We are part of the North Eastern Education and Library Board.
Castlerock Playgroup are inspected on a regular basis from their ETI Department.
We are registered with The Early Years Organisation who provided regular training / workshops for staff, committee and parents. We also have a designated Early Years Specialist who visits us regularly offering advice, support, up-to-date information in all aspects of the curriculum for pre-schools ensuring we continue to provide high quality care and education for your child. Our playgroup is registered with and inspected annually by Social Services; we therefore adhere to the standards and regulations defined by the Causeway Health and Social Care Trust. Castlerock Community Playgroup is insured for 24 children per morning with the ratio of 1 adult per 8 children.
The Playgroup has be functioning in Castlerock for many years. We are led to believe the the initial group took place in local family homes, until they took up residency in the Peter Thompson Hall in the early 1980’s. Playgroup has served a vital service for our local community, providing opportunities for children to mix socially, play, develop and gain new skills. In 2008 the Peter Thompson Hall undertook extensive refurbishments and we proudly re-opened in 2009 in a bright, warm, spacious new room with modern furniture.
Our playgroup has been sustained throughout the years by a combination of Board funding (of which there is never enough), the staff dedication, and most importantly by the support of the Management Committee and the financial contributions from parents and local community through fundraising events.
We are a cross-community playgroup.
The Local Education Authority offers all four year olds a free education place, and Castlerock Community Playgroup can offer 24 such places as well as the option of fee-paying places in our afternoon sessions subject to demand.
