New Managers at
Embsay with Eastby Pre-school Playgroup
We are delighted to have appointed two new managers, Judy Hirst and Emma Bowers. Judy joined the pre-school as a Co-leader in February 2020 after being Chair of the Management Committee for a few years. She was appointed as joint Deputy Manager in April 2022. In 2023 Judy completed the Early Years Initial Teacher training qualification and was awarded the Best Practice Trainee of the Year award. Emma joined the pre-school in November 2021 and was appointed Deputy Manager of the Out of School and Holiday Clubs in April 2022. Emma was previously a primary school teacher. Judy and Emma said they are looking forward to their new roles. They hope to continue to lead the pre-school within the community to create a happy and safe environment where all children can thrive as individuals.
L-R: Emma Bowers, Judith Robinson, Judy Hirst
Charlotte Allen, Chair of the Management Committee said “we are delighted to have appointed two new managers with such a brilliant range of skills and expertise. Building on the amazing work and success of our retiring manager of 20 years, Judith Robinson, we are confident they will lead the pre-school from strength to strength.”
Congratulations Judy!
Congratulations to our deputy manager Judy Hirst who completed the Early Years Initial Teacher Training programme in July 2023. She was also awarded the Best Practice Network Trainee of the Year. Totally deserved as she went above and beyond in all her assignments and work placements.
Celebrating our 55th Anniversary
We were delighted to so many people could join us to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the playgroup. It was started in 1967 by a group of mums from Eastby and they asked Dorothy Rae to be the leader. The playgroup has grown from strength to strength thanks to dedicated staff and committee over the years. The celebrations were extra special as we celebrated another ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted in March this year.
If you are interested in our Pre-school or Explorers Out of School Club and would like a visit or to get more details, please contact us using the contact form or ring 01756 791123.
Coming up:
Events that usually take place at playgroup:
- Welcome Back Evening for parents – what we will be doing this year
- Annual General Meeting
- Visit from Zoolab
- Visit to Judith’s allotment to pick fruit and vegetables
- Trip on Embsay steam train to Bolton Abbey
- Trip to Wild Explorers
- Children In Need week
- Visit to Embsay Library
- Visit from our local CPO
- Visit from Charlotte, Nurse
- Visit from Jacquie about Hedgehogs
- Visit from Clare Reed, Community Champion at Morrisons
- Christmas concert and visit from Santa
- Christmas party week
- Visit from Kingsway Vet
- Parents evening
- Visiting the community garden at the Paper Shop
- Chinese cooking with Michelle Li
- Speech and language evening for parents with Ben Bolton
- Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day afternoon teas
- Sports day
- Trips to Ilkley Winter Gardens
- Visit to Skipton on the bus
- Visit to Skipton fire station
- Visit to Studfold Adventure Park
- Visits from reception class teachers
- Visits to new schools/settings
- Annual Family Trip to Hesketh Farm Park
- End of term party
This years fundraising events and other community events:
- Annual Grand Raffle – to be drawn 23rd November 2024
- Great Embsay Bake Off – 23rd February 2025 – to be confirmed – more details to follow
- Annual Easter Egg Trail – Saturday 29th March 2025 – more details to follow
