PLAY GROUP IN ED

[Nanny Penny]

we are thinking of running a play group on lordship lane

one or two mornings a week

would love to know how parents feel

offering fresh fruit at snack times

we would have music and dance from around the world

craft area

messy play

sensory area

as well as well equipt play time

what do you you think

[HelenChildminder]

Sounds good! When and where and how much?

[Nikkikf]

Sound great.

Would it be term time only? Mixed ages? (have 4yr old and 7mth old!)

[jennyh]

Think it sounds brilliant, mornings are always the time we need to get out and keep busy - from 9.30-11.30 usually! Mine is 17 months old. Can you do it Thurs or Friday!??

[alixandjames@btinter]

Hi

sounds a great idea What ages are you thinking.

Also Would parents be expected to stay during the session.

[Nanny Penny]

looking at church hall

on tuesdays or and thursdays around ?1.to ?3.

per child depending on hire of hall

yes it would be parents stay too

ages welcome and catered for

[Strawbs]

If its in the next few months before I unfortunately have to return to work then I would definitely come along!

[veryseriousgirl]

If you have it on Tue or Thu, we'd love to come. I imagine Aisling will love it too!

[Nanny Penny]

definatly

we are going to see the hall this weekend

[mcgowankim]

Would love one... especially in the early bit of the week and even more if it was all year!

[Nanny Penny]

Yes all

one of the reasons we are doing this is as childminders

we have no where to take the children in the hols

so we would be all year round

will be offering lots of stimulating

activities with lots of profesinal level three minders

keeping the children entertained a coffee area and a baby area

maybe with baby massage if we can getv a big enough area

will keep you all posted going to look for hall over weekend

[AnnaM]

Sounds like a brilliant idea. I will definitely come if it's on a Thursday!

[Binnytot]

Sounds great iam up

love a local play group in ed

[kapaxiana]

Sounds great, I am a teacher so i get the long summer hols with little one and not much going on!

[Pagoda]

I thought southwark ran stay and play sessions during the summer and publish lets go booklets with lots of info. This is where i use to take my son during the holidays.

I would hate to think that my child spends most of the week in play groups and parent and toddler groups where I have seen some childminders chatting and not interacting and taking an interest in the amazing things that thier children have achieved while they have been sitting and chatting.

Childminders should be able to provide a stimualting environment at home and in the outside environment, which I know the majority of childminders do.

[Nanny Penny]

southwark run group break up just like schools

we don't sit around chatting babe we interact with the children doing activitives

crafting and lots of fun we are aways with our children

this is why we are extending this with the children

to stimulate them with educational as well as fun activities

the children enjoy the play groups

they do also have lots of fun and stimulating activities with-in our homes

[Pagoda]

I have worked in schools and nurserys it is very different may be you should try to make a difference in the groups you attend. I can only go by what I have experienced as a parent and person who has a lot of experience with children and carers parents.

[Nanny Penny]

thats what we are aiming for hon

i know both sides of childcare

come see for yourself

when we are set

you will see that alot of us do want to provide

the best stimulating invoroment where the children

can learn and play at the same time

[hellosailor]

sounds great, keep us posted nanny penny, we will definitely come

[Nanny Penny]

will do going to see a few halls

on thursday

[Pagoda]

Hi

I will come and see and wish you sucess for the future.

[minder]

Pagoda it's not just childminders that sit and chat - there are parents and nannies and grandparents at a lot of groups. I'm always on top of what my mindees are doing but if an adult talks to me I wouldn't ignore them!

The children still have a good time and meet up with children they know in the area.

To say that most of the week is spent in groups isn't quite true. Yes, most childminders go to a group in the morning for a couple of hours but then spend the rest of the day at home and outside e.g. at home or in the garden/park.

We look after young babies too so the bit about you working in schools and nurseries (I'm assuming 3+) is somewhat different.

[hellosailor]

Pagoda, that sounds rather judgemental, I actually don't see anything wrong in the slightest with having a nice chat / biscuit with the other mums / grandparents / child minders at a playgroup (while obviously always supervising what your child is doing!), my toddler doesn't want me helipcoptering around her every second while she scampers round exploring, she's playing one on one with me at home for hours a day, I don't think mums shouldn't be made to feel inadequate for wanting to have a bit of adult interaction at a play group as long as they're being vigilant and interacting with the child as well..

[Pagoda]

Hi,

I don't expect carers to as you say to be helicopting around the thier children and as you say they need to be supervised and stimulated by thier carers. But there is provision for childminders within the community. For parents who attend a play group it is different they are not being closely judged on there practice inside and out of the home.

I have no problems with childminders/parents sitting and chatting. Parenting/childmining can sometimes be a lonely and stressful job and you need others to talk to exchange ideas,catch up and network but it shouldn't me to the detroment of supporting childrens needs.

I did say in my first message not all childminders behave in this way and my childminder was very good so now offence to those childminders out there that are working very hard.

[crystal7]

This sounds fab Nanny Penny! We'll be there if it's on a Tuesday.