Aims and Objectives
At Penhill Playgroup we aim to create a happy and secure environment where the children are provided with opportunities to learn through playing, creating and exploring. Our children are encouraged to achieve independence and, with support, develop towards their Early Learning Goals.
We aim to treat each child as unique; identifying their individual needs and making them feel secure and valued. Their early years experience should be happy, active, exciting, fun and secure; and support their development, care and learning needs so that they can move confidently on to school with a desire to learn that has been engendered by the playgroup. A confident child will be happy to make the transition from Playgroup to “Big School”.
Our setting enables children to develop their personalities, talents andabilities irrespective of ethnicity, culture or religion, home language, family background, learning difficulties, disabilities or gender.
Observation and achievement records are kept to monitor children’s progress through the play based curriculum. In this way, any child with additional needs can be identified and any necessary professional help sought.
Penhill Playgroup is OFSTED inspected and a Registered Provider under the West Sussex County Council Early Childhood Service for Free Entitlement (Early Years Provision) for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. We can accommodate up to 30 children per session aged between two and a half and five years old. The children are cared for by qualified staff with a high ratio (we aim to maintain a ratio of 1 staff member for every 6 children aged over 3 and 1 staff member for every 4 children aged under 3).
At Penhill Playgroup, we aim to make pre-school fun and to equip the children with the necessary skills of caring and sharing, learned through interaction with other children.
A wide range of activities are offered to satisfy curious minds, including painting, water play, glueing, playdough, chalking, crayoning, sand pit, role-play, and many creative projects. We aim to encourage children to explore and learn through play and direction using equipment provided. There is a home corner to give children an opportunity for imaginative play and children are encouraged to use the book corner. There is time set aside daily for songs, rhymes and stories and on most fine days the children spend time outside with a variety of tricycles and wheeled toys, to develop gross motor skills.
Starting School in 2025?
Applications open on Monday 7th October 2024 and close on Wednesday 15th January 2025
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/school-places/apply/starting-school-places/
Local schools holding tours or open days
Sompting Village Primary
Our Stay and Play session runs on a Tuesday afternoon, 12.30pm - 2.30pm, term time only.
No need to book, just turn up.
*** From November 15th 2024 , Friday Stay and Play sessions will return, 12.30pm - 2.30pm, term time only ***
" I enjoy the Stay and Play with my son" Parent Leaver, 2021
"The Play and Stay groups have been my saviour. I've met some life long friends and had so many wonderful times with you all" Stay and Play parent, 2020
"Walking into Toddler group that day, pregnant and very scared, I never thought I would end up with the most amazing friends for life!" Stay and Play Parent, 2020
Penhill Playgroup currently runs a Stay and Play (parent, carer and toddler group) once a week, on a Tuesday, 12.30pm - 2.30pm, term time only, for a small charge. (£2 per session for the first child and an additional 50p for each extra child you bring). It provides an opportunity for mums/dads and carers to enjoy meeting others in a friendly and safe environment. Refreshments are provided for both adults and children and Playgroup staff are on hand to ensure the group runs smoothly. However, children are the responsibility of their parents and carers during these sessions.
Activities may include playdough, sand, books, small cars and garage, ride on toys, painting, puzzles, and some arts and crafts. These sessions also provide opportunities for the Playgroup to fundraise and regular cake sales and table sales of second hand clothes, books, toys etc. take place and are well supported.
We have found that children who have come to Stay and Play, settle into Playgroup well because they become familiar with the setting, staff and other children.
Stay and Play Newsletter November 2024 - coming soon.
For more information on how we are ensuring our group remains Covid safe, please read through our Stay and Play Risk Assessment.
