S.W. SNOWDEN
PLAYGROUPS: This year the Beaufort-Hyde Partnership for Children (BHPC) began a playgroup for local children ages 18 months to 5 years on the campus of S.W. Snowden. There has been a Washington group for 10 years and the initiative is to branch out with more playgroups elsewhere in the county. The groups are led by Parent Educators. While each of BHPC’s Parent Educators will continue to make home visits, the organization wants to provide a free, educational and fun option for families that cannot drive to Washington every Thursday for playgroup. Lisa Woolard, the executive director, directed Parent Educator Jackie Boyd to begin making plans for additional playgroups last summer. BHPC started a new playgroup in Belhaven in September, the Aurora group on Oct. 22 and will begin a new group in Swan Quarter on Jan. 8. A fifth playgroup is being considered for the Bath or Pinetown area. The main objective with playgroup is to help children be ready for kindergarten entry. Some families cannot afford preschool, and this gives the children an opportunity learn how to play with other children and transition to different activities: circle-story time, table time-crafting/art/activity, free play, snack, clean up and go home. The SWS playgroup will participate in the Week of the Young Child parade and festival that takes place in April in downtown Washington. They will march in the parade, have a picnic lunch and then enjoy some time at the festival.