It's time to book for popular summer scheme at Ballee

The Ballee Childcare Centre’s annual Summer Activities Scheme for children between three and eleven years old will be providing a whole host of arts, crafts and sports activities and this year the Centre has introduced even more fun sessions.

Following the huge success of last year's sessions the scheme has again expanded this year to provide more activities. For children to take part, parents just need to complete a simple registration form available from the Ballee Childcare Centre on 20 Antrim Road, Ballymena or by calling 02825638628 and requesting a copy.

Once children have registered they can attend as many summer activity fun days as they wis h. Sessions run as follows;

Pre-School mornings for ages 3yrs to 4yrs are 9am to 12pm Mon – Fri 2.60 per session(inc snack). Pre-School afternoons for ages 3yrs to 4yrs are 1pm to 4pm Mon – Fri 2.60 per session (inc snack)

“There are 48 places available in total,” said Kim Rodgers Pre-School Leade,r “and there are vacancies currently for both morning and afternoon sessions which are filling up quickly so it is good if parents know that we are enrolling now should they wish to do so to avoid disappointment.”

The Out of School Summer Scheme for ages 4yrs to 11yrs will be running sessions as follows;

Out of School full days 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday 7.00 per full day (inc snack)

Out of School mornings for ages 4yrs to 11yrs are 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday 4.00 per session (inc snack)

Out of School afternoons for ages 4yrs to 11yrs are 2pm to 6pm Mon – Fri 4.00 per session (inc snack)

Julie Faith Out of Schools Co-ordinator said: "The summer holidays can be hard work for parents, trying to keep children entertained. Our supervised summer scheme is a great way to let children enjoy themselves in a safe environment. The scheme has gone from strength to strength and this year we have more trips and activities than before."

She added: "I would encourage all parents and children to come along to our local summer scheme to see for themselves the fun activities we have on offer.Last year the scheme included visits, trips, fancy dress, cookery along with Art & Crafts and lots of physical activities for all ages.” Kim Rodgers Pre-School Playgroup Leader added; “The Scheme is jam packed with things for our junior members to enjoy! Registration forms our now available from the Centre. Remember places will be limited so register early to avoid disappointment.”

Contact Ballee Childcare Centre, 20 Antrim Road, Ballymena. T: Kim for Pre-School Summer Scheme enquiries on (028) 25638628 or Julie on (028) 25638628 for Out of School Summer Scheme enquiries.

Ju Jitsu is just the job

Ballee Out of Schools Club have been enjoying Ju Jitsu over the past seven weeks and are now ready to do their first grading (white belt). The programme is in conjunction with the Community Sports Programme.

Out of Schools Co-ordinator Julie Faith said: “the Children have been taught to be stronger, more confident and less prone to bullies and have improved their physical fitness over the duration of the course. The classes may be rigorous, and the instructor may be demanding and unyielding, but the gains in confidence and strength compensate for the difficulty.

“Staff and parents have commented positively on the improvements the course has made mentally, emotionally, and physically to the children and they have an improved sense of safety. With an opportunity for belt progression we are happy to see young children gaining a good grasp of basic skills and progressing on in this art.”

Children will progress at their own pace. However, you can expect that your child will be promoted to the next belt level every two-three months.

Ballee Pre-School Playgroup Expansion Programme

Ballee Pre-School have benefited from getting onto the Pre-School expansion programme and are able to offer a free Pre-School place to 23 of their Pre-School children. This has benefited many of parents from the Ballee area of the town and there are places still available for September. Ballee Pre-School is among one of the newest participants in the Department of Education’s Pre-school Education Expansion Programme which creates new high quality funded pre-school places. The programme incorporates a number of features designed to promote high quality pre-school provision, including adherence to a common curriculum in all settings, in line with the Curricular Guidance for Pre-School Education published by the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) and adherence to quality standards assessed by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI). A Pre-School Specialist is also appointed to ensure best practice guidance on policy-making and that good practice is recognised and applied effectively ensuring that pre-school children continue to receive the best quality education.

Kim Rodgers Pre-School Playgroup Leader at Ballee Childcare Centre said: “The aim of the programme is to provide a full year of pre-school education for every child whose parents wish it. The Programme is targeted on the most socially disadvantaged children, who are more likely to experience difficulty at school and who are known to benefit to a greater degree from pre-school education, as well as the oldest children in pre-school.

“Ballee Pre-School as a new provider has Pre-school places allocated to children on the basis of the playgroup’s admissions criteria, combined with the parents’ stated order of preference for the setting they wish their child to attend. “