Top marks at Happy Days Playgroup
Grace and Teagan playing in the sand INTT2512-120JS
HAPPY DAYS Playgroup has been awarded a prestigious accolade highlighting the quality approach to childcare in the Coalisland pre-school.
“We have been awarded an accreditation through the Early Years Organisation for Young Children,” said Playgroup Leader Clare Forsyth. “It is a top quality award which is held by no other play group in the locality.
“The accessors spent an entire day with us and found that we had met every single target. We are committed to making sure that the children we look after have the very best care and this award proves that we meet the needs of every individual child.
“Two years ago we received an ‘outstanding’ review from the Department of Education inspection and this was the next natural step. We didn’t want to rest on our laurels!”
Now in its 21st year, Happy Days Playgroup is situated in School Lane just outside Coalisland. It is accommodated within a spacious, purpose-built mobile classroom while there has been extensive development of the outdoor play area where the children enjoy ball play, climbing frames and even a garden where they grow their own fruit and veg.
Inside there is even more to do: sand pit, art, dressing up, books and storytelling, drawing and a number of other activities to keep the 24 children busy between 8.45am and noon.
The quality of education and pastoral care provided by Happy Days is outstanding while the management is determined to sustain self-improvement year-on-year.
“We are managed by a committee of parents and staff from the local parish and that gives us a fantastic connection within the community and a first-hand insight into the needs of both children and parents,” said Clare, who has been Playgroup Leader for eight years, and is supported by Deputy Leader Theresa O’Hanlon and Assistant Julie Reilly.
“The involvement of the parents in the running of the playgroup is central to our success. We have even been able to bring in parents to give demonstrations to the children and find out about them and their jobs. One farmer brought in a few animals for the children to see.”
At Happy Days Playgroup the children are confident, highly motivated and engage enthusiastically whilst at play. They explore the play opportunities and continually learn about the world around them in a welcoming, happy and relaxed atmosphere.
“During the accreditation process we were commended for our planning of the programmes, routines and resources which meet the abilities and needs of the children under our care,” Clare concluded. “I would just like to congratulate the staff, committee and parents for making this fantastic achievement possible.”
Happy Days Playgroup can be contacted at 028 8774 6056.
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Weather for Dungannon
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Light rain
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