7th May 2012

Our Funday has been featured in the Royston Crow & the Royston Weekly News!

29th April 2012

We raised £769.50 from our Funday!!

Big thank you to everyone who came, including staff and stall holders.

15th April 2012

We hope you have all enjoyed your Easter Holidays. We look forward to welcoming you all back, as well as welcoming all our new children and families.

We hope to see you at our 50th Birthday Funday. (See poster below)

We also wanted to make you aware that the consultation on Nursery Class Intake Policy for Sept 2013 opens tomorrow (16th April 2012) - You can download the Consultation document here. Please log on from tomorrow and share your views - https:// consult.hertsdirect.org/ nurseryclassintake2013/

26th February 2012

I am delighted to inform you that we had our OFSTED inspection on 8th February 2012 and were awarded an overall good with 5 outstanding elements.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the children who once again have been praised for their behaviour and of course a big thank you to the staff team for all of their hard work, well done everyone

This is some of what the inspector had to say about us :

"Queens Road Playgroup originally registered in 1962 and following relocation to new premises in 2012, now operates from a purpose-built modular building within the grounds of Ickneild Walk First School in Royston, Hertfordshire. The playgroup serves the local area and has strong links with the local schools. It is accessible to all children and there is a fully enclosed area available for outdoor play. "

"Staff create a very welcoming and safe environment in which all children thrive. Planning is flexible, taking into account children's likes and dislikes, enabling them to enjoy their time at the setting and make good progress in their learning and development."

"Excellent wider partnership working ensures that the needs of all children are met and a consistent approach is given by all those involved. The playgroup invites other professionals into the setting to monitor and support children's progress and builds effective relationships with the schools in the area, ensuring that children's transitions are a calm and reassuring process."

"The playgroup demonstrates a very high level of commitment to promoting children's safety."

"Children's individual development is effectively promoted because the playgroup has good procedures in place to support, monitor and evaluate their progress. The stimulating range of available resources are actively used and the extremely inclusive, child-friendly environment is conducive to children's learning."

"The playgroup effectively and seamlessly promotes equality and diversity, enabling them to offer a service that is inclusive for all children and their families."

"Children are offered interesting and stimulating opportunities to help them effectively progress and develop across all areas of learning."

"Children enjoy their time at the setting, forging friendships with the staff and each other. Their behaviour is excellent as they follow the positive role modelling of the staff and learn the expectations in place, such as being polite and sitting nicely on the carpet"

To view the full report please go to our website and use the link to OFSTED

8th February 2012

We have had a successful Ofsted Inspection today - just awaiting our report now and then we will be able to share our grading with you all.

7th February 2012

We are 50 Years old this year...We will be having two events to celebrate. The first one we are celebrating by having a family funday in April (see poster below)

23rd January 2012

Toddler Group Taster Sessions -

We would like to invite you to a free taster session at one of our toddler sessions on either Thursday 2nd February 1.15pm - 2.45pm or Thursday 9th February 1.15pm - 2.45pm.

Please contact Judy on: 07951918767 for further information or to book a session as numbers are limited.

7th January 2012

Porto's Portraits will be carrying out a Portrait Fundraiser at Queens Road Playgroup, Royston. This will be held at the playgroup on Saturday 10th March from 9.30 until 15.30. Information and sign up sheets will be going up at the playgroup week beginning 9th January.

You can sign up for a time slot at the playgroup, on Porto's Portraits Facebook Event Page or contact Lisa directly on 07921130946

2nd January 2012

Queens Road Playgroup would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year.

We look forward to meeting our new children and their parents/ Carers on Wednesday 4th January for their visit.

We also look forward to welcoming everyone back the week commencing 9th January 2012.

2nd November 2011

Join Our Team!

Queens Road Playgroup are looking for two enthusiastic & dedicated playgroup assistants to join the team.

The post will initially be temporary for the spring term, however depending on numbers the following term, the post may still be needed. Both posts will be for two or three morning sessions a week, from 8.30-12 initially.

A level 2 or 3 childcare qualification is desirable.

