Playgroup Origins Castleton Playgroup was started in 1988 by Sharman Morgan as a private playgroup and was originally based in the Church Rooms at Castleton Baptist Church. At an early stage. Sharman kindly donated the playgroup to the church to be run for the benefit of local children. Jane Bradley, took over the running of the playgroup in 1992 and over the years much change has been seen. Following the sale of the church, the playgroup relocated to St Brides Village Hall in 2002 before moving to its current home in the grounds of Marshfield Primary School in September 2005. Due to poor health Jane is currently (September 2010) handing over the reigns as supervisor and so the playgroup enters a new phase in its development. Please return to this page over the coming months for updates. The current premises consist of one main playroom, a quiet room, toilets, store cupboard and office/kitchen. Excellent facilites exist outside and ‘free access play’ is encouraged. The playgroup is a feeder setting for the adjacent Marshfield Primary School with which there is an excellent relationship. Castleton Playgroup is the working name of Castleton Baptist Church Playgroup, and is a Registered Charity, No.1096204.
Accreditation The playgroup is inspected annually by CSSIW (Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales) formerly CSIW. The last inspection was in December 2009 and details of this can be viewed here (.pdf) and at http://www.csiw.wales.gov.uk/dataviewer/index.asp by using the search facility.  Details of the previous inspection can be found here (.pdf). The playgroup is also accredited under the Wales Pre-School Playgroups' Association (Wales PPA) Quality Assured scheme. The playgroup was the first in Newport to achieve the latter distinction. The last Estyn inspection took place in March 2006 and full details can be found online at http://www.estyn.gov.uk/home.asp or you can view the report here (.pdf) The playgroup is a registered provider for the Newport Childrens' Partnership and as such parents of 3 and 4 year old children receive funding subject to certain criteria being met. In 2002, Castleton Playgroup became the first playgroup in England and Wales to receive the Basic Skills Agency Quality Mark, this being successfully renewed in 2005 and 2008. In 2004, the playgroup successfully took part in the Sure Start Healthy Playgroup Award and was recognised accordingly. In 2008 the playgroup was reaccredited. In 2007, Castleton Playgroup was selected as one of the pilot pre-school settings for the new Early Years Foundation Phase.
The Staff 2009-2010
The members of staff have a wide variety of relevant qualifications which meet the requirements of both the CSSIW and the Newport Early Years Partnership. All staff have current First Aid accreditation or are in the process of renewing it and a currently accredited member of staff is always available. Furthermore, the majority of the team have undergone Food Hygiene, Special Educational Needs and Child Protection training. Staff regularly attend Wales PPA and Newport Childrens and Young Persons Framework training courses and seminars. In addition to the regular staff there are a small number of volunteers who help out at various sessions during the week. The Playgroup Committee The affairs of the playgroup are managed by a committee comprised of church members and parents, with staff and the headmistress of the adjacent primary school being invited to meetings. The Beautiful People Families are encouraged to help and support the various fund raising activities which are spearheaded by a very committed team of parents who have earned themselves the title of 'The Beautiful People'. Without such help, the playgroup would not have the high standard of equipment that it does.