Playgroup
Rascals Community
About Us
About us....
Rascals Community Playgroup was first opened on the 3rd of November 1989 in the Village Centre, Plumbridge Road, Gortin. The new millenium brought with it new purpose built premises located at the Owenkillew Building in Main Street, Gortin which opened on the 4th September 2000. The group is run by a Management Committee formed from past and present parents.
Our aims are to create a safe and welcoming environment to enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age. To encourage parents/guardians to understand and provide for the needs of their children by offering appropriate play facilities. Parents/guardians can take responsibility for, and become involved in, the activities of the group, ensuring that the Playgroup offers opportunities for all children, regardless of religion, culture, race or means.
We are open five days a week, Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12 Noon. We endeavour to follow the local school holidays calender as much as possible with the exception of their school developement days or training days.
We are registered by Western Health and Social Care Trust on an annual basis and are also inspected by the E.T.I (Education and Training Inspectorate) to evaluate the quality of our provision. An Early Years specialist also visits our establishment offering support to help us maintain our high quality learning environment.
Curriculum
"The curriculum for young children includes the totality of their experiences within the setting. It is not just the play materials but everythig they feel, do, hear and see - adults' behaviour included. All areas of childrens learningn are integrated and qually important"
N.I.P.P.A Valuing Early Childhood
We offer a broad balanced relevant play based curriculum covering all areas of chldrens development. Each child is encouraged to develop at his/her own pace learning through play and other relevant experiences
Starting Playgroup.....
Children are gently introduced to Playgroup over a three week period, this is to allow settlement for the child... and the parent! Registration packs wil be issued to all parents/guardians containing all the information you may need about our Playgroup.
Rascals has acheived the Smart Snacks Award for Healthy Eating. We also take part in the 1-2-3 Dental Health Programme
Policies
Our Playgroup has a comprehensive set of policies including Adult Protection, Anti Bullying, Anti-Sectarian, Child Protection, Complaints, Discipline, Health & Safety and Whistle Blowing should you wish to have a copy of the full list of policies or any policies contained within the list these are available on the parents notice board or alternatively contact the group leader. See Contact Us
Pre- School Inspection
30th May 2012
(last inspection 26th April 2006)
Summary of Report
'In the areas inspected, the quality of education is very good. The Playgroup is meeting very effectively the educational and pastoral needs of the children and has demonstrated its capacity for sustained self-improvement"
"There are many instances of outstanding quality interaction between the staff and the children, staff use every opportunity to promote the childrens learning accross all six areas of the curriculum
"The quality of the arrangements for pastoral care in the playgroup is outstanding. There is a caring atmosphere based on very good working relationships in the playroom among the children, staff, parents and management group"
Key Strengths
* Welcoming, caring, inclusive and safe learning environment
* Children are motivated to learn
* Childrens excellent listening skills and high level of independence
* Skilfull well organised and dedicated leader who is well supported by the hard working staff
Excerpts from the Education and Training Inspectorate Pre-School Inspection for Rascals Community Playgroup, Gortin in May 2012
Full copy available on request