Preschool Open Day

The Open Day is on Friday 5 December from 1.00 until 3.00pm.

Children who will be 3 before 2 July 2026 are eligible for a funded place in September 2026.

High Kirk Community Preschool is a welcoming haven where children are nurtured to learn, play and develop life skills.

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.

The playgroup is registered with:

Early Years: The Organisation for young children
Northern Health and Social Care Trust – The Early Years Team

Staff

All members of staff are qualified, experienced early years educationalist with an on-site Early Years Specialist. We liaise closely with parents/carers to ensure we understand, know our children as well as help with the transition from home to preschool. This results in planned activities meeting individual needs of children and maximising opportunities to reach their full potential.

Mrs Jessica Balmer

Preschool Leader

Designated Child Protection Officer
BA(Hons) Early Childhood Studies

Mrs Elaine Hamill

Deputy Preschool Leader

BA (Hons)
PGCE
Deputy Designated Child Protection Officer

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
Deputy Designated Child Protection Officer

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

In our pre-school setting, your child will be offered the best possible start to their educational life, giving them a head start in life-long learning.

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.

All staff provide a carefully planned and structured learning environment, in line with Department of Education guidelines. Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) every three years (last inspection March 2017) Northern Health and Social Trust’s Early Years Team annually (last inspection April 2019)

What will you child learn

How to develop relationships and respect for other children and adults.

Build confidence, independence and self-discipline to enable them to make their own choices.

Develop at their own rate through stimulating, progressive play.

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.

Above all, we aim for all our children to have fun at preschool for it is then that they learn most effectively.

Photo Gallery

Testimonials

High Kirk Playgroup is a well-established group that has built a sound reputation over the years. There is a team of very dedicated and experienced staff…
It was evident from the parental questionnaires that parents rate this Playgroup highly and have complemented the care and enthusiasm of the staff.

Social Services Inspection April 2018

Excellent preschool facility. Friendliness of staff makes a real difference for the children. Would highly recommend as a preschool setting.

Parent

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