Pre-School Playgroup

In 1994 research showed that there were nearly fifty children in the 3-5 year old age group in the area. There were no Pre-school facilities for these children and their younger siblings within the parish. The nearest playgroups is at least 5 miles away, making them unattainable for those without transport and those socially deprived. All the playgroups were privately run often making them too expensive for families dependant on social Welfare payments.

A group of parents got together in September 1994, together  with Mr. Tim Healy of the Southern Health Board and a Banteer Playgroup  commenced in January 1995. The Community Centre offered a room which was in need of much renovation and this was converted with the input of a lot of local voluntary labour.

In its first six months, January 1995 to June 1995, the Playgroup catered for 16 children.The Playgroup runs 3 mornings per week 9.30am to 12.30pm. Two people are currently  employed. The Playgroup has gone from strength to strength since its beginning.The number of children attending the Playgroup varies from year to year but has never  been lower than 12 children. When numbers go above 16 children, 3 people are then employed.

Sr. Catherine Curtin is Playgroup Leader and has been with  the Playgroup since its commencement in 1995.    

The children attending the School come from local areas such as Lyre, Banteer, Lombardstown, and Nadd.    

Over the past 5/6 years up to 30 new houses have been built in the Banteer area alone and  at present there is planning permission for up to 40 new private and council houses in Banteer village itself . With this scale of development we feel the future of the Playgroup is guaranteed for years to come. We have l4 children at present, and already have some enrolments for the coming year.

The playschool experience offers many benefits to children in that it helps children to mix with others of  the same age, makes transition to National School much easier, and children who may have speech problems can also be helped as a Speech Therapist is also available if requested by the parents. Having a playschool service available locally is a vital service to the children and families of the community.

The Playroom itself can also be used for other uses such as  meetings, fund raising nights.        An opportunity is also there to open a Parent/Toddler Group or the Playgroup could open for further mornings.

Each year we hold fund raising activities. We have already held one table quiz and hope to hold  2 more before the end of the year. We hold a Church Gate collection annually, cake sale and usually organise other items which include Garden night, Flower arranging etc.

We pay a weekly rent to the Hall Committee for the room, ESB and we will also pay rent on the phone when same is installed.