Playgroups

[aly]

Are they a must??
do you HAVE to go to them?

[karenjoy]

Definately good for you has well has the kids.

You dont have to but its good advertising!!

[Annie_T]

im feel the same as karen hehe

[avril]

Also helps towards social skills, that's for the children :laughing:

[Twinkles]

We don't go every day. But it's good to meet up with other minders - keeps you sane ( ish ):D On the days we don't go we meet other minders for walks or to go to the park or just meet up in each others houses.
It is good for advertising - a lot of my work comes by word of mouth.

[Pedagog]

I hate playgroups with a vengeance, been to several and never found one I liked.

[sarah707]

I go when I can and the children have fun.

But they can be an effort and if the children are having a nice time doing something else, I don't push them to stop and go out.

Trouble is I've been going to the same ones for 14 years now and it can get a bit boring for me :rolleyes:

[aly]

Just wondered if it was a requirement thats all..a girl i'm ont he ICP with has asked me to be her emergency contact and vice versa and we will probably arrange to meet now and again but it may not be at a playgoup etc but somewhere else....

thanks

[miffy]

I think you should do what you feel comfortable with - not everyone is happy in a crowd.

There are some plus points (already mentioned) and there's nothing to stop you checking out a few without making any huge committment

Miffy xx

[Pipsqueak]

I hate Toddler groups and the like with a passion BUT I have found one - no other minders go, its a small bunch of mums/grandparents/dads who I get on really well with.

I do try to avoid the ones that the local "cluque" goes to but do show my face on occasion.

The minders drop in that I run on a Tuesday I keep badgering my new supports to come down and help break the established "clique". A few of my supports have now started coming but I really felt for them - the "clique" didn't even say hi - never spoke to them for the whole 2 hours! :eek: It was disgusting.

[karenjoy]

Oh god I would never go to one religiously every week!!, Something else always turns up!!!

[aly]

Thanks all

I'm not too good in groups, which was the reason for asking, but I might pluck up the courage if i had too

[Rubybubbles]

I do go, but very rarely tbh, I would rather be outside playing than sat in a stuffy room full of gossiping girlies, I can come on here for that:laughing:

very good for networking and getting word of mouth out and about:thumbsup:

[Mrs M]

I have a childminding network group that I can attend on a Wednesday morning. However, I find this very difficult when one child wants to go outside to play and one wants to stay inside as it's my responsibility to be watching them both. Therefore, time at home in the garden is preferable to me! I agree that children need to mix with others in groups so I make the effort. However, as Sarah said, sometimes they're involved in something at home that you don't want to disturb and as the EYFS says, each day should be 80% child initiated!
Do what you feel is right for the children in your care and for you.

[manjay]

I run our local English toddler group and it's fab. We do crafts, organised outings, playing outside, singing. Think it does depend very often on what type of group it is. All our groups are held in the village school building so most children will do the whole toddlers, playgroup, nursery and then school natural progression.

I also attend the Welsh medium toddlers (Ti a Fi) in our village where I am made to feel most welcome even though I can not speak a word of Welsh.

Personally I enjoy going to these groups. It gets me out of the house, I get to speak to some adults, I have less time at home to plan activites for and the children can make a mess somewhere else:laughing:

[Spangles]

There's one near me I enjoy going to, there are another two that are just dreadful!

One is really awful. The mum's just sit around gossiping and don't pay any attention to the children. I was really peeved the other week as one little boy was going round in the ride-on toys ramming little children and the mum still left him to it! She would just come over every now and again and make a half-hearted attempt at getting him to say sorry and then she'd leave him to it again!

Anyway, I like them for socialisation, sharing, taking turns, different toys, etc and also some adult conversation for me! I am beginning to go a bit bonkers stuck here! After this week though I will be able to get out to this toddlers that I like again! Phew!!

[SonnysMummy]

I don't really like them because as has been said, they are normally full of cliques!!! I'm abit shy and find it difficult to talk to people i don't know but they are good for the children's social skills so i will go to a couple once i'm minding. I'm actually going to take my son to one in the morning...i've been avoiding it since he was born but i've decided to go because he does like mixing with other children now he's one...and also you never know who you could meet do you?...maybe it'll be good advertising!!! It's a music and movement group so hopefully it'll be good:)

Kelly:)

[Spangles]

Hope you enjoy it Kelly!

I don't talk to other people that much at toddlers as I tend to be just following children around checking they're safe, playing nicely, etc! It's all the others who sit around gassing!

[louise]

I go to two every week and just started a cm one which is every two weeks. I really like them but then that is as some of my friends who have had second chidren still go to them. I doubt id go if i didnt know anyone. My mindee loves going. He has made several friends. Mindee is a very social child and misses it when we dont go. With cm one im slowly finding my feet i could never go to one due to distance now i cant say no as its in the hall of my sons preschool and one of the mums is a cm.

[emmadines]

its a great way to keep your house tidy for a couple of extra hours lol:laughing:

[angeldelight]

There is only one in my area and I hate it

I have only ever been twice in all my years of childminding

They are fantastic for the kids and a nice break for you if they are run correctly

Its never done me or the children I mind any harm for not going

We have lots of friends with children so I feel that we offer as much if not more than a playgroup can ( in my area that is !)

Angel xx

[wendywu]

I am out at Toddler groups 4 mornings a week during term time. If the weather is hot and the group has not got a garden then i will do the park or walk round the lake.

My parents love the fact that i go to these groups. I put the newsletters in their dairies, i take photos of them doing craft, and at the christmas parties and summer outings.