About us
Bathampton Playgroup is run by enthusiastic, qualified and experienced staff who help to create a friendly and happy environment facilitating children’s development through play, with plenty of individual care and attention.
Playgroup also encourages parents and carers to volunteer as helpers. The children really enjoy being able to show their familes what they can do at Playgroup. As a charity we are a not-for-profit organisation and are managed by an annually elected voluntary committee made up of parents.
Families choose our Playgroup for many reasons, an important one being it’s excellent link with Bathampton Primary School which was rated outstanding in it’s last OFSTED inspection.
Our team
This is the Bathampton Playgroup staff team. We have a number of years of childcare experience and have a great mix of strengths and skills to ensure that we offer the children a broad range of activities and experiences. We are passionate about providing high quality child care using open ended resources that fire the imagination.
Lisa Nash BA (Hons) Playgroup Leader
Lisa has worked at the Playgroup since 2010 although was involved in the Playgroup as a parent helper for a number of years prior to her employment. She has a level 3 Diploma in the Children and Young Person’s Workforce and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. She also has a degree from the University of Wales, Bangor in The German Language and Modern Germany. Lisa has 2 children of her own.
Emma Mcguinness BA (Hons) Playgroup Deputy Leader
Emma has a CACHE Diploma Level 2 for the Children and Young People’s Workforce. Emma has a degree in English Literature, and has studied and contributed within Steiner early years settings. She has enjoyed working with children within a children’s bookshop, and has more recently been involved with gardening and baking outdoors with enthusiastic groups!
Cara Peterson
Vacancies
If you are interested in working with us please click here to see our vacancies.
Sessions
Bathampton Playgroup opens at Bathampton Village Hall and the opening hours are:
- Monday 8.30 – 1.00pm
- Tuesday 8.30 – 3.00pm
- Wednesday 8.30 – 1.00pm
- Friday 8.30 – 12.00pm
Parents can drop their child from either 8.30am or from 9.00am. Children can be collected at 12 noon or can stay for lunch and be collected at 1pm or 3pm on a Tuesday.
Fees
We are eligible to provide free child are through the Early Years Entitlement grant for children aged 3 to school age. We also accept the 2 year funding for those children that qualify. Children who do not yet qualify will be charged our hourly rate of £6. If your child attends two or more settings you will now be able to use their funding as you wish, choosing what hours you use in each setting. Any hours not covered by the grant will be charged at our hourly rate of £6.
For more information on EYE Funding please visit the BANES website: Click here.
We accept some childcare vouchers so check with your employer as this can be a very tax efficient method of paying for childcare.
Please view our Terms & Conditions.
Voluntary Donations
Playgroup is a charity and the level of funding that we receive for 3 and 4 year old children is now not sufficient to cover our running costs for staff salaries, village hall hire, insurance and supplies such as craft materials and printer ink, outdoor equipment and other important learning resources.
In order to maintain the high level of care and learning that playgroup provides for your child we are now asking parents to make a donation of £1 per funded hour, for example if your child attends 3 fully funded sessions per week on a Monday (9-1), Tuesday (9-3) and Wednesday (9-1) then we are asking for a donation of £14.00 per week during term time.
This is a voluntary donation and we will not be chasing payment.
We strongly believe that the Playgroup is an important asset to Bathampton and to the wider community, in preparing children for school and laying strong foundations for learning.
Making a financial contribution to the playgroup will help us to continue to serve the community now and into the future.