What makes a good Playgroup?

[mikeb]

I help run a local Playgroup. We were thinking of ways we could improve it. What do you think makes a good group? Have you seen anything that works well. Do they have stipulations regarding over subscription? How to they organise teas/coffees/clearing up? Any ideas welcome.

It is voluntary and we do not have a huge budget..

(Mrs) mikeb

[echo]

Good question:)

I've been to lots over the years.

1. offer tea and coffee- some do it at a set time other don't. Health snack for the kids fruit and the not so healthy biscuit. Perhaps encourage parents to bring things in to share??

2. Have a range of activites- so a colouring table,play dough, a seasonal craft of the week? Singing and maybe a story? Activity centre has lots of printable sheets and pre-school craft ideas. Stiener groups have a parents/carers communal craft activity- I love it:)

3. Have a signing in book and perhaps a registration form? Personally I think ?1/2 entry is fine- ?3/4/5 is a bit steep??

4. Have a visible healthy eating, gentle discipline, active play policies, So that there is a cluster of values the play group can work within. I went to a group recently that didn't seem to have these, and I could feel and see it; children eating sweets, forceful disciplining of young children.

5. I find groups of parents can become cliquey. I bet there are lots of reasons why; but i think the organisers need to try to gently counter act. So recognising the first timer and being a friendly face.

6. Include active play and outside if possible. I personally think it is unreasonable to expect young children to sit still for long periods

Anyway my young one is calling, more later xx

[katgod]

Crystal palace one o'clock club was for me the best of the bunch. It did a lot of what is outlined above, the things I really liked were:

Tea coffee available to buy

Painting really well done with lots of paper, a drying rack, overalls

Activities changed half way through- some not all, so duplicate put away and cars put out. Kept it interesting.

Also like places with more messy/craft/different stuff that I can't or won't do at home.

Hope that helps

[Saffron]

The staff at CP One O'clock Club were just the best! They were so friendly and chatty and helpful.

It doesn't matter how well-resourced a play group is. It has to be friendly to be successful. xx

[Mariamadeit]

The person running it needs to be welcoming, have a good memory for names, be able to introduce new people to the group, have a safe place for children to play and a drink...