Rev Ruth Crompton has informed us of the intention to close the long-established Toll Gavel United Church Pre-school Playgroup, which was started by Toll Gavel parents in 1969 and has provided a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for pre-school children for 42 years.
Some Toll Gavel grandparents have seen their children and grandchildren in turn enjoy the benefits of the popular playgroup. Rev. Crompton thanked the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Ofsted specialists for their immense support over the years.
However, recent national changes have had a dramatic effect on the playgroup. The start of the national “one entry per year into schools” policy for children at the age of 4, and the subsequent availability of more capacity for three year-olds in Nursery School, has resulted in a reduction in the number of children needing the services of the playgroup.
Children now attending playgroup are almost all aged 2, and numbers have been lower than for many years. The need to maintain a ratio of one member of staff to four children aged 2, (compared with eight children aged three), has greatly increased staffing costs. Sadly, it has been determined by the Church community that the playgroup should close at the end of December.
The playgroup has benefited from dedicated staff with extensive qualifications and experience which has resulted in quality child care provision. Parents have praised the playgroup for the care and encouragement given to their children, and certainly anyone who has visited has been delighted by the exuberance, confidence and happiness which the children have so readily demonstrated.
Parents and families of children who have attended over the 42 years are invited to a short Service of Thanksgiving for the Playgroup which will be held at Toll Gavel United Church on Tuesday, 18th December, at 7 p.m. There will be refreshments afterwards and an opportunity to chat and reminisce with other families.
