Local Playgroups Providing ‘Outstanding’ Quality

Chief Executive of Early Years – The Organisation for Young Children Siobhan Fitzpatrick welcomed the findings and congratulated the Jolly Jesters, Rainbow Pre-school and the Old Station Daycare playgroups and the other 19 playgroups evaluated as ‘outstanding’ or ‘very good’: ‘This recognition from the Education and Training Inspectorate highlights the high-quality pre-school experience for children provided by the sector. I am particularly encouraged by the high number of playgroups that have achieved this outstanding accolade. The commitment from the staff and the voluntary management committees that support them ensure these great achievements and allow for an outstanding provision for our young children in their early years, something that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. This endorsement from the Minister of Education validates the need for continued investment in the sector and early years.’ She emphasised that the staff of these three playgroups and the 19 other highly rated playgroups ‘regularly go over and above in their delivery of the curriculum in imaginative and creative ways to engage the children and deliver excellence’. Staff members Noel Thompson from Jolly Jesters Playgroup, Janice Owens from Rainbow Pre-School and Claire Ross from Old Station Daycare were invited to a reception at Stormont on Monday afternoon with Education Minister John O’Dowd to celebrate their playgroups’ success, along with Siobhan Fitzpatrick in recognition of the support provided by Early Years.]]>