General Information

Address

Kilmood Playgroup
St Mary's Church Hall
Kilmood Church Road
Killinchy
Co. Down
BT23 6SA

Playgroup Leader

Mrs Anne Dempster : Tel No: 028 9754 1868 / ** Mobile No: 0775 2039036
(** Please note This number should only be used in the event of an emergency during Playgroup hours).

Playgroup Committee

The Playgroup Committee is responsible for the finances, fundraising and employment of staff. Meetings of the Committee are held on a regular basis. This committee is made up of parents and all parents are encouraged to support various activities throughout the year.

Registration & Insurance

The Group is registered and insured with NIPPA, - The Early Years Organisation which provides advice, training and support at any time if required. We are also registered with the local Health and Social Services Board. In addition to an Annual Inspection, a representative of the Board visits the Group on a regular basis.

Hours of Opening

The Group is open five mornings a week from 9.00am to 12.00pm, Monday to Friday. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. It has places for 26 pre-school children in the morning and 24 in the afternoon.

Snacks

Children are encouraged not to bring sweets and snacks. These will be set aside until the child is going home. Milk and a healthy snack are provided free of charge at mid-morning. Water will be provided for children not taking milk.

Toys

Children are discouraged from bringing toys and the playgroup will not be held responsible for anything lost or damaged. (However, a comforter or special toy will be accepted if required by the child).

Clothing

Children's clothing needs to be named. Your child will be working with sand, water, paint, glue etc. Aprons are provided and sensible clothes should be worn.

Sweatshirts

Sweatshirts, polo shirts and fleeces with the Playgroup logo can be ordered through the Group.

Circulars

Circulars are given to parents during the year to keep them informed of general information and holidays. Curriculum plans are displayed in the Group and a parents letter is distributed each month to children in their final pre-school year.

Illness

  1. Parents are asked not to bring into the playgroup any child who has been vomiting or had diarrhoea until at least 24 hours has elapsed since the last attack.
  2. Please keep your child at home if they have any infectious illness.
  3. In the event of a child becoming ill or injured, every attempt is made to contact a parent or substitute carer. Should the child's carer be unavailable, the Playgroup Leader will decide on the best course of action.

Collecting Children

Playgroup Staff must be informed of who will normally be collecting children and of any changes from routine.
Please use extensive car parking facilities at the rear of the building. For safety reasons do not park close to the door as pedestrians are entering and exiting the building.

Outings

An outing is organised each year eg The Ark Farm or Castle Espie, whereby parent will be asked to sign a consent form.

Visitors

Various visitors eg Dentist, Community Police, Librarian, Photographer, Multi-Cultural Visitor, Artist, Hedgehog Lady etc are invited to the Playgroup throughout the year. The NIPPA Adviser, Health Visitor and Social Worker also call into the Playgroup.

Parties

Christmas parties are a great success each year when entertainment is provided e.g magical clown and of course not forgetting a visit from Santa Claus.

ROSPA

ROSPA is the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland Road Safety Education Officer Service. The Playgroup receives an allowance each year from the above to spend in the ROSPA catalogue containing safety teaching aids. ROSPA believes it is vital that all children are made aware, at the earliest age, of the importance of safety issues. Children gain important knowledge in a simple, fun way.