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A new space designed to entertain the little ones every Tuesday and Thursday morning has opened at the National Sports Centre. Launched by Julie Butler, the ‘Pop Up Playroom’ is an indoor play area for children under five years old. Children are invited to go along and play in a safe environment on equipment specially designed for their age group that encourages imaginative play, motor development and socialization.  

Butler said: “I’ve seen a whole range of ages from babies up to five year olds in the three weeks I’ve been open. The older kids love the dress-ups and they play with the equipment using their imaginations in a way the little ones don’t just yet. The little ones just enjoy crawling, climbing and exploring. Starting as a pop up business is giving me a chance to see what is working, and what needs to be improved, and my aim is to operate on a pop up basis for a while and then move to a more permanent operation.”

While the playgroup is currently only open Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9am to 12pm, it is hoped that it will extend to Fridays starting in May and eventually into the weekends. The group will be open this Saturday and on Saturday, May 10 from 2pm and 5pm. Price of admission for the playroom is $15 for one adult and a child. Extra children will cost $5 each — a punch card of 10 passes is also available with one free pass included. There is tea and coffee, changing facilities and lots of parking space.

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