A Typical Day

We promote free play, whereby children are able to choose what they play with and for how long and spend time moving around between whatever toy or activity they wish for the majority of their session.

Weather permitting, the children often wish to play outside but our youngest children sometimes struggle to choose what to play with so we set out toys and activities each morning, which can be changed if requested, with our staff participating and playing along with them.

We have two toilet blocks equipped with changing areas, small child friendly lavatories and wash basins. We encourage children to use these whenever they feel the need and make sure the suggestion is put forward regularly, just in case they forget. It is advised that each child bring a change of clothes and underwear too as even if they don’t have an ‘accident’, the children thoroughly enjoy our sand and water play which gets very messy and wet.

Also, we request that on sunny days, each child brings a sunhat and sun cream applied before their session. If they are with us all day it is advisable to send a named bottle of sun cream in their bag so that we may administer a top up if it is a particularly warm day.

At around 10am a nutritious snack and water or milk is offered, we ask that a named water bottle is sent in and a contribution is made to our snack pot weekly or monthly so that we can fund these provisions.

Afternoon and all-day children sit down for their healthy packed lunch brought from home at 12pm and spend 30 minutes eating and engaging with their peers, whilst sitting nicely in preparation for what will be expected from them at school.

The transition to school is further eased for older children with educational and age specific activities along with free flow visits between the Reception class of St Margaret’s Primary School and Playgroup. During these afternoons, the gate between the two settings is opened and the children can explore an Early Years school environment to familiarize themselves and allay any fears they may have.

Events such as our Easter Parade and concert, May Day dance, Summer Fayre and our Christmas Play are always well received along with visits from exciting outside entertainers such as magicians, music groups, sensory tutors, wildlife and animal guides and those who help in the community such as the Police, Fire Brigade and Healthcare professionals.