Carer & Toddler Groups
Mother Toddler groups are an excellent way of bringing mothers in a community together whilst at the same time providing something constructive for our under 5s.
Helping give the carers a break and a social interface as well as a creative experience for the pre-schoolers is something we take seriously. Several groups are up and running including the pioneering Moonbeam group in Leicester with a weekly 30-35 attendance. Other groups include, Little Gems in Birmingham and Little Hands in Manchester.
Many of these groups started small and by sheer word of mouth have grown. Ideally, we would like to see many more such initiatives up and down the country to provide a community focus and an opportunity for carers from all cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds to mix with one concern - that of the future of our children.
Guidance is available from ISB in the form of a short booklet, helping to put together such a group, taking in to account all the things that may be required. This may include obvious items such as venue and syllabus and also some may be not so obvious items such as insurance and funding opportunities. In Manchester we have found there to be many opportunities for funding that is desperately needed.
We hope that this template as well as our shared experiences in setting up Carer and Toddler Group will be of benefit to those wishing to embark on such a project. Please get in touch for a copy of the booklet.
An example of a typical morning might include:
- Drama & Songs with the children
- Art play/messy time
- Stories with a moral
- Play time
- Snacks and tea!
- Sports
Sara Saigol
07947 346 322