First Steps Playgroup

4x adjustable office chairs for sale due to settling closure, £15 each open to offers. Collection from the Old School Hall, need gone asap!!

Lockable three drawer filing cabinet with key, collection The old school hall £35

**Announcement of Closure: First Steps Playgroup**

Dear Parents, Families, and Supporters,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closure of First Steps Playgroup, effective from the 28th March. This decision has not been made lightly, but due to ongoing financial challenges, staff departures, and the absence of suitable premises, we can no longer sustain operations.

Please be assured, that we have been working tirelessly, exploring every avenue to ensure First Steps Playgroup can carry on serving the community. But to our frustration, all avenues have reached an end, with no successful outcome.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to the staff and each and every one of you who have supported us through this challenging time. Your trust, patience and encouragement have been invaluable, and we are truly grateful .

We understand the impact this closure will have on our community, and we are committed to assisting families during this transition period.

We will provide updates whenever we can. Please reach out to us for any information or support you may need.

Warm regards,

First Steps Playgroup

All of the Ladies at First Steps would like to thank all of our families past and present for your support over the last few weeks, it has been very much appreciated ❤️
We would also like to say thank you for our end of term treats, we don't expect them, but we do enjoy them 🥰
Most importantly, we wish everybody a very merry christmas and a happy new year and we look forward to seeing everybody after the holidays 🎄 🧑‍🎄

REMINDER
all Second Look Christmas photograph orders
MUST
be handed in before 1pm tomorrow please x

It's been a few weeks since we have showed you our activities.

Space, textures, feelings.
The children love the visuals and chat about the faces. ❤️

A reminder
Please hand in your photo order forms this week x

A Statement of behalf of First Steps Playgroup (registered charity 1167009)

First Steps Playgroup has been providing early years care and education in Barlestone since 1968, and for the 55 years since then First Steps Playgroup has
called the Old School Hall on Church Road Barlestone home.

On Thursday, 14th November 2024 the Barlestone Church of England School Charity (often referred to as the Old School Hall Charity) gave notice to end the tenancy with First Steps Playgroup, bringing the tenancy to an end on 17th February 2025 so that
the Old School Hall can be sold.

First Steps Playgroup is deeply saddened that the Barlestone Church of England School Charity has been forced into this position where they have been given no option but to sell the building.

All at First Steps Playgroup are working to find a solution for a new setting and have engaged key stakeholders, including Barlestone Primary School. However, it is unlikely that a suitable setting within Barlestone/Osbaston can be found and/or ready
to accommodate the setting by the 17th February 2025.

If a suitable setting cannot be found than it will be necessary to take the heart￾breaking decision to close First Steps Playgroup permanently.

This is not a decision we want to take or would take lightly as the consequence is a loss of local jobs and no Playgroup / Nursery to support the local communities of Barlestone and Osbaston. We recognise the impact this will have on our current
children and their parents / carers, as well as for future generations and those families who have been involved with First Steps Playgroup over the last 55 years.

The First Steps Playgroup Committee are committed to exhausting all avenues of opportunity to try to protect the future of First Steps Playgroup, but may be forced into the awful decision to close down the Playgroup.

Further updates will be provided when we have more information.

We will be having a pyjama day
& asking for donations for
CHILDREN IN NEED-(Pudsey Day) Friday 15 November. Your children are welcome to join in 💛💛

Good Morning all! It is Christmas photo day today with the fantastic Second Look Photography, If you have an allocated time slot please use the normal kitchen door.

All other children please use the side entrance by the Church wall to enter the building, you can still access the kitchen via this way to hang coats and bags.

Thank you

We hope you enjoyed the Halloween Party as much as we did. Thank you for all of your support. X