FIG PLAYGROUP
The first five years are an important time of growth and learning for any child. Our playgroup aims to provide children with a safe, happy atmosphere, ensuring that children who have additional needs have the opportunity to learn and play alongside other neighbourhood children, and in which each child can explore their potential and develop at their own pace.
The Playgroup provides the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) and our primary aims for children are for them to:
• Be safe at all times.
• Be treated, first and foremost, as individuals.
• Have the opportunity to experience activities and equipment not always available
at home.
• Develop skills and understanding in a stimulating and supportive environment.
• Meet and interact with other children from the neighbourhood.
• Have access to the same activities as other children of the same age.
• Be prepared for, and ready to start school.
Children attending our playgroup have the opportunity to learn new experiences in their early years which are appropriate to their individual needs, and will support them to reach their potential. As far as possible it is our aim to provide pre-school learning experiences that take into account the needs and potential of each child attending the playgroup, and we aim to minimise the difficulties that children may experience.
Many children who attend the playgroup have speech difficulties and we have been successful in a bid for funding from BBC Children in Need for a Speech Project within the playgroup. Through this funding our Speech Worker is responsible for planning activities which will help to improve children’s speech development. These activities take place within the playgroup with children either one to one or in small groups. The activities are fun and enjoyable for all the children who take part.
The playgroup is run by a team of staff qualified in childcare and education. Our staff are also trained in caring for children with additional needs and we ensure that staff continue to develop their skills through further training whenever possible. All childcare provided by FIG is registered with, and inspected by OFSTED.
Free Places
We provide up to 30 hours of free childcare through Early Education Entitlement (EEE) funding for eligible 2, 3 and 4 year old children. We also provide Tax Free Childcare. Please contact us to discuss this and to see if/when your child may be eligible for a free nursery place.
Full information about Early Education Entitlement and Tax Free childcare is available online at
https://familyserviceshub.havering.gov.uk/kb5/havering/directory/family.page?familychannel=1.
If you are unable to access this information online please call The Family Information Service on 0800 678 1991.
