Playgroup

We provide funded placements for pre-school education for children aged 3 – 5 in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Scottish Pre-School Play Association (SPPA). Each child is entitled to a maximum of 5 funded sessions per week.

We take a maximum of 20 children at any one session.

We have two enrolment dates per year, October and February.

We are registered with the Care Commission, Galloway Business Centre, Crichton Business Park, Bankend Road, Dumfries DG1 4ZZ, and are inspected by them annually. We are also inspected by HMIe (the school inspectors) as and when required. Copies of our most recent reports are available on request or online.

We provide a wide range of activities to encourage children’s development within the five main areas of the curriculum:-

Social,Emotional & Personal Development:

Various games promote turn and sharing, and help the children appreciate and understand the feelings and needs of others. Children are supported to develop confidence and self-esteem through encouragement to take part in  group discussions. Independence in all areas is encouraged. A positive attitude towards others is promoted through learning about other cultural and religious festivals.

Communication & Language:

The children come together at snack time when they are encouraged to share news and express thoughts and feeling. They are encouraged to listen, think, and respond, thus building confidence in their ability to communicate effectively. Songs, rhymes and stories are also employed to aid development in this area.

Knowledge & Understanding of the World:

Tabletop toys  which help the children to grasp the concept of sorting. Matching, grouping and counting: planting seeds and caring for them; nature walks around the playgroup environs – all these activities broaden children’s horizons and give them an awareness and appreciation of their environment.

Expressive & Aesthetic Development:

Children are encouraged to express thoughts and feelings and act out experiences through various media – a wide range of art and craft activities, opportunities to create their own music and rhythms, dance and movement sessions and varied opportunities for role  play.

Physical Development & Movement:

Puzzles and construction toys help to develop fine motor skills. Movement and dance sessions encourage children to explore a range of ways in which to use their bodies, eg jumping, hopping, skipping, etc.
We have an outdoor play area with play equipment  which is utilised by the children as often as possible.

Aims & Objectives:

We aim to provide a secure and happy environment within our playgroup, enabling children to communicate freely and to develop and learn through play. Children should leave playgroup more confident, eager and enthusiastic learners who are looking forward to school. To this end, we provide a wide and varied range of activities and play opportunities encompassing all aspects of the pre-school education curriculum.

Our playgroup is owned and run by the parents and children attending. Each year we elect a committee who manage the group on behalf of all parents. Parents and other carers are occasionally required to help in the playroom and many value this opportunity to share playgroup with their child. Kelton Playgroup cannot continue to exist without parent’s support and participation.

Children will be encouraged to participate at all times, however, no child will be forced to participate. Children must be involved and encouraged to make decisions. Kelton Playgroup supports the view that children be treated with dignity and respect at all times and that they should be encouraged to realise their potential. We aim to achieve this by:-

• Providing opportunities for children to express their views, exercise choice, and where possible, to influence the activities in playgroup.
• Actively consult children and value their views.
• Enable children to make informed choices.
• Provide opportunities for children to learn about healthy lifestyles, hygiene, diet and personal safety.
• Treat everyone equally and fairly.
• Provide opportunities to be involved in the evaluation of the playgroup.

Confidentiality & Open Access

Any information held by playgroup in relation to a child will be held in the strictest confidence in line with the Department of Education’s guidelines, details of each child’s progress within the pre-school curriculum are recorded by playleaders on a regular basis, and a written report will be provided to each parent/carer at the end of the playgroup year.

Awards For All:

In July 2008, we received an Awards For All grant of £6,500, which has been put to good use upgrading the hall, purchasing new work stations and having a soft play surface layered in our outdoor play area.

We would welcome anyone wishing to visit Kelton Playgroup and answer any questions or queries you may have.