Information for Parents

The decision to leave your child with a child carer is difficult and an important one.

As a parent, provision of high quality care is paramount.

Langholm Playcare Ltd was started by an enthusiastic group of local parents needing childcare.

February 1996 saw the start of an After School Club.

Since then we have expanded our provisions considerably and now provide full day care Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm for children aged 0-16 years. This includes our popular Breakfast, Out of School and Holiday clubs. We offer pick ups to and from school and nursery.

Legislation sates that staff working with children are required to register with the Scottish Social Services Council. In line with this legislation all Playcare staff have gained or are working towards achieving a relevant qualification.

Langholm Playcare Ltd in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council deliver Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) to 3 and 4 year olds. We also deliver ELCC to elgible 2 year olds. Care Inspectorate and Her Majesty Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) regularly inspect our facility in order to maintain high quality standards and these reports can be found on repsective website.

Parents are welcome to telephone or visit at any time to make enquiries, have an informal chat or discuss any concerns they may have. Prospective users are welcome to visit prior to usage. New parents are encouraged to be involved in the settling in process of their child. Smooth transition is worked towards at all stages of the child's development journey throughout Langholm Playcare Ltd in partnership with parents. This allows them to take on new experiences with children.

We are managed by a voluntary board of directors comprised mostly of parents using the facility. We have good relationships with local businesses and the community.

Our main aim is to provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment in which parents can leave their children, safe in the knowledge that their child is being well cared for.

We hope the information on our website will give you confidence in your decision thus allowing Langholm Playcare Ltd to play a positive part in your child’s development.

Langholm Playcare Ltd recognises the wide range of special and support needs of children and families and will, wherever possible, take part in meeting these needs.

Langholm Playcare Ltd will liase with parent/carer and other professionals to acquire all relevant information for any child with additional support needs prior to acceptance of child to the setting.

This is to ascertain that we can meet all the essential and required care needs of the child necessary for the integration and care of the child while within the setting, whatever child’s capabilities.

Registration with Dumfries and Galloway Council Education Department allows us to provide funded pre-school education to 3 and 4 year olds.

On June 8th, 2011 our HMIe inspection listed the particular strengths of Langholm Playcare Ltd as: Confident and enthusiastic children. Commitment of coordinator and staff to improving learning Effective support for children who need extra support with their learning.

The report can be accessed at www.hmie.gov.uk. In the report, the following comments were made:

“Across the centre, staff know children well”

“Staff have built positive relationships with parents”

“Across the centre, all children are very well-behaved.”

Generally the centre was rated as “good” in all areas.