The Playgroup

The Lacey Green Playgroup was started by Mrs Diane Bradley about 1967, (click Wyndham & Diane Bradley for Diane's life story.)

Hallmark August 1983 (extract). The aim of the playgroup is to introduce children of 3 years - 5 years to the delights of mixing and playing with other children and to being used to being supervised by other people than 'Mum'. It is only 2 mornings a week for 3 hours each morning, and is a gradual introduction to the joys of school at 5 years.

The children can paint, play with sand, or pastry, use glue and other delightfully messy substances and are free to take part in these activities or to just make friends and play generally together. a short eriod is set aside for a drink and a biscuit, and to get together for a chat, a story and to sing songs. The playgroup has always had a very relaxed and happy atmosphere.

One of the supervisors is retiring at Christmas after 5 years so there is need of a replacement. If anyone would like to know more about this, please contact Marion Proctor on P.R. 54....or Sue Parslow on P.R. 67... (click Doug & Sue Parslow for more about Sue)

Hallmark June 1989. by Pat Attridge. The playgroup continues to run very successfully on a Wednesday and Friday morning each week during termtim We have a lovely group of children who join us to exercise their skills in becoming future artists, musicians and possibly even brain surgeons!

Our parents give us very necessary support both in our fund-raising and our social events. Earlier this month the children spent a busy morning making biscuits and cakes to serve to their parents during an ‘open morning’. Everybody had a wonderful time (even some of the fathers were brave enough to attend) and we even managed to raise some more funds for much-needed equipment.

Sunday June 11 until Saturday June 17 is the Pre-School Playgroup Association's National Play Week 1989. This years theme is ‘Learn through Play'. Lacey Green and Loosley Row playgroup and nursery will be combining forces on Wednesday June 14 so that everyone may come to see the activities that are on offer to the under 5's in the village.

Hallmark September 1989 by Pat Attridge

It is good to be back with the children and amazing to see just how much they have changed in just six weeks! We have all settled straight away into a happy routine with lots of lovely new equipment to explore. Our parents have been marvellous during the holidays, helping us to clean and repair a great deal of our existing toys and they have produced many beautiful and imaginative items for our 'dressing-up rail' - Lacey Green Productions look out!

Our numbers have increased rapidly during recent months and only a few places now remain which is a very pleasing situation for us

During September the playgroup were lucky enough to be invited to visit the ‘Day Centre’ in Princes Risborough. We took seventeen children and eleven mothers with us on the bus. (Most of the children had never been on a bus before so that in itself was a very exciting experience). We were made extremely welcome by Derek and his staff at the Centre and we all had a very enjoyable morning playing in their garden and meeting new people. We were all very impressed with the work that they do and hope very much that they will come to visit us some day.

Later this term we hope to walk to Stocken Farm, weather permitting, to see the animals and hear about the work involved from Mrs. West. We are very grateful to her for offering us this opportunity. I am sure the children will enjoy themselves immensely.

Hallmark December 1989. Playgroup and Nursery Class To Combine to become Windmills Under Fives report by Pat Attridge

In January 1990 the Playgroup and Nursery will be combining to form one group which will run on four mornings each week. This decision was made after a vote was taken from our existing parents, the majority of whom agree that this arrangemnt will be both beneficial to the children and to the streamlining of the administrative side of the group. The existing nursery will transfer to a unit within the playgroup so that all 'ages and stages' will be well catered for.