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Little Villagers

Registered

  • Charity no. 110763
  • Date registered. 25/07/2025

Public benefits

What are the direct benefits flowing from your organisation's purposes? Children aged 3–4 experience improved cognitive, social, and emotional development through structured play-based learning in a nurturing environment. The setting promotes early literacy, numeracy, communication, and physical coordination, helping children build confidence and

prepare for school. Children benefit from improved mental health, routine, and social interaction. Families gain access to affordable childcare, parenting support, and inclusive community engagement. The playgroup also contributes to broader social inclusion, early intervention, and community wellbeing by fostering partnerships with parents, statutory bodies, and other early years professionals. How can the benefits identified above be demonstrated? The benefits are demonstrated through regular observation, assessment, and reporting on each child’s development, learning progress, and wellbeing. Feedback from parents, carers, and external agencies provides evidence of the positive impact on families. Participation levels, parent involvement, and ongoing evaluation of activities further reflect the effectiveness of the service. External inspections and adherence to Early Years standards also verify that the group meets developmental and educational goals. Community engagement and partnerships demonstrate the wider social benefit. Is there any harm arising from any of the purposes? No. The purposes of the organisation focus on the advancement of education and the promotion of health and wellbeing through play-based learning in a safe, inclusive environment. All activities are designed with the welfare of young children and their families in mind. Any potential minimal risks (e.g. minor accidents during play) are mitigated through robust safeguarding policies, qualified staff, health and safety procedures, and supervision protocols. These risks are common in all early years settings and are well-managed and outweighed by the significant benefits to beneficiaries. Who are the charity's beneficiaries? The primary beneficiaries of Little Villagers Playgroup are children aged 3 to 4 years living in the Southern area of County Armagh and its surrounding environs. The charity also benefits: Parents and carers of those children, by offering support, involvement in early education, and opportunities for engagement in the group. The wider community, by promoting inclusion, child development, and wellbeing through early years education and play. Volunteers and staff, through opportunities for professional development and involvement in meaningful community work. Is there any private benefit flowing from any of the purposes? Yes, there is some private benefit, but it is incidental and necessary to achieving the charity’s purposes. The main example of private benefit is: Wages or remuneration paid to staff members (e.g. playgroup leaders, assistants, administrators) for delivering the educational and developmental services provided by the group. These payments are essential to the functioning of the playgroup and the delivery of high-quality early years education. The benefit received by these individuals is strictly limited to what is necessary to carry out their roles and ensure the group meets its objectives. There are no other significant private benefits beyond what is necessary to operate the organisation effectively and legally.

What your organisation does

Little Villagers Playgroup provides a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment where young children (under statutory school age) learn and develop through structured, play-based activities. The group delivers pre-school education that supports children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development, in line with the principles of

Early Years. The playgroup operates daily sessions staffed by trained early years practitioners and supported by volunteers. Activities are designed to promote communication, motor skills, confidence, independence, and interaction with peers. Parents and carers are encouraged to be actively involved in the group’s operation and activities, recognising their role as first educators. The organisation also supports families through informal advice, inclusive practice, and community engagement. It promotes health and wellbeing among children, encourages respect for diversity, and ensures that all children, including those with additional needs, are supported to reach their full potential.

The charity’s classifications

  • The advancement of education
  • The advancement of health or the saving of lives

Who the charity helps

  • Children (5-13 year olds)
  • General public
  • General public
  • Physical disabilities

How the charity works

  • Advice/advocacy/information
  • Community development
  • Community development
  • Playgroup/after schools

Charitable purposes

The Group is established to promote play based learning environments for all children under statutory school age, (hereinafter referred to as the beneficiaries) of the Southern and its surrounding environs in County Armagh. (hereinafter called the ‘area of benefit’) without distinction of age, gender, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, political or religious opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, community and voluntary organisations and the inhabitants in a common effort to advance education, and in particular: a) to advance the education of the beneficiaries by the provision of safe and satisfying group play, with the right of parents/carers to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of the group; and to promote the preservation of health of the beneficiaries; and b) to support the values and principles of Early Years.

Governing document

Constitution

Other name

  • 5 Trustees
  • 0 Employees
  • 0 Volunteers

Trustee board

  • Mrs Helen Scott
  • Mrs Joanne Armstrong
  • Mr Glenn Baird
  • Mrs Samantha Fletcher
  • Mrs Sara Markey

Contact details

Public Address

Mrs Joanne Armstrong, Little Villagers Playgroup, 2 Springhill Road, Glenanne, Armagh, BT60 2LF

List of regions

  • In Northern Ireland
  • Armagh City, Banbridge And Craigavon Council

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