About 6 years ago DS2 and DIL spent a long time going round various pre-schools, nurseries and playgroups looking for somewhere where the ethos chimed with the way they wanted to bring up their first child. After a recommendation from a friend, they found a small playgroup in a nearby village. It's held in a tiny, shabby church hall but had a large play area - one half grassy, the other covered in bark chippings where all the play equipment was sited.
The lady who runs it spent quite a lot of time with them, explaining how they operate and very importantly what their values are which they want to pass on to the children. When she said that the children play out in all weathers except the very worst, and please don't send your child in 'good' clothes because they will come home covered in paint, soil, mud, etc, it was just what Mum and Dad wanted. They were happy to help with the potty training stage, and had a healthy eating policy. Morning snack was whatever the child chose from the fruit bowl. But over and above all that, the playgroup leader and her staff were clearly wonderful with the children. Two members of staff are her adult son and daughter. Her son is a great bear of a man, but so gentle and clearly in his element and her daughter is equally very happy to be caring for children.
Our GD1 loved her playgroup and the teachers and when she left 4 years ago the whole family felt it had been the right choice. So it was the obvious choice for GD2 as well. GD2 is an adventurous confident little girl with a wicked sense of humour. Even on the first day she waved mummy goodbye without a backward glance. Every time I've collected her she has thrown herself into my arms saying what a great time she's had.
But, with school looming in September, it was time to say goodbye. There were cakes, raffles, tombola, sports (GD2 was very proud when she came second in the sack race!) and then all at once it was 'goodbyes'. Each child who was leaving was called up in turn and presented with a lovely file of their time at the playgroup as well as a colourful story book. Each teacher gave each child a hug, and it became clear why the head had taken a box of tissues onto the mat! Their affection and care for each child was obvious.
Afterwards, GD2 was very quiet as her other granny and I walked down the lane back to the car. She walked slower and slower and then stopped and burst into tears. I was glad I'd got two hankies by that time!
The photo's not very good, I zoomed in a bit hard and I'm having a bit of trouble with leaky eyes at the moment.
It is indeed the end of an era, for GD2, and me!
The lady who runs it spent quite a lot of time with them, explaining how they operate and very importantly what their values are which they want to pass on to the children. When she said that the children play out in all weathers except the very worst, and please don't send your child in 'good' clothes because they will come home covered in paint, soil, mud, etc, it was just what Mum and Dad wanted. They were happy to help with the potty training stage, and had a healthy eating policy. Morning snack was whatever the child chose from the fruit bowl. But over and above all that, the playgroup leader and her staff were clearly wonderful with the children. Two members of staff are her adult son and daughter. Her son is a great bear of a man, but so gentle and clearly in his element and her daughter is equally very happy to be caring for children.
Our GD1 loved her playgroup and the teachers and when she left 4 years ago the whole family felt it had been the right choice. So it was the obvious choice for GD2 as well. GD2 is an adventurous confident little girl with a wicked sense of humour. Even on the first day she waved mummy goodbye without a backward glance. Every time I've collected her she has thrown herself into my arms saying what a great time she's had.
But, with school looming in September, it was time to say goodbye. There were cakes, raffles, tombola, sports (GD2 was very proud when she came second in the sack race!) and then all at once it was 'goodbyes'. Each child who was leaving was called up in turn and presented with a lovely file of their time at the playgroup as well as a colourful story book. Each teacher gave each child a hug, and it became clear why the head had taken a box of tissues onto the mat! Their affection and care for each child was obvious.
Afterwards, GD2 was very quiet as her other granny and I walked down the lane back to the car. She walked slower and slower and then stopped and burst into tears. I was glad I'd got two hankies by that time!
The photo's not very good, I zoomed in a bit hard and I'm having a bit of trouble with leaky eyes at the moment.
It is indeed the end of an era, for GD2, and me!
She'll get her comeuppance eventually!
Comment