Monymusk Playgroup is a non-profit pre-school group, run by a parent committee and volunteers for 2.5-pre-schoolers in Monymusk, rural Aberdeenshire, feeding the local school, Monymusk Primary (school role 55pupils) but also some children in nearby rural villages; Cluny, Sauchen and Kemnay.

The Playgroup is a vital part of the local community by helping to attract young families to the area.

It has a strong links with the local school using the schools library and mud kitchen, aswell as the local park which in turn helps keep the village vibrant. We also host one of the villages main annual events- the Family Halloween Disco!

Monymusk Playgroup is certified by the Early Years Scotland for council funded places but were are a parents committee run charity group independant of Local Authority. For this reason we are also able see children of working parents of the area, destined for local schools, that are perhaps using their care commission funding to go to private nurseries that fit better with their parents work pattern, again providing an important local role for working parents.

However it is important to stress that we are independent of the Local Authority and thus do not have the luxury of not relying on fundraising for everyday to keep the playgroup open.

This is where I hope we may be fortunate in asking (read pleading) you for a donation towards our running costs which include, hall hire, daily snacks, play equipment, craft sundries and staff training. We are low on funds, due to a loss of care-commission funded children up to P1 and an intake of fewer, privately funded children taking their places.

We would be grateful for any donations.

Without diligent fundraising and sponsorship, we would not be able to keep the playgroup open.

As a parent of one of the attending children, taking advantage of the non-funded available place due to work, I would be devastated if this happened. My daughter has gained so much from Monymusk Playgroup, being of a shy disposition, she has come on leaps and bounds and knowing her P1 class before the leap to school has been invaluable. She could not have had this gentle integration to her future school years if the Playgroup was not open.

I hope you can offer some help