History For the last 8 years we have operated as St.Michael's Playgroup from the grounds of Finedon Infant School. During the summer of 2025 we will be moving premises and opening on 3rd September from Finedon Community Centre.
Our setting The Berrypatch provides quality care and education for children from 9 months - 11 years
The Baby room - A cosy, downstairs room for children aged 9 months - 2 years old
The Nursery room- A large, upstairs room for children aged 2, 3 and 4 years old
Out of school provision - Breakfast and after school clubs-for school age children from Finedon Infant and Junior schools. Holiday club - For all school age children from Finedon and surrounding areas
We are a registered charity governed by a voluntary committee.
IntakeBabies and Nursery children:Children can start attending playgroup at 3 intervals during the school year - September, January or April this is due to funding restrictions.
Non funded children and school age children( For breakfast, afterschool and holiday club) can start attending on parental choice.
Our ethosWe strongly believe that children learn through play and therefore our setting is child led . Children are free to choose what they want to play with and are encouraged to be independent as much as possible. The role of the adult is to provide the resources for the children and to interact with the children to further their knowledge and skills.By fostering independence, children become capable, resilient and confident and therefore are able to learn.
The Key person- Babies and Nursery children Each child is allocated a key person ( member of staff) . This will be done before your child starts .However ,we will re assess after a few weeks to see which member of staff the child forms a strong relationship with.
The role of the key person is:
- To help to settle a child into the group
- Act as a point of contact for parents/carers
- Understand the childs needs and interests
- Plan activities and experiences to help the child to develop
- Change the childs nappies or clothing if appropriate
- Keep records of each of their key children development and share this information with parents/carers
The Berrypatch
Finedon Community Centre, 71 Wellingborough Road Finedon, Northants , NN9 5LG