Ballymacash PLaygroup is run by a Voluntary Management and operate a Constitution adopted bythe Committee and underthe guidelines & criteria of the EarLyYears Organisation for young children. ij Ballymacash PLaygroup is run by a Voluntary Management Committee who receive training under E8rlyYears Organisation in Governance & Management which they can then implement in managingthe Piaygroup. The Playgroup currently has 38 policies which are reviewed annually. Policies & Procedures. and chiLdcare services are inspected annually by a Social Worker from the HeaLth & Social Care Trust. The Management Committee is made up of Parents of Children who have attended Ballymacash Playgroup and consists of a Chairperson (Mr Stephen Gray), Secretary (Mrs Bernie Reid), Treasurer (Mr Martin McPo18nd). Committee Member (Mr Aidan Mccartney) and Playgroup Leader and non-voting member (Arlene Mcmurray). Policies are made available to all parents in the maln Playgroup Receptlon & copies availabLe on request. Parents are informed of any newly amended policies. Parents are given core policies before their child starts Piaygroup and sign an agreement form to saythey have received. read & understood thern. The Committee meet at least 5 times a year and WILL hold 8n AGM each ye8r in NovemberlDecember. The meetings provide members and the Playgroup st8ff with an update on continuing progress and events happeningwithin the P18ygroup. Safeguarding is always a standing Agenda item. Important happenings and any other issues are discussed & agreed upon. The Financial Accounts are independently examined and along with the Annual Report are approved by the Committeetrrustees and presented to the members at the AGM each year. Ballymacash Playgroup is funded solely bythe fees of parents whose children currently attend the academic year in review {August- July) to provide pre-preschool education to children ranging 2years 10months to statutory primary school age. We provide learning based on CEA guidance of pre-preschooL education in a warm, inviting. safe and stimulating environment. where children can play have fun and at the same time be encouraged and helped bytrained staff. The 6 are8s of learning are Personal. Social & Emotional Development. Physical Development & Movement. Language DeveLopment. Early Mathematical Experiences. The Arts and The World Around Us. We provide a full range of pLay activities appropriate forthe age range, stage and child's abilityto ensure that each child reaches their full potential while cateringfor each chiLd's needs regardless of sex, race. culture, religious or financial background. Children that may need
additional supportget extra help through the Playgroup workingwith external agencies such as Speech & Language. OccupationalTherapists etc. We ensure p8rents are informed of the appLication process to NurserylP1 & children are prepared forthis throughoLrt the year. Parents are encouraged to join the Committee and take an active role in their child's development and activities. Wetake part in Help Kids Talk &Talk Boost Programme. Healthy Snacks & Teeth Brushing. Media Initiative in Respecting Differences and Rufus Handwashing Programme. IA Ballymacash Playgroup believe in Childhood in its own right and offers a place to as many as 60 children each year. The annual inspection process from the HSCTrust ensures we are meeting the standards required. with the quality of service exceeding many areas and the inspection report is made availabLe to parents. The Sensory Room, fully enclosed garden and very well-resourced setting provides a full curriculum of learning opportunlties delivered by consistent staff who continually seek to improve their professional development in attending courses & training offered by Early Years Organisations. The staff maintain and updatetheir core training in Designated Safeguarding Children Officerlchild Protection. Paediatric First Aid, Fire Safety & Manual Handling. Food S8fety Hygiene Level 2 and Data Protection. The fundraising efforts were well supported through the 8SSiStance of the Primary School partnership with the PTA in purchasing repLacement tables. Otherfundingw8s raised through The Teddy Be8rSponsored Walk, Christmas & Easter Crafts, Photo Session Commission, Pre- loved Uniform sales and in lieu of presents donatlons. The Playgroup is now set up for Glft Aid donations. We were able to secure 8 grant of £5927.00 from the Halifax in April24, this enabled us to continue with the costs of the accountant, newtables and extra costs involved with salaries and insurance. L Revie The Committee received status to be registered as a Charity in May 2022 and have been reviewingthe financial situation, they are continuing to applyforfunding applications when criteria are met. The Government launched a new scheme NICSS {Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme) to assist parents in receipt of Tax Free Childcare Vouchers through the Early Years this will assist the new intake and run from September 24to March 25.
The beneficiaries are the children and theirfamili8s who avail of the excellent services provided in the widely diverse demographic area. This has been evidenced bythe positlve feedback from parents both new & returning. The children benefit by being better prepared for theirtransition on their educationaljourney and interactingwith their Peers and Staff in a respectful manner with good social skills. resilience building and self-confidence. they learn to interact and have fun taking part and be creative with problem solving through different opportunities, also learningto be independent and be happy and content in the setting, to develop and achieve to their own individual potentiat. Th8 setting is weLI established 88 a community pygroup and while foLLowing the curriculum, understand that chlld Led playfor the age group benefits the advance of education through the safe, happy 8nd stimuLating environment with the right of Parentlcarers to tske responsibility for. become invoLved and promote the preservation of the health of the beneficiaries and supportthe pri es & values of the Earlyyears. Signed Date Chairperson B Ily acas group