CHERITON BISHOP PLAYGROUP - Let the train take the strain!

Cheriton Bishop Playgroup is constantly on the go this term as the children explore this term’s theme of Transport.  For their annual visit to Exeter Library and Museum the children will be taking the train from Yeoford Station to Exeter Central.  This outing always generates huge excitement and the train ride is the icing on the cake, and naturally we create a great impression on the Tarka Line as we swarm onto the train and practically double the passenger numbers.   The children also took part in a traffic survey, which involved a very happy half hour watching and counting the cars and lorries from the bridge over the A30.  The delight given by drivers honking and waving in response was infectious!  The transport theme is also incorporated in the daily activities at playgroup and a number of cunningly fashioned vehicles, including rockets, have been proudly borne home.

Earlier in the term our other theme of People Who Help Us has given ample opportunity for the children to gain some insight into the community around them.  Playgroup leader Christine Grist and assistant Alison Strong took the children to visit the Cheriton Bishop Surgery, where Dr Clunie revealed a hitherto unsuspected proficiency with an improvised water pistol and thereby guaranteed himself a devoted future client base.  The children have created a series of handprints, which you can see decorating the surgery – they are always very proud to see their work on display.  On another occasion the children visited the village Post Office where they each bought a stamp from Mrs Retter and posted letters to themselves and were shown the workings of the sorting office.  And on one glorious day at playgroup, great joy was caused by the loan by Dave Ley, police officer father of playgroup twins Libby and Levi, of a box of real police hats from all over the world.

A few changes have been made at playgroup recently: for the first time we can offer a full day for the children.  As well as Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at the Village Hall they can now attend playgroup for the whole day at the school from 9.00am to 3.20pm and this is proving a great success.

We have also been spending our hard-earned money – thanks to various fund-raising efforts throughout the year, playgroup are now the proud owners of a new computer with which the children (and parents!) can hone their IT skills.  You can also check up on our very own website – please do look us up on http://www.cbplaygroup.ik.com/ On a fundraising note – we would like to help you with your shopping while you help us to raise money: if you shop online through this website – www.buy.at/cbplaygroup - you will not be charged any more than usual but we will receive a small commission.  Please give it a try – there are over 80 retailers available including John Lewis, Amazon and M & S.

  As the summer term draws to a close we will be bidding a fond farewell to the children who will be starting school in September, a big step which has been made so much easier for them by our close links with our school.  So goodbye and good luck to Alfred Amiss, William Barclay, Bryce Jackson, Anna O’Farrell, Zac Taylor, Harry Tremlett and Bethany Waylett.  But before the sad farewells we have our summer outing to look forward to in July – each year this is a highlight of the summer term and greatly enjoyed by children and parents alike.  Last summer we went to the zoo and naturally spent a disproportionate amount of time on the little train as well as admiring the elephants.  This year it may well be a trip to Bicton – where as well as magnificent gardens and fantastic play areas there is also …. a little train.