A group of parents started Torphins Playgroup approximately 30 years ago and it has run continuously ever since. It first operated out of a small room in a Church in the village and has subsequently moved around available premises throughout the village at one time occupying a classroom in the local primary school. The moves were largely due to the expansion of the village and the increasing number of children who attended.
Over the last 25 years those in the Childcare sector have been witness to major changes in the standards of education and child protection and Torphins Playgroup has taken these on board and has steadily increased its reputation.
For the last six years Torphins Playgroup has rented Ha’berry from Mid Deeside Church, a residential bungalow that has had some modifications to accommodate our needs. Torphins Playgroup is not only very well respected in the village but has also received recognition from the HMIe (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education) and the SPPA (Scottish Pre-School Play Association) gaining an QA award naming the group as one of the top 5 Playgroups in the North East of Scotland.
The Playgroup currently runs five morning sessions a week (18 children aged 3-5 years per session). We run afternoon sessions as demand increases. At present we have 22 children who attend.
The Scottish Executive are striving to improve the standards of pre-school care and education and Torphins Playgroup are committed to maintaining the height standards required. We are optimistic that we can stay abreast of changes, facilitating the constant high quality of care and education we have striven to provide over the past 30 years.
Torphins Playgroup is in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council Education and Recreation. We follow curricular guidelines as set out by the Scottish Executive and are registered with the Care Commission enabling us to provide places for children in their ante-pre-school year.
Throughout the year we plan activities, which provide opportunities for the children to gain knowledge and understanding of the world around them along with a range of experiences to simulate and enhance their growing range of skills.
Within the daily format of playgroup are areas such as house/dressing up corner, sand or water, book corner, story time, puzzles, games, art and crafts, all of which all help the children to develop and extend their learning.
Our range of activities also includes cooking, nature walks, singing, music movement, painting, printing and gardening to name but a few.
