BELMONT PLAYGROUP

9.00am Greeting and Registration Time

9.15am-10.55am Free Play- including small group play. 

9.45-10.30am Snack Time 

10.55am-11am Tidy Up Time 

11.00am-11.15am Story Time/Songs and Rhyme Time 

11.20am-11.55am Outdoor Play  

11.55am Home Time

Our curriculum focuses on the 4 areas of learning:

• Personal, Social, Emotional Development
• Language Development
• Cognitive Development
• Physical Development

We also work on the “I Can” indicators. These indicators were taken from the “I can” book written by the Early Years Organisation. They are used for observation taking and staff look for specific areas of development for this age group. Each staff member has a group of 8 children they are key worker for.

For snack time, we encourage children to enjoy a time to relax with each other at the snack table and have a snack. We promote healthy foods at Belmont Playgroup, and any special dietary requirements will be arranged. Fresh fruit, bread sticks, toast, crackers; milk and water are the basic foods the children are offered. Our snack menu is displayed in the foyer.

Your child’s first day at playroom will be a fun and very important one for them. When children arrive at Belmont Playcare, they use the foyer to leave coats, bag etc. and the staff will help them to settle in. For children who are feeling a little anxious over this change, please find some useful tips on our Mindfulness page.

We follow specific policies and procedures; including a Health & Safety, Recruitment, Child Protection and Participation, as well as a number of other policies. All relevant policy documents can be found in the Policy File on the display in the foyer and a comprehensive list is supplied via our website as well. 

Belmont Playcare offers places five mornings a week – Families can select:

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Sessions Between 9.00 – 11.55 am.
• Tuesday & Thursday Sessions Between 9.00 – 11.55 am.
• Full-time places are also available.

Children can start at 2 years + 10 months until pre-school age. 

We are registered to take a maximum of 24 children on any one morning. 

The cost per session is currently (£15.00 from September 2024). 

Please see finance section on how payments of fees can be made and terms and conditions of collection of fees.

Applications Forms are available in the foyer. The application pack outlines how playgroup works and at the back is a simple application form for the Playgroup which can be submitted between June and the closing date.

1. Children who were born between 2nd July 2022 to 1st July 2023 who have siblings currently attending Belmont Playgroup and those siblings have selected Belmont Playcare in their 1st choice in the EA Playcare Application Form.

2. Children who were born between 2nd July 2022 and 31st December 2022 who have:

 i. siblings currently attending Belmont Playcare;

 ii. siblings who have previously attended Belmont Playgroup or Belmont Playcare;

 iii. parents currently employed by Belmont Playcare.

3. Children who were born between 1st January 2023 and 1st July 2023 who have:

 i. siblings currently attending Belmont Playcare;

 ii. siblings who have previously attended Belmont Playgroup or Belmont Playcare;

iii. parents currently employed by Belmont Playcare.

4. Children who were born between 2nd July 2022 and 1st July 2023 whose siblings will be attending Belmont Primary School during the playgroup applicant’s admission year.

5. Children who were born between 2nd July 2022 and 1st July 2023.

There are 48 places available and these are normally 24 for 3 mornings (Mon, Wed, Fri) and 24 for 2 mornings (Tues, Thurs). 

WE CAN ALSO ACCOMMODATE FAMILIES WHO NEED FULL-TIME PLACES. 

According to Social Services guidelines, we are permitted to have only 4 children under the age of 3 attending playgroup at any time. Therefore, start dates are carefully considered and staggered according to children’s birthdays and not all children will be able to start as soon as they reach 2 years and 10 months of age.

Once the closing date has passed, (12 noon on Friday the 29th February) we allocate playgroup places according to the admissions criteria above and inform everyone of the outcome. Successful applicants will be sent an offer letter detailing the session that has been allocated, playgroup terms and conditions, and their child’s start date.

You will be required to confirm acceptance of your offer, by a particular date.

Uniforms can be purchased online or in-person with our uniform supplier, School Days. Also, on a warm sunny day, it is advised that children are wearing sun protection before they are brought into the playroom.