View source for Windmills Under Fives

click [[Organisations for Children]] for others

Click [[Windmills Under 5s Preschool]] for reports and photos after May 1999. 

'''Windmills Under Fives was the amalgamation of [[The Playgroup]] and the [[Nursery Class]]'''

'''Hallmark May 1999.'''   Report by Annie Sheppard

As we start the new summer term, we can hardly believe how quickly our time has gone whilst based at Hampden, and the news that we could be anticipating an October return to the new Village Hall and back to Lacey Green. In the meantime we have taken full advantage of our outside surroundings and were able to present a glorious Easter Fun Day complete with an Easter Egg Hunt in the orchard. We had a wonderful response from the parents to make Easter bonnets, and these were beautifully modelled by all the children in our Easter Parade. Together with a tremendous supply of home-made cakes and generous donations for the Easter Egg raffle, a wonderful morning was had by all.

Windmill Under 5’s achieved outstanding results in our recent Ofsted and Social Services report, which greatly reflects all the hard work and the calibre of staff we are lucky enough to have running this popular play group, especially after undertaking a recent move in premises. In particular we were very pleased to receive satisfactory results in promoting all the desirable outcomes for children’s learning, and have been recommended that the next inspection takes place within 2 - 4 years.  We received particular praise for our programme to promote children’s knowledge and understanding of the world, and creative development.

Windmills Under Fives continued as [[Windmill Under 5s Preschool]].

'''Hallmark November 1998.'''  Report by Annie Sheppard

We are happy to report that Playgroup has happily settled in a new term in it’s new temporary hall. As you all must be aware, we are now operating from Hampden Village Hall whilst work starts on our new [[Village Hall]]. Children and mums have all adapted well to the change of route and all love there new surroundings. Our new term themes have been directly associated with “Our home and where we live”, and this in return has given the hall some wonderful pictures and artistic creations to decorate our new walls and display areas.

For our four year olds who attend our Tuesday Nursery session, there have been some wonderful worm and bug explorations in the enclosed garden area and because of the unusually mild start to the Autumn have already enjoyed their first ramble in the woods complete with wellington boots to help them with their nature worksheets. This is only the start of a very busy agenda for all our children throughout the seasons.

Even though we are away from the village community, we are still keeping our links with you all.  This will include our yearly visit from our photographer in November for those important Christmas present prints and our full run up of activities to Christmas with the children’s play, Christmas party and Raffle.

'''Hallmark May 1998.'''    Reporting Annie Sheppard

We’ve had a wonderful start to the new Summer term with an excellent week of Easter events and superb fund-raising. Complete with a sponsored dressing-up week, beautifully created Easter bonnets and a very busy Open Morning, it was a pleasure to see so many new and regular faces coming through our doors. Our thanks to you all.

The Spring term also saw the results of our Ofsted inspection which greatly reflected all the major hard work our supervisor and her staff have put in over the last year and we are pleased to announce the results were very successful.  Full copies of the report are available and have been presented to all parents and guardians.  Bearing this in mind, it has given us great enthusiasm to further implement these standards for our huge move to our temporary venue at '''Hampden Village Hall''' ‘while the new Village Hall here is being constructed. Our final term will be a very sentimental time yet with great anticipation at the thought of returning to a brand new building. Our best wishes to all who are starting their final term with us before starting school and a big welcome to those due to join us in the new Autumn term.

For further ‘information on Windmill Under 5’s or to arrange a visit please telephone Leanda Thomas on 01844 343200. You will also see our new Windmill Under 5’s poster, hand drawn by our own children and judged by local artist, Brian Panter on most local notice boards.

'''Hallmark November 1997.'''  We are now well into our final term of 1997 after completing our Autumn theme  by looking at  Weather, Colours and Keeping Warm.

We will now be busily preparing for our Christmas events with the childrens own Christmas Play, performed for parents, family and friends - plus refreshments afterwards.  We have also been invited to join the older children at the school's own Christmas service and equally as special, meet some of the younger members at the church for a special nativity pram service.   

