A Typical Playgroup Day

On arrival at Playgroup, the door opens at 9.00am or 12noon, (Thursday & Friday 12:10pm for afternoon session). 

A member of staff opens the door and stands in the entrance greeting the children and taking a register. The children address the staff as Mrs./ Miss./ Mr……. (See photos on the staff and parents notices)

In the entrance all children have a named coat peg with a symbol on it, this symbol is repeated on their name card which is on the table near the coat pegs. The children take their name card and put it in a pot labelled with their key person, this is on the shelf near the kitchen. Any toys may be placed in the showing basket.

Children play with a range of equipment until a bell is rung for ‘register time’. All children sit in the book corner and respond; “here I am” to their name. After register, the children are given information about the day’s activities, including looking at the letter, number or sound of the week.

We use “Jolly Phonics” which encourages letter recognition and sound, activity sheets are available to take home on request.

The children are then invited to “showing time” or to go and play. An adult supervises showing time and children are encouraged to describe to a small group what they have brought to playgroup. Small items (toys/comforters/books/photos) are then kept in the showing basket until home time. Children may bring any item to show, items linked to our theme are especially welcome. Details of our current theme are displayed on the planning wall and in the staff newsletter.

Children then have a free choice of the activities available, staff are happy to provide toys to help children settle – please let us know if your child has any particular favourites.

Between 9.30am and 11.15am snack is offered, there are limited seats at the snack table to encourage children to finish an activity before coming to snack, children are encouraged to have a drink (milk/water) and some snack.

We offer outdoor play whatever the weather so please send your child with outdoor clthes according to the weather.The whole group comes back together to finish the session with either singing/dancing/circle time game or discussion and story.

Children are called from the group by a staff member as their parent/carer arrives and handed any pictures etc. to take home.

Parents/carers are asked to remain in the entrance and wait for their child to be brought out; this enables staff to ensure that all children are collected safely. While waiting, check the hanging ‘pigeon holes’ which are named and remove any correspondence from staff or committee, including bills, rotas and newsletters – sometimes even party invites are found there!

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Snacks

A snack will be provided for each child, which is a self-selection from fruit, vegetables, bread, rice cakes, cereal, houmus, yoghurt etc. and milk and water. If your child has any special dietary requirements, please let the Playgroup Leader know. Water will be available for the children at all times throughout the session and the children will be encouraged to help themselves to a drink when thirsty.

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