have had a very busy start to October and our Autumn investigations. Here is a wee look at what we have been up to.
Hi everyone a child from the morning session has lost a jumper. Could all parents check the name tag on their jumpers as sometimes they fall on the floor and get muddled up. Thanks everyone.
Tomorrow's the 1st October and this month we will be learning about Autumn. Could I ask parents to please bring in some lovely autumn leaves, twigs and conkers. We have lots of activities planned around natural materials. I'm especially looking for lots and lots of conkers!! Your help is appreciated 😁😁
We have had a very busy and productive September. We are delighted that the children have all settled into playgroup really well. Here is a little snippet of life in playgroup. We have been very busy exploring, making friends, learning about lots of new things and getting used to playgroup and our new routines.
Hi everyone one of the afternoon children has lost their jumper so could all parents have a we look to see if they lifted the wrong jumper.
And let there be light lol. Our electric is back on and we will be open as normal. Thanks for bearing with us xx
Hi folks. The power has gone out in Trinity. At present we are intending on stayng open however should the power not be on by 2 pm we will close at 2 30 pm. It is entirely up to each individual family if you choose to send your child to playgroup today. We understand everyone circumstances are different. Sorry for the inconvenience. Please share Thanks
Morning everyone. There is a funeral in Trinity today and family and friends will be at the hall from 12 on. Parking will be very limited.Could we ask parents if you arrive early just to come on up to the hall outside playgroup and wait there. Many thanks
Hi folks. There is apparently a storm brewing. We will be open as normal tomorrow unless specifically told to close by the Education Authority and if that happens we will update the page . Please take care coming and going from playgroup. Remember safety first ! Many thanks xx