As a key person you will be responsible for making observations, planning activities (including craft for all children), and recording children's progress and next steps. You would also be required to follow and promote the setting's policies and procedures. Full induction program provided.

If you are interested in joining the team then please contact Judy for further information and an application pack.

Closing Date- Friday 11th November 2011

4th October 2011

We are having an open morning and would like to invite all prospective parents/ carers along to come and have a look at our facilities

11th September 2011

Thank you to everyone who came along to our grand opening today - it was fantastic to see so many people come along. Below is a video of the speeches given by Judy and Royston Mayor, Rob Inwood and the offcial cutting of the ribbon. Click here to view photos from the morning. Click here to view 'before' and 'after' photos.

Queens Road Playgroup Official Opening 11.9.11

30th August 2011

We will be having our grand opening on Sunday 11th September 2011 from 10am untill 12 noon. All welcome to attend. Facebook users click here to confirm attendance.

18th August 2011

We had our Ofsted visit on Tuesday 16th August, the Ofsted lady was VERY happy with everything she saw and we are now awaiting our new registration certificate through the post. :-)

Click here to view photos of our progress with new site.

10th August 2011

If anyone has any spare time to come and help with painting, putting up fencing etc please contact Judy on 01223 207548 - BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has helped so far and a BIG THANK YOU to Wickes in Letchworth for donating paint and plaster board to Playgroup.

Please click the photo to the right to view working progress of our new building and site.

29th July 2011

We have been granted full planning permission for our new building!!!! :-) Keep checking back for more news!

26th July 2011

We have received some more donations: £100 from parents & we raised £204 from the sponsored skydive. Many thanks to everyone's continued support.

24th July 2011

We hope all the children who are moving on to nursery have a fantastic time.

Update on fundraising: We have raised £275 from the children's photographs taken by Porto's Portraits. We have received £50 from a local business, and £75 in donations from past and present parents. Many thanks for all the continued support :-)

Check term dates as these have changed slightly for next term. (First day back will be Monday 12th September - this excludes visit days)

Keep checking back for news on our grand opening in September. We would like to say a BIG BIG thank you for everyone's continued support over this term.

12th July 2011

Fundraiser at Yuva last night raised £1704.38 from meal, auction, raffle & donations.

We have also raised £1039.03 from sponsored find carried out by playgroup children this half-term.

We also received a donation of £10.

BIG thank you to everyone for their kind support.

27th June 2011;

On Saturday 25th June 2011 weraised £85 from our Toy Tombola at Icknield Walk Summer Fete and also received £100 donation.

On Sunday 26th June 2011, Damon Jacklin and Scott Porto carried out their sponsored skydive. Click here to view some photos from the Skydive.

12th June 2011

We raised £44.95 in donations today at the Open Secrets event. Thank you to everyone who helped and supported this event.

8th June 2011

The evening at Palazzo last night was a great success we raised a total of £1708! A huge thank you to all the staff especially Laura Hadley-Charter & the Matt Wells with his guitar. Also a big thank you to everyone who attended and supported this event.

We have also raised £44.10 from a coffee morning, a big thank you to Mrs Lawson, for organising this and to everyone to attended.

4th June 2011

Judy has been to look at a modular building, that would be ideal for playgroup to run from. This particular building is significantly cheaper than others looked at due to it needing a small amount of refurbishment e.g. carpets, painting etc. This company is happy for us to pay for the building when it is sited subject to planning permission.

Click here to view photos of the building.

A big thank you to all the business and individuals who have donated prizes to our auction of promises and raffle Please click here to view the businesses who have contributed. We will be having a raffle and auction of promises over two evenings one at Palazzo (Tuesday 7th June) and one at Yuva (Monday 11th July).

A big thank you for everyone who has made donations via our paypal donate button we have received £40 in donations.

We raised £60 at the car boot sale at St Mary's School, many thanks to everyone who helped on the day and donated items.

19th May 2011

Press Release from Icknield Walk First School and Queens Road Playgroup:

The Headteacher of Icknield Walk, Jane Sherwood stated that "It's all about the children".

The governors of Icknield Walk School agreed this week for Queens Road Playgroup to be allowed in principal to locate on an area of their premises.