About Us

 

Friars Centre Playgroup is managed by a voluntary committee. We opened in 1974, operating from two rooms in Friars Community Centre, adjacent to Shoeburyness Library.

 

Our playgroup is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

 

We take children from 2 years of age we also provide funded early education for 2,3 and 4 year old children. We are open  days a week during term time and also operate a lunch club.

 

Most of our children come from the local community and surrounding areas.

 

We currently supports a number of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

 

We employ 10 members of staff all of which hold appropriate early years qualifications.

 

Our staff have a secure knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. They understand that children learn best through play and provide a safe, happy and stimulating environment to encourage their play.

 

Our children form strong attachments to the adults caring for them. All children are assigned a key person who builds a relationship with the child and their immediate family. They gather good information from parents to meet children's needs. Children are therefore happy, settled and eager to come to the playgroup to see their friends and try new activities. Good behaviour is promoted through the reinforcement of clear rules and boundaries and through staff offering regular praise and encouragement. This promotes children's self-confidence and self-esteem.