We will finish the term with an end of term party complete with a childrens' entertainer and expect a surprise appearance from a very special visitor.   For further information ring Leanda Thomas on PR 343200

'''Hallmark September 1995'''.   Report by Linda Gaffin

After a very busy year we finished the summer term with a Teddy Bear's Picnic and fun day at the sports field.  All the family were invited and the weather was very kind to us – lots of sun lotion was called for. The children really enjoyed the paddling pools and the races and even better when the Sports Club laid on the sprinkler for us.  Sadly we had to say goodbye to Pat Cater who left playgroup to take up her full time position at St.John's.

We would like to thank all the mums who helped to raise the funds which helped to pay for the improvements to the ladies cloakroom and the redecoration of the main hall at the [[Village Hall]] and to Tim Colsell, one of the dad's who offered his services for this work. The mum's had offered to come along with their paint brushes but it was decided that we needed a more professional job!!  We are sure that all those who have seen the hall will agree he did a superb job.

We also did well at [[Village Day]] with a special prize for our aeroplanes so ingeniously designed by Leanda and which the children made ‘all by themselves’. Also, the picture made by the children of the windmill for the [[Village Day]] art competition also received a special recommendation and it was decided to have this I framed and donated to the Village Hall. Playgroup has been run at the village hall for over 25 years and we hope we have helped in some way towards its upkeep.

I shall be ‘moving on’ to school in September but would just like to say I have enjoyed my time on the Playgroup committee. I did not want to ‘get involved’ but am glad I did and have had some very enjoyable times with my children and everyone at playgroup.

Playgroup is held Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30 am – 12 noon with a Nursery morning for the rising fives on Tuesday, 9.30 am – 12 noon. For any further information please do not hesitate to contact Leanda.

'''Hallmark January 1995.'''  Report by Linda Gaffin

Everyone had a very busy but enjoyable term before Christmas - the children's nativity play was a great success and Father Christmas's visit at the end of term party made the day.

At the beginning of this term Social Services made their annual inspection at Playgroup – we felt that we would like to share some of their comments with the village to show that we not only have a very successful village school but excellent pre-schooling thanks to Leanda and her team and everyone involved with running the Playgroup – which we have discovered is in its 27th year!

'''Extracts from the Social Services Adviser's Assessment:'''

"Lacey Green is a community group run by a committee of parents for children aged 3 – 5 years.

Two committee members were present during the inspection visit. They are enthusiastic and supportive to playgroup staff.  The committee attends to the business side of the organisation as well as organising several big fund-raising events to cover costs other than rent and wages which are covered by fees. The group, as a whole, are very committed to training.  Funds are made available to pay for training courses.  The supervisor, Leanda Thomas, is PPA Foundation Course trained, the rest of the staff have all completed the ten week Playgroup Course.....

The Tuesday session caters for just 12 children offering more table based structured activities for the older children. Staff collaborate on projects throughout the term and children are encouraged to further develop skills which will ease the transition to school.  Folders of work are produced for the children to take home.....

This Playgroup generally provides a ratio of one adult to six children. Today there were twenty children attending. Four staff and two committee members were caring for the children. I have observed the care of children in this group to be excellent. Staff work alongside the children at the childrens level. Children are valued, listened to and encouraged towards independence.  Small group work is especially valuable at times.  Staff achieve this by careful planning and management.  The committee support this work by ensuring ancillary tasks such as collection of fees are undertaken, staff are thus allowed to concentrate on child care practice.....

Overall, staff and committee have worked together to ensure that Windmill Under Fives Group is a safe, caring and educational environment for local children.

Well Done!

'''Hallmark January 1994.'''   Report by Linda Gaffin

Windmill Under Fives Playgroup are very much alive and kicking Seven of our ‘old timers’ left recently to go to St. John's but were quickly replaced by children from new families recently moved into the village. We have very few spaces available any day proving that this is still a very popular and friendly playgroup.

On Wednesday, March 16th we are planning to hold a 'Cafe' morning and would like to invite all parents of children at Playgroup and Nursery to join us. This is an informal get together to enable new mums to see their children at play and meet everyone at Playgroup.

Our Easter Fun Day on Sunday, 20th March in the Village Hall is the third year we have staged this event – start getting together your ideas for the Easter Bonnet competition – to be judged by a local personality!   Join us for a day primarily for children but with craft stalls, home made cakes and refreshments we hope to make this into a happy pre-Easter Family event.  And we have offered to donate some of the money raised towards the Playground Appeal.

