About Us
The Playgroup Setting & Activities | Committee | Policies & Procedures | OFSTED Outstanding | Staff
The Playgroup Setting
Our modern, purpose-built Playgroup provides excellent indoor and outdoor play facilities for children aged from two and a half years to school age. We are located in a beautiful rural setting, within the grounds of Thriplow Primary School.
What Happens at Ladybird Playgroup?
Each week, we focus on a new topic, chosen to reflect the interests of the children. We have recently enjoyed Welly Week, Elmer the Elephant Week and Numbers and Shapes Week.
The usual weekly activities are interspersed with a range of special events such as local outings, family days for parents etc and visits from interesting people such as the fire service, Dentist, Nurse or a vet, for example.
Playgroup Activities
French Club for pre-school children
We have offered French Club in the past and are investigating the possibility for the future for children in the pre-school year. The sessions are very interactive, with children learning French songs and having great fun whilst learning. Please note, there is a small charge for this activity.
The Wild-Space
The children love the new outdoor space behind Ladybirds, lots of areas to investigate with logs to step on, hills to climb and our new shed to house our equipment.
Activities for pre-school year children
To help children in the pre-school year prepare for the transition to school, we introduce PE lessons with Johnny from JH School of Sport and a weekly library book for each child. We do 'stepping up' activities, which include watching school plays in the school hall and having story time in the 'Ants' reception classroom.
Parent Committee
Ladybird Playgroup is run by the management, a voluntary parent Committee and a great team of qualified staff. The Committee is involved in planning and running fundraising events such as the Christmas Party; reviewing/agreeing the Playgroup's policies and procedures and much more besides.
If you would like to join the Committee, please do contact us as we would love to hear from you.
Committee members
Jules White
Meghan Bonner
Kate Noble
Sabrina Walston
Clare Joghee
Caroline Short
Elinor Schneider
Sarah Wells
Fernanda Dias Novaes
Tracey Dervish
Sharon McGinty
Chair Person
Treasurer
Secretary
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Policies & Procedures
Administering Medicines Policy (Jan 2019)
Admissions Policy (April 2019)
Babysitting Policy (Jan 2018)
Behaviour & Discipline Policy (Jan 2019)
Breakfast Club Policy (Jan 2019)
Capability Procedure (Nov 2018)
Child Development Policy (May 2019)
Children's Records Policy (March 2019)
Complaints Procedure (April 2019)
Confidentiality Policy (March 2019)
Data Protection Policy (March 2019)
Emergency Evacuation Procedure (April 2018)
Equality & Diversity Policy (Nov 2018)
Equipment & Resources Policy (March 2019)
Fee Policy (Jan 2019)
Fire Policy (March 2019)
Food & Drink Policy (Nov 2017)
Health & Safety Policy (Jan 2018)
Information Sharing Policy (March 2019)
Intimate Care Policy (Jan 2019)
Lost Child Procedure (Sept 2017)
Lost Child Procedure - Outings (Sept 2018)
Mobile Phone, Camera & Internet Policy (Jan 2019)
No Smoking Policy (Nov 2018)
Non-Collection of Children Policy (May 2019)
Parental Involvement Policy (May 2019)
Provider Records (March 2019)
Outdoor Policy (March 2019)
Recruitment & Selection Policy (April 2018)
Reserves Policy (Nov 2018)
Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy (April 2018)
Settling In & Key Worker Policy (May 2019)
Sickness (Managing Sick Children) (May 2019)
Special Educational Needs & Disability Policy (Sept 2018)
Staffing & Employment Policy (Sept 2018)
Student Placement Policy (May 2019)
Supervision of Children on Outings & Visits Policy (May 2019)
Transfer of Records Policy (March 2019)
Whistleblowing Policy (May 2019)
Working in Partnership with other Agencies Policy (January 2019)
Privacy Notices
Parents Privacy Notice (March 2019)
Staff Privacy Notice (March 2019)
Trustees Privacy Notices (March 2019)
Ladybird Playgroup Website Privacy Notice (March 2019)
OFSTED Outstanding Playgroup and Pre-School - January 2017
We are extremely pleased and proud to say that Ladybird Playgroup was awarded a rating of Oustanding in our January 2017 OFSTED inspection! Download the new report here.
Update in September 2017 - Ladybird Playgroup has just changed their structure to become a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) and as part of this process we have had to re-register with OFSTED.
Meet Our Staff
Sharon McGinty - Playgroup Manager & Senior Playgroup Worker
Sharon has enjoyed working at Ladybird Playgroup for 19 years. Prior to this she was a Civil Servant.
Qualifications include Level 3 Childcare; Paediatric First Aid; Child Protection; ENCO/SENCO; Food Hygiene, Child Protection and Designated Behaviour Member of Staff. We operate under a Nominated Deputy System where, if required, the name of the nominated Deputy will be displayed on the day in Ladybirds
Michelle Fairweather - Deputy Playgroup Manager
Michelle has previously worked at Sawston Nursery
Qualifications include Level 3 Childcare; Paediatric First Aid; Child Protection; Food Hygiene. Designated Child Protection Member of Staff
Vacancy - Playgroup Worker
Alice McGinty - Playgroup Worker
This is Alice's first position since leaving school. Qualifications include Level 2 Childcare, Child Protection Food Hygeine and Paediatric First Aid. Alice also is our Health and Safety Officer
Georgie Sims - Playgroup Worker
Georgie has returned to the Early years now her own children are at school. She is qualified to Level 3, with Emergency Paediatric First Aid, Child Protection, Food Hygeine
Angela Mulholland - Playgroup Administrator
Angela has previously been been Administrator of the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend Committee after being a Paramedic for over 10 years. Angela also works as a "one to one" with children who have medical needs and has, Emergency Paediatric First Aid, Child Protection and Food Hygeine.