Outstanding in all areas

Mrs Kennaugh stated that “the management of all aspects of children’s learning and welfare is exemplary in the setting” and that “children make outstanding progress in their learning“.

In her findings she noted that the key strengths include “the very high quality of interaction between the staff and children, the exceptional use of the local community and involvement of parents to enhance the learning experience”.

She went on to observe that the “children are very happy and secure in a highly inclusive and welcoming environment where expectations are high” and that the children “feel…very safe and secure. They are confident when asking staff for help, demonstrating a sense of security with familiar adults“.

Obviously the safety and well being of our children are of the highest priority for the playgroup, as noted by the inspector: “Safeguarding of the setting is robust due to rigorous procedures and policies to keep children protected“.

According to Mrs Kennaugh, our staff are “highly motivated” and they also “plan superbly to help children learn about different countries, cultures and faiths, especially any linked to children attending”. Parents in particular are “highly enthusiastic when praising staff and are extremely well informed about their children’s progress“.

Our garden, of which we are particularly proud, is given a glowing report with the inspector quoting that “children enjoy planting a wide variety of fruit and vegetables in the large, attractive garden where children can choose to play outside.…promoting exercise, and this is possible even in wet weather due to the organisation of the outdoor area“.

In fact, the only room for improvement was “enhancing the opportunities for parents to contribute to children’s learning records”: a point we have noted and will act upon together with our parents.

All in all, we are very proud of our outstanding status as all the staff, committee members and parents work very hard, but with much love, to ensure our children are happy, safe and enjoy learning through play – all now recognised officially by Ofsted.

And of course, a big congratulations to all our children who so impressed our Ofsted inspector on the day.

For the full report, please see: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/CARE/301962

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During the recent snowy weather, we enjoyed building snowmen and ice painting in our garden. We’ve also been learning about different cultural experiences from our children’s parents – we’ve been dancing to panpipes and learning all about the art of sushi making and Japanese writing. Thanks to the parents for their involvement which is enjoyed by everyone.

We’ve also been out and about again in Ilkley. We enjoyed watching the Pancake Race along The Grove on Pancake Day and if you’ve been to the library recently you’ll have seen our art exhibition from a trip we had there. Please take a look at the photos below.

Make sure to watch this space for photos of our involvement in the Ilkley Carnival….

Having fun "camping"

Enjoying baking cupcakes

Playing our instruments

Building a snowman in our garden

Ice painting!

Playing with the tyre in the snow

A bit of messy time

Dancing to Frida's Daddy's panpipes

Roo's mum reading us a Japanese story

Learning how to make sushi

Not entirely convinced I like sushi!

A lesson in Japanese writing

Watching the Pancake Race on The Grove

Our visit to the library

Ladies Night June 2011

Shopping, Treats & Eats

Following the huge success of last Summer’s Ladies Night which was enjoyed by over 100 ladies and which raised a lot of money for the pre-school, we are pleased to announce that we are going to be holding another one on:

Wednesday, June 27th 2012 at the Clarke Foley Centre in Ilkley from 8pm.

Ladies of all ages will have the opportunity to enjoy some retail therapy as well as some well deserved pampering. There will be cakes and hot drinks (and wine) available.

We already have many stall holders confirmed so it’s going to be a good night!

Ladies Night June 2011

Tickets are £5 (which include refreshments) and are available by calling 07754 793644 or by calling in at Ilkley Pre-School Playgroup.

We hope to see you there.

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But don’t just take our word for it, here are a selection of some of the great things our mums have been saying about us. If you would like to have a chat with any of the mums or committee members, please call us on 07754 793644 and we’ll be happy to arrange it.

“My little girl wants to go to preschool every single day, even at the weekends” – Jo, mum of Kiera

“My daughter has always been very shy, but sending her to Ilkley Preschool Playgroup has really increased her independence which makes me happy” – Laura, mum of Tessie

“My son loved going to preschool and was very sad when he left to go to All Saints. His sister has just started and she loves it just as much as he did” – Leonie, mum of Brinley and Elin

“My son says: ‘mummy, why can’t I do “showing” every day?” – Beth, mum of Archie

“Watching the children playing in the garden is like being in a country playground” – Louise, mum of Sam

“Sending my son to the pre-school was the best decision I’ve made” – Sue, mum of Oscar

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Case Studies – Archie & Oscar

We know that every child is different and reacts in different ways to the new experience of pre-school. Below are two case studies featuring Archie,3, and Oscar, 4. Archie is still at the pre-school and Oscar started at All Saints Primary School in September 2011.

1. Case Study – Archie, by Archie’s mum Beth

When Archie first started at pre-school aged 2.5years, we initially had a challenging few weeks.  Whilst he had attended many mother and toddler groups with me, and spent time apart from me with grandparents, he had not up until that point been left alone at a nursery or playgroup.  Archie was attending two sessions a week and was very tearful at both drop off and pick up time, as you can imagine that made me feel awful!

The pre-school staff were very helpful and would ring me at home to let me know that he was ok once I had left.  On discussing the matter further with them, they pointed out that Archie seemed to be fine when he was engrossed in a particular activity but got very upset at change over times.  To help with this one of the playgroup leaders sat and helped Archie make a ‘clock’ that featured all the different activities that make up a pre-school session.  This meant he could see ahead what was coming next and helped him better deal with the change of activities.  He could also clearly see when home time was coming.  This device worked really well for him, he brought it home and showed me and took it to every session he attended over the next few weeks, until he was confident and sure in what to expect.

In a matter of weeks he was much happier going to school and was joining in with ‘show and tell’ and other activities.  I was really pleased with the way the staff helped Archie settle in and found a solution that worked for him specifically.

I am pleased to say Archie now absolutely loves playgroup and goes running in without a backward glance!  He is perfectly at ease with all the playgroup leaders and the other children and thrives on the independence and stimulation he gets there.

2. Case Study – Oscar, by Oscar’s mum Sue

Oscar joined Ilkley Preschool Playgroup in September 2009. He was always an active and energetic boy and liked making new friends so I wasn’t worried about the social aspect and I knew that he would settle in easily.

Prior to signing up, I was shown around the playgroup and was able to observe all the children having fun playing as well as sitting together to eat their snacks and doing “show and tell” in the quiet room. My first thought was that Oscar would never be able to sit still as he never did at home or at any mums and toddler playgroups we had attended and I was slightly concerned.

However, I needn’t have worried. Within a few sessions, he was sitting and listening intently at story times and listening to other children talking at “showing time”. He loved it and he loved the attention the staff gave him and he loved playing with the other children. He would queue to wash hands, was very polite and the knock on effect was that he would sit still all through mealtimes at home as well. He was still just as active and energetic, but at the right times.

He has since moved on to All Saints school which he is really enjoying and I believe that sending him to Ilkley Preschool Playgroup provided the right foundation for him to do that. His brother is starting in May 2012.

If you would like to speak to Beth, Archie’s mum or Sue, Oscar’s mum about their experiences, please call 07754 793644 and we’ll be happy to arrange it.

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