Anyone needing any information about Windmill Under Fives please contact Leanda Thomas on 0844 347217

'''Hallmark April 1992.   The Windmills Under-Fives''', that is, the play-school and nursery class now amalgamated, held in the Village Hall each morning during term time.   The first village play-group was started by Mrs Diane Bradley about 1966.   Also Mothers and Toddlers Club that meets the 1st, 3rd and 4th Thursday afternoons, to enable the small children to meet and play together, and mums to talk about their problems over a cup of tea.

are lucky enough to have running this popular play-group.  If you would like to know more, or arrange to see our group in action at their new venue, please contact Leanda Thomas on 01844 343200. We are also funded by the Early Years Partnership plan which offers grant funding to all four-year olds.[[File:Leanda.jpg|thumb|Sam and Alex rushed to give Leanda a hug when they spotted her at the fete.]]
[[File:Play School Nativity 1999.jpg|left|thumb|Playschool Nativity 1999]]
'''Hallmark January 1992.'''   Report by Linda Gaffin  

Quite a few of our ‘old members' moved onto ‘higher education' at the beginning of the autumn term and we wish them all every success. Most of the Committee also ‘moved on' and we would like to express our thanks to them for all the hard work they put in to keep the playgroup running. We would also like to welcome our new assistants Sandra and Jackie! This was a very hectic first term, a week of walks (in spite of inclement weather), activity days and a very enjoyable Harvest Festival and Christmas time.

The children performed their play "The Night Before Christmas' at the Church, and to their families and the 8lst Club at the Village Hall and a very enjoyable morning was had by all, helped by the mince pies and sherry! The Christmas party was a great success especially with the arrival of Father Christmas. We would all like to thank him for coming!

Quite a few events were held, Sales of Clothes, Books Craft and a Table Top Sale all of which helped to supplement the funds to buy new equipment. Thanks to all who helped run and support these events.

A nursery class was introduced to the ‘rising fives' on Tuesday mornings which has proved a great success thanks to the enthusiasm of our new nursery teacher Pat Cater and new ideas are being introduced by our Playgroup leader Leanda all the time to entertain and stimulated the children.

'''Hallmark August 1998.'''

As we gradually approach the end of the final Summer Term, we all poignantly look back on all the past years and wonderful times Playgroup have given to so many children in the old [[Village Hall]]. Now we eagerly look ahead to starting the new Autumn term in our temporary venue at '''Hampden Village Hall''' while the new Village Hall is being constructed. We would like to extend a warm welcome to those planning to join us in the Autumn, and send our best wishes to all our current four-year olds due to leave us for the big school playground.

Windmill Under Fives received outstanding results in our recent Ofsted and Social Services report, which greatly reflects all the hard work and the calibre of staff we are lucky enough to have running this popular play-group.  If you would like to know more, or arrange to see our group in action at their new venue, please contact Leanda Thomas on 01844 343200. We are also funded by the Early Years Partnership plan which offers grant funding to all four-year olds.

'''Hallmark January 1990.'''  report by Pat Attridge.   The amalgamation of the Playgroup and Nursery  groups is proving to be very successful, both from the point of view of the staff and the children. Administration is very much easier and, most important, we are able to offer the children a much more comprehensive range of activities, aimed directly at their individual needs, than we were before.

Our numbers are still very healthy, most places having been taken now until September. We are looking forward to the Spring and the prospect of being able to play outside!  We hope to be able to take the children on various outings during the summer term.

We would like to take this opportunity to say 'Thank you' to Pam Dell and Norman Russell who have looked after us so very well in the past, been so obliging when we have required extra facilities at the Village Hall for fundraising, meetings etc.

Anyone interested is very welcome to come and visit us. We can only accept children into the group after their third birthday, but younger children are welcome, if their parents are willing to stay with them.

'''Hallmark December 1988.'''  report by Patience Rowden.   We have now joined forces and are running as one organisation.  Our nursery teacher, Jean Lewton, is leaing in the new year to move to Strasbourg.   We would like to thank her for all her invaluable help and wish her and her family best wishes for the future.   If there is anybody you know of with suitable qualifications we would be delighted tohear from you.