Avening Playgroup is situated at the end of a quiet residential road in a purpose built wooden building, which opened in 1991.  Previous to that the playgroup worked out of Avening Memorial Hall and was originally established in 1972.  The playgroup has a great outside area with plenty of room for slides, climbing frames, swings, trampoline, wendy houses, ball activities, reading area and a road painted onto the playground, on which the children enjoy riding bikes, cars and scooters.  There is also a large covered area which contains a purpose built sand pit, mud kitchen, water tray, mark-making and construction areas as well as space to play on a mat with various activities. Inside the playgroup there is a main playroom equipped with a wide variety of resources and equipment.  It is divided into the following areas: creative, mark-making, reading, dressing up, home corner and a carpeted area where the children take part in a variety of activities including construction, dance, musical and circle time. We consider Avening Playgroup to be a place where children:  Safe and secure                                                                                      Happy active learners                                                                                      Independent and individual                                                                                      Nurturing                                                                                      Enriching We currently open weekday mornings between 9.15 and 12.15 during term time.  We offer a lunch club on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until 1.15.  The days may change depending on numbers. There are three members of staff: Angie Heslop is the Early Years Manager and joined in 2006 Liz Blick joined the playgroup in June 2019 as Deputy Early Years Manager  Sarah Pullen is the Playgroup Assistant and joined in 2005 Angie and Sarah attained the NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development in 2007 and Liz attained the Cache Level 3 Diploma in Playwork 2012. All members of staff have up to date Level 3 Paediatric First Aid and Child Protection training, as well as attending other relevant training as and when required. As with many groups, Avening Playgroup is a charity organisation which is run by a volunteer committee made up of parents and people from the local community.  They are responsible for the overall running of the playgroup and for fundraising. We have had lovely feedback from the children and their families, such as: Thank you so much for all your hard work and care with x over the last year and a half!  She has thoroughly enjoyed her playgroup time and your smile at the gate has always been welcoming and warm! Thank you so much for being so caring towards x.  He has and does absolutely adore you.  Avening Playgroup has really helped him to prepare for primary school. And also from Ofsted: The playgroup has a very caring and nurturing ethos.  Children build strong, beneficial relationships with staff and demonstrate a real sense of belonging.  Children are confident and capable and visibly flourish. As of September 2019, a Toddler Group will meet Mondays between 1.00 and 3.00 pm.  This is for children between the ages of 0 and 5 years of age, and their parents/carers.