Hutton Cranswick Playgroup was established in 1969 in the Methodist Hall in Cranswick and we are still here today! Over the years we have seen many changes and have grown and developed to provide sessions for children aged two-and-a-half to five years, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
In October 2017 Playgroup achieved a good report from the Government’s Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted).
Hutton Cranswick Playgroup is a registered charity – Registered Charity Number 1034331 – run by trustees who are elected every year at the Annual General Meeting. The trustees are responsible for decision making, fundraising and adhering to Ofsted policies. In addition we have a fundraising committee who organise events to raise much needed funds.
We are a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance and all staff responsible for childcare attend regular training sessions to keep them fully up to date with childcare and education issues. They also attend first aid training every three years.
We passionately believe that we are a welcoming playgroup and a vital part of our village. We work hard in fostering great community spirit. Our children regularly visit the Tuesday afternoon pop in at the W.I. Hall to share their baking or entertain with the latest songs they have learnt. Every year the children work together to create a Remembrance Day poppy and place it at the village war memorial. They donate items for St Peter’s Church’s ‘Love in a shoebox’ appeal and pack the shoeboxes themselves. We are great supporters of Village in Bloom and enter the Yorkshire in Bloom young people’s awards, achieving a gold in our category in 2019.
Our Playgroup staff have developed good relationships with the staff at Hutton Cranswick C.P. School and work together to ensure smooth transitions. The children attend each other’s Christmas plays and we take the opportunity to visit the school setting when possible; an example being pre-school children visiting the newly hatched chicks in the Reception Class.
Our aim is to provide a warm and caring environment in which your child is offered stimulating experiences through play and is encouraged to develop their imagination, creativity and independence. It is also our hope that friendships will develop and that your child will feel trusting and secure within the Playgroup setting.
The Staff
Here at Hutton Cranswick Playgroup we have a team of qualified, dedicated experienced supervisors who are responsible for the day to day running of the Playgroup. They do a wonderful job of planning a suitable and varied curriculum as well as caring for all children who attend each session.
Elaine Baker
Manger