-
Status
Received: on time
-
Income
£55.4K
-
Spending
£55.7K
Public benefits
The direct benefits which flow from the purpose of Ballymacward Pre-School Playgroup include improved learning and educational outcomes for children under statutory school age and their personal development as young individuals who are eager and able to learn and respectful of difference. These benefits are evidenced through independent
assessment by organisations such as the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) which provides inspection services for the Department of Education. The most recent ETI report, in March 2015, stated that “the quality of education provided by this playgroup is very good. The playgroup is meeting very effectively the educational and pastoral needs of the children; and has demonstrated its capacity for sustained self-improvement”. The inspection report also stated that “the children are confident, well motivated and have a very positive attitude to their learning; they are respectful to the staff and one another”. Benefits are further evidenced through the number of enrolments in the playgroup and feedback received from parents and carers of the children. The most recent ETI report included a confidential questionnaire completed by parents/carers and opportunity to provide additional written comments. The ETI report stated that “all of the returns from the questionnaires indicated very high levels of satisfaction with all aspects of the work of the playgroup. The written responses were very positive”. The Playgroup is registered with the local Health and Social Care Trust and is annually inspected to ensure it is maintaining the requirements of the Children (NI) Order 1995 which regulates ‘early years provision’ - an umbrella term describing a range of structured childcare and educational approaches supporting young children. The Playgroup also receives advice and support from Early Years - a charity and membership-based organisation, formerly known as the Northern Ireland Pre-School Playgroup Association, which provides information and training for parents, childcare providers, employers and local authorities. It supports the development of quality services and a broad-based play curriculum in its member groups. The Ballymacward Pre-School Playgroup has a designated Early Years Specialist providing advice to its staff. No harm arises from the purpose of Ballymacward Pre-School Playgroup. The direct beneficiaries of this purpose are children under statutory school age from the Lisburn and Belfast area and its surrounding environs in County Antrim. Children benefit from good quality early years experience, it enriches their learning potential and encourages their all round development. There is a wider benefit to the local community which flows from the purpose – namely through encouraging and providing opportunities for voluntary and community activity involving parents and other members of the public and stakeholders from the local area. Playgroup activities in support of its purpose provide a focal point for community engagement for many families experiencing rural isolation; as well as catalysing cross-sectoral collaborative working and partnership approaches to advancing education and community development. The Playgroup’s support for the values and principles of early years provision inspires civic values with regard to, for example, promoting volunteerism; fostering a culture of listening to children; and inclusion through diversity and respect for others. Involvement of parents/carers, volunteers and other stakeholders in the organised activities of the Playgroup provides the processes and means to promote, sustain and increase individual and collective knowledge of early years issues and expertise. The only private benefit flowing from this purpose is the salaried employment of staff at Ballymacward Pre-School Playgroup to lead provision of early years and childcare services – this is incidental and a necessary consequence of the organisation carrying out
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
The Playgroup develops and delivers high quality early childhood education and care services for children and their families. It operates from purpose built accommodation and is able to use the neighbouring school’s playground, community park and indoor multi-purpose hall. An Inspection Report by the Education and Training Inspectorate noted that
the classroom is “well laid out into distinct areas for learning” and “the staff have a very good understanding of the pre-school curriculum and provide a wide range of effective learning opportunities for the children. The daily routines are well organised and managed providing very good opportunities for the children to develop their independence and language skills”. The report added that “the playgroup gives very good attention to promoting healthy eating and physical activity through the provision of a healthy snack and the opportunities for energetic play”. As a member of the Early Years network, the Playgroup receives specialist guidance to ensure best practice informs its services. The Playgroup provides a wide range of volunteering opportunities for parents and members of the local community. This enhances individual and collective knowledge of early years provision. This includes membership of its Management Committee. It includes wider engagement opportunities for adults, and children from the neighbouring primary school, to volunteer as, for example, readers of stories to the Playgroup; or parents providing supervisory support on visits to external venues. An extensive and diverse range of community-based events is organised by the Playgroup. These include Christmas concerts, sponsored walks, fundraising and other events bringing families and the wider community together. This is particularly important in the rural setting in which many of the Playgroup children live – this helps to tackle rural isolation and provides a focal point for developing wider community activism and enhancing social cohesion.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of education
- The advancement of citizenship or community development
Who the charity helps
- Parents
- Preschool (0-5 year olds)
- Volunteers
How the charity works
- Playgroup/after schools
