22 years of Stepping Stones Playgroup

This week the playgroup had its 22nd anniversary at Bexhill Youth And Community Centre in Station Road.

Children and staff sang Happy Birthday and blew out the candles on the chocolate cake decorated with flakes and swirls before getting back to the business of the day which was thinking about fireworks and bonfires.

There are just 15 children registered at Stepping Stones at the moment so supervisor Gaye Hellyer is hoping parents will come forward to find out what there is on offer.

"We are often lower in numbers in September - we have just lost 12 children who went off to school, so now we are starting again. We want to welcome new children in - this is a very friendly setting, the staff are very good, and we cover the six areas of learning set out on the curriculum.

"The children are learning a lot through play and planned activities. There is a variety of activities set up for the children each day, and then there are special events, such as raising money for St Michael's Hospice, and next week we are doing activities to raise money for Children In Need."

The large room in the community centre is divided up into different areas for different activities, such as the interest table which is currently decorated with pumpkins and seasonal reds and golds.

"We are looking at autumn at the moment. We went up to the Old Town for a walk and went to the Manor Barn, and the children loved looking at the autumn leaves, playing with the leaves, and throwing them up and watching them as they floated down."

There's time for talking,thinking and creating at Stepping Stones, but time for energetic play too - come mid-morning the staff clear away the crafts and equipment and make room for the cars, bikes and parachute games, or the musical movement or obstacle courses the children love to throw themselves into.

The playgroup, which runs Monday to Friday from 9.15-1pm, is for children from age two until they are ready for school.

Staff member Laura Piper commented: "We are all so enthusiastic about the play group - we put a lot into it. At the moment we are doing craftwork on bonfires, and the children are so enthusiastic about the fireworks they have seen over the weekend and chatting about it all. They are lovely children.

"There are so many positive things about this place - and there is such a friendly and enthusiastic staff. We provide everything across the curriculum, and then we take them out on trips to the library or walks to the park, and we go on a trip once a year - we went to Blackberry Farm this year, it was a coach trip and they really enjoyed it. We provide a broad range of activities from cooking to crafts, and even get them doing computer work, such as programming Beebots, to encourage coordination."

Community Centre manager Paul White said: "Parents can come along and get an impression of what happens. Parents need to come and have a look and we welcome them to see what we do, and bring their children to see it as well."

For further details call 01424 215455.