ABOUT US

Fowlmere Playgroup has been part of the local community since 1977.

As a registered charity (no. 1024798), Fowlmere Playgroup is run by a committee of volunteer parents and friends and is Ofsted registered for 20 children aged from 2 years to school age.

Playgroup staff, in partnership with the parent committee volunteers, plan their curriculum around the seven areas of learning and development within the early years foundation stage curriculum.

Through play with adult support, the children will be able to learn & develop the following skills:

Communication & language
Physical development
Personal, social & emotional development
Literacy
Maths
Understanding the world
Expressive arts and design

The activities that the children are offered are fun, and help develop the children’s confidence, independence, imagination as well as helping them acquire new skills in preparation for primary school. Children are encouraged to make choices from a range of resources offered and with adult support are able to grow in self confidence and develop at their own pace.

Our Mission

We aim to help each child develop independence, enjoy learning and reach their potential, in surroundings where they feel safe and happy. We offer an engaging, warm and caring environment that combines play and learning to support children’s development.

Our staff are skilled, kind and committed, and enable us to cater to each child and family’s unique needs on their journey through the Early Years Foundation Stage. By building positive relationships and encouraging friendship and respect, we aim to help children grow in confidence, value their differences and thrive.

Fowlmere Playgroup currently employs three members of staff on permanent contracts. All staff members are trained in First Aid and attend various training days and workshops throughout the year to further develop their skills. Fowlmere playgroup also has a bank of casual members of staff, allowing for cover during staff absence, to try and avoid unnecessary closure.

Jasmine Redrup - Playgroup Manager

Jasmine started working at Fowlmere Playgroup in January 2016 and took over as Manager in April 2018. Jasmine has only ever worked with children of early years age. After having her own son and being given fantastic support from early years professionals, she became passionate to give this high-quality support and care to other children and families.

Qualifications and courses attended:

CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Children and Young People's Workforce
NCFE CACHE Level 4 - Early Years Advanced Practitioner
OCR Level 3 National Diploma in Health, Social Care and Early Years.
EYFS Training
Child Protection for Designated Personnel
Special Educational Need Co-Ordinator (SENCO)
Paediatric First Aid Training
Having Fun with Phonics Course
Level 2 Food Hygiene
ECAT (Every Child a Talker) training
Female Genital Mutilation training
NCFE CACHE level 2 certificate in Understanding Childhood Experiences
Trauma Informed Practice
Domestic Abuse training
Safer Recruitment training
Prevent Duty
Supporting Families Wellbeing and Mental Health

Verity Smith - Deputy Playgroup Manager

Verity started working at Playgroup in January 2017. She studied childcare at college and worked in a nursery for 3 years before becoming a mum. On returning back to work, Verity worked within social care for 6 years, caring for the elderly. She has a daughter at secondary school and a son at primary school.

Qualifications and courses attended:

CACHE level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education
Paediatric First Aid Training
Designated Person - Equalities (ENCO)
Designated person - Child Protection
Designated person - LAC (Looked After Children)
Behaviour Management Lead
Level 2 Food Hygiene
Basic Child Protection
Having Fun With Phonics Course
Prevent Duty
Domestic Abuse training
Female Genital Mutilation training
Supporting Boys
Five To Thrive
Trained in Supporting Self Regulation

Alison Sutehall - Playgroup Assistant

Ally started at Playgroup as a volunteer in July 2019 after starting on her Level 3 certification. She completed her qualification in June 2021 and is now a full member of the team. Ally's own two children attended Fowlmere Playgroup and are now both at primary school.

Qualifications and courses attended:

Level 3 Early Years Educator
Basic Child Protection
Prevent Duty
Paediatric First Aid Training
Level 2 Food Hygiene
Domestic Abuse Training
Female Genital Mutilation training
Introduction to Yoga for children

A voluntary parent committee works alongside our team of staff to support day-to-day running, fundraising and other activities. The committee mostly comprises parents of children at playgroup, however anyone can join the committee. Please contact us for further information.

Our AGM is held every October.

As of October 2023, the Committee members are as follows:

Chair - Kayleigh Holwell
Treasurer - Kate Parker
Secretary - Lindsey Crow
Member - Emma Shipman
Member - Nicola Law

OUR STAFF

MEET THE COMMITTEE