High Kirk Preschool Open Night
Wednesday 4th December between 5pm—7pm.
We welcome any children who will be turning 3 years old
before 2nd July 2025 and are due to start Preschool September 2025.
Please speak to Preschool Leader Jessica Balmer
if you have any queries.
Our bright, modern premises is centrally located in Ballymena. We are an educational preschool setting, providing 26 part-time places, 9.10 am – 12.10 pm Monday to Friday during term time.
Our learning environment includes indoor and outdoor resources, which enhance imagination, language, physical and social skills. Above all children are encouraged to build self-esteem and develop independent thinking.
- Early Years: The Organisation for young children
- Northern Health and Social Care Trust – The Early Years Team
Staff
Mrs Jessica Balmer
Preschool Leader
Designated Child Protection Officer
BA(Hons) Early Childhood Studies
Mrs Emma Millar
Preschool Assistant
Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning & Development
Level 3 Diploma in Working with children and young people with Special needs
Mrs Jacqui Cranston
Preschool Assistant
Level 2 Diploma in Children’s Care Learning
We offer funded pre-school places for children in their immediate preschool year as part of the Preschool Education Expansion Programme provided by the Department of Education. We also provide private fee paying places.
The staff in the preschool are fully qualified and specialise in preschool education and the implementation of the PreSchool Curriculum.
Our adult: child ratio is 1:8.
Our Facilities
- Fully qualified staff.
- Bright and welcoming premises with excellent resources.
- Safe, enclosed outdoor play area and large indoor play space.
- Catering for individual strengths and any additional needs
- Active partnership with parents.
What will you child learn
Build confidence, independence and self-discipline to enable them to make their own choices.
Learn to express themselves and be creative through many different areas of the curriculum – e.g. role play, books, drama, singing, music, science and the natural world.
Testimonials
It was evident from the parental questionnaires that parents rate this Playgroup highly and have complemented the care and enthusiasm of the staff.
Events
September
Settling in / All about Me and Family
Special Days:
- Settling in
- International Literacy Day (8th)
Visitors / Trips:
- Stay and Play
- Introduce Ted the Bear
- Introduce Ted’s home visits
October
Autumn and Trees
Special Days:
- Parent Interviews
- Half Term Holidays
Visitors / Trips:
- Autumn Walk
November
Dark Nights
Colour – Black
Shape – Triangle
Event – Planet Zum Zee Picnic, We’re Going On a Bear Hunt, Jo Jingles, Party Animals, Pyjama Party
Visitor – P1 Teacher Ballymena Primary Story Teller
Outing – Ballymena PS for Mr Hullaballoo
December
Christmas
Colour – Red
Shape – Star
Event – Children’s Nativity Performance, Jo Jingles, Fun With Drums, Health Visitor and Translator
Visitor – Special Visitor!!!!
January
Winter / Our Body
Colour – White
Shape – Rectangle
Event – Beautiful Moments photography
Visitor – Jo Jingles, Fun with Drums, Dental Hygiene, Neil (First Touch)
February
Community Helpers
Colour – Pink
Shape – Heart
Event – Jo Jingles, Fun with Drums
Visitor – People in our Community Visitors
March
Fairy Tales / World Book Day (Spring) / Easter
Colour – Green
Shape – Revisiting shapes
Events – World Book Day, St Patrick’s Day, Jo Jingles, Fun with Drums
April
Spring
Colour – Yellow
Shape – Oval
Event – Easter Parade
May
Mini Beasts / Our Planet
Colour – Purple
Shape – Revisiting Shapes
Event – Sports Day
June
Transitions / Holidays
Colour – Orange
Shape – Revisit Shapes
Event – End of Year Presentation and Party
Visitor – Neil (First Touch)
Contact
Ballymena,
BT43 6AZ
T: 028 2564 4834 (9:00am – 13:00pm)