The 174 trust Playgroup was established in 1995 to address the needs of the children in the New Lodge / Duncairn area of North Belfast.

The Playgroup is registered for 24 children aged between 2 years 10 months and 5 years. The Playgroup operates from Monday to Friday from 9:15 am to 12:00 noon within the former church halls of the Duncairn Complex. We are currently part of the Government pre-school expansion programme and are funded by DENI. The DENI project provides the 174 Trust Playgroup with 10 free place for children who are in their last pre-school year.

The Playgroup is Social Services approved and NIPPA registered with all four members of staff having relevant childcare qualifications. The staff are committed to provide quality care and education in a stimulating and safe environment.

The Playgroup offers the high quality Highscope educational method to early year learning. This child centred approach has been proven to give children a head start in their academic achievements.

The children are offered on a daily basis a range of activities to encourage all aspects of their development. The staff work closely with the Early Years Advisor from NIPPA and take on board suggestions on how to improve our childcare provision.

The Playgroup implements a range of policies including Equal Opportunities, Behaviour Management and Child Protection to name only a few. Parents are given a copy of these policies and an information booklet when their child first starts the Playgroup. Parents are welcomed into the group at all times and the staff recognise that parents are the first educators of their children.

Children with special needs are welcomed into our setting and preparation for the integration into the playgroup will be undertaken by the playgroup coordinator in conjunction with the parent / carer.

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174 Trust hosts a Conservative party THINKtank publication Launch in NI

174 Trust hosted the Centre for Social Justice presentation of "getting in Early" publication that offers further evidence of how early intervention, followed through from pre-school years to primary school years, can break the cycle...

US Consul General Visits the 174 Trust to celebrate the American Ireland Fund Award

174 Trust was delighted to be visited by Ms Kamala Lakhdhir-US Consul General in NI to celeberate the recent $30000 award by the American Ireland Fund and showcase the cross community young footballers project that Trust had been involved in.