Well that’s another academic year over and this has been the strangest to date! Having had to close back in March, we reopened in June like many other settings and were pleased to welcome back some of our pre schoolers for the final few weeks of the summer term.
It always amazes us how resilient children are, and how much they pick up and understand even when you don’t think they are listening! The children had an understanding of why they had been away from playgroup for so long; ‘because of the virus we had to stay in our house’ and, ‘stay away from people’. They picked up new playgroup routines and new rules about handwashing and using 
hand sanitiser really quickly and the way they adapted was incredible. It was so beneficial to have the children back so that they could interact with their peers too. Social interaction for children is so important to help develop their language skills, creativity, empathy, communication and confidence and these are qualities we strongly encourage and strive to develop in all of our children all year round.
Some things about playgroup have stayed the same, and we have had a lot of fun despite the changes and have loved using the outdoor environment so much to develop our knowledge and understanding of the world. We have enjoyed walks through the corn fields looking for rocks and bugs. We have spent time at our allotment playing in the gravel pit and mud kitchen. This area is being refurbished in the summer holidays to create a space that can be used all year round as an outdoor learning environment which we are very excited about!
On our many walks we also picked some wild flowers and fallen petals and with them decorated our very own butterfly wings to develop our fine motor skills.
We made masks and capes and became ‘germ superheros’, talking about the importance of keeping clean and how this impacts on our general health, whilst at the same time developing our independence.
The end of the academic year also sadly brings many goodbyes to those going to school and we wish them all the best at ‘big school’ and know they will go on to do wonderful things.
We have missed having all of our children back at playgroup but can’t wait for everyone to return in September. We still have some places remaining for September starters and take children from 2 years 6 months, so please email Michelle to request a registration form, alternatively you can look at our website to download it.
It is never too early to put your child’s name down to start with us, as places fill up quickly. We hope that we will be able to offer visits to prospective parents as from September, but until then if you wish to secure a space for your child, we will look forward to hearing from you.
Stay safe and enjoy the Summer everyone!
If you have any questions or would like a registration form please contact Michelle our administrator on
07977 342 742 – email eastingtonplaygroup@hotmail.com or see our website www.eastingtonplaygroup.co.uk
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