SteppiNJ Stones Playgroup's AnnL￿1 Report for the Year 2022-2023.
The aims of Stepping Stones Playgroup
As all children are diff erent and develop at different rates, SteppiNJ Stones Playgroup aims to
develop the whole child by.
Promoting emotional. social, physical. creative and intellectual development..
Developin9 self-esteem. self-control and positive attitudes towards others:
Developing language and communication skills to encournge sharin9 of thoughts and feelings:
Creatirvj conf ident. eager. enthusiastic. independent, curious learners with a positive and
problem-solving attitude to learnir9.
Most young chi Idren come to Steppirvj Stones Play9roup as active. experienced and enthusiastic
learners. To build on the learning that has taken place in the home and its immediate
environment, pre-school staf f should provide chi Idren with a rich variety of challenging play
activities and other experiences in a stimulatin9 environment. The focus should be on enablin9
chi Idren to learn at their own pace. to have a breadth of learnin9 experiences and gain a
positive image of themselves as resilient learners able to cope with uncertainty, <md to learn
through trial and error.
Young children learn best when: _
They f eel happy and secure in a saf e and stimulatin9 environment that supports thei r well-
being:
Adults are sensitive and understanding in their interactions with the children while extending
thei r learning and development:
The pre-school curriculum is broad and balanced. builds on their needs, and provides time f or
sustained involvement in play:
They have opportunities to investigate and ewe in a wide rarge of activities that are
enjoyable, motivatirg and challergirKJ'
The activities are based on previous learning and are caref ully planned, with some f lexibi lity,.
They have the opportunity to develop concentration and skills such as observir9, makin9
decisions and problem-solvir9: and
Parents/9uardians/corers and other professionals work together in partnership.
Public Benef it statement
To promote play-based learnirg environments for all children under statutory school age in
Ballymoney and District without distinction by associatiNJ the statutory authorities, community
and voluntary organisations and the inhabitants in a common ef f ort to advance education, and in
particular: to advance the education of the benef iciaries by the provision of safe and satisfying
9roup play.
The direct benef its which f low from this purpose include improved learning outcomes,
development, language skills, social inte9ration and emotional well being for al I children involved
in the play school. Other benef its include improved relationships/partnerships with
parents/carers of the children involved with the play9roup.
Our main source of income comes f rom the Department of Education.
At Steppin9 Stones Playgroup our objectives and plaMin9 our activities for the year the
Management Committee have given caref ul consideration to the Charity Commission f or
Northern Ireland's guidance on public benef it to ensure that the activities have helped to
achieve the charitys purpose and provide a benef it to the benef iciaries.