SAUL community pre-school playgroup is celebrating after receiving an encouraging inspection report from the Education and Training Inspectorate.
The St Patrick’s Road playgroup received the second highest rating of good for quality of learning provision, leadership and management and outcomes for children.
Playgroup leader, Delia McLaughlin, took over in September last year only to learn that the school was to have an inspection at the end of her first six months.
She explained that staff joined with her working tirelessly over the months, often staying late at night to prepare for the inspection.
“We also had support from our Early Years advisor Megan McConaghy and management committee,”
Delia explained. “We are all delighted to have received the second highest rating and are committed to maintaining this standard of the years to come.”
Accredited by Early Years, the Organisation for Young Children, the playgroup aims to provide quality pre-school care to children aged from two years and 10 months to four years.
Mrs McLoughlin leads a team of play assistants — Rita Magorrian, Maureen Fitzsimons, Pauline Carlin and volunteer Niamh Kearney — to look after the 42 children who attend the morning an afternoon sessions.
The inspectors noted that the playgroup’s provision for The World Around Us and early mathematical experiences were “particular strengths”.
The report also noted: “The quality of interactions between staff and the children is very good. The staff know the children well, engage positively with them and use effective strategies to promote and extend the children’s language and develop their curiosity.
“The staff implement a range of appropriate strategies to support those children with additional needs. The pre-school’s approach to care and welfare impacts positively on learning and teaching and outcomes.”
Education inspectors also highlighted the very good working relationships between staff and children. They said consequently, children appear happy, well settled and are respectful towards adults.”
The leadership and management of the playgroup is also praised, along with its approach to strengthening its links with home through the ‘Big bedtime Read’ initiative which, the report, noted, “has impacted positively on the outcomes for the children”.
One of the parents also added her praise: “I cannot express how much the staff of this small rural playgroup work, fundraise and strive to make everyday a special day for the children in their care.
“The challenges they have faced and overcome with fantastic results during the past 12 months would stun even the most experienced Early Years specialist.”
The mother added that Saul community pre-school was “essential to the sense of community upheld by the locals and plays an intrinsic part in developing and maintaining the relationships and sense of belonging formed, especially for those children moving onto the local feeder school, St Patrick’s Primary”.