Not going to baby/toddler groups

[mumofone]

Do any of you actively not go to these and if so how do you "justify" this?

[FloraDora]

I do not attend any now...all of my children are part time and attend groups with parents/ grandparents or Nursery on the days they are with me.
I was very honest with my Inspector and said that I attended a speech therapist group with a little one who found it difficult amongst other children plus her speech was delayed....only that one because others in my area were not good enough in my opinion, this one was well run and focussed on the next steps my child needed. The others were glorified playgroups with, in my opinion, big H&S issues...that didn't offer the LO's anything more than/ different that I could in my setting. The children were also getting larger group situations with their parents.
I do however meet up with other Childcare profesionalis on occasions, at the nature reserve to do activities together.

There was no issues with this as the practise she saw backed up what I was saying I think.
Lots of people attend groups because it offers a different dimension to their setting and find meeting up with others good as it can be a lonely job, but when explaining it to Ofsted your reasons for offering that activity has to be linked with the children in your setting and their needs. A friend of mine argued it as a sharing good practise and networking..and got quizzed about this in depth..but as long as you know why you do or don't attend and can justify and can back it up with evidence then I think there is nothing to be concerned about.

[clareelizabeth1]

I do and don't attend groups it depends on the dynamics of the children i have and what groups are on that day. At the moment i find all my children are very outdoorsy and dont enjoy being confined by the buildings groups are normally in so we do big meet ups at the park instead or invite people round to help the children with their social skills.

I dont feel a need to go to groups they hVe their merets but they dont meet our needs right. now. I dont think parents have even noticed we havnt been weeks now. The children haven't asked to go and its saving me money each week.

[BallyH]

As already been mentioned it depends on the present lo's needs. I use to attend a local one regularly but it just wasn't working. Boisterous kids, parents chattering and ignoring them, a lot of rough play with rideon toys etc. My lo's ones kept asking to go home so we did and I've not gone back. I know parents bring them separately to other gropus plus each one attends a preschool, so needs are being meet across the week.

I do go to the monthly cm gathering at the children's centre and meet weekly with a couple of cm's to stay social and exchange info, moaning etc. I feel my present lo's don't need a toddler group. But will return as and when.

[mumofone]

Thanks guys, I feel quite strongly about not going but worried it'll look bad to an inspector.

[natlou82]

Can I ask your reasons for not going? I'm just interested in your point of view on this. Personally I do and have attended different groups, some have been beneficial, some not so much.

[crumpet54]

Thanks guys, I feel quite strongly about not going but worried it'll look bad to an inspector.

What's your reasons for not going? Have you tried a few different ones? Are there any childminders you could meet up with whilst there?

[mumofone]

Can I ask your reasons for not going? I'm just interested in your point of view on this. Personally I do and have attended different groups, some have been beneficial, some not so much.

Yes of course, just for all those aforementioned reasons by others ...

[loocyloo]

I too sometimes go to groups and sometimes don't .. depending on the children, the weather, everything! We never go every week though to the same group.

I like to go as it's good for the children to mix in big groups and sometimes I need adult company! It also gets me work! 3 of my current children came from mums and friends seeing me at groups.

I knew a lovely minder, but apart from her garden, she never went out. She used to struggle to get children.

[Lal]

I don't currently go to any- all of my children are part time and I know they do groups with their parents. When I have been to groups in the past I have often been baffled by the stupid places people leave their hot drinks.

[Simona]

Puzzled by where does it say we need to 'justify' not using Stay and Play sessions?
who do we need to justify it to?

[mumofone]

Puzzled by where does it say we need to 'justify' not using Stay and Play sessions? who do we need to justify it to?

OFSTED as always.

[Simona]

Not really sure OFSTED require/expect/want to see attendance to Stay and Play/Mother and toddler groups or justification for not doing so...maybe you could point to where this is in the EYFS?

In a way your question really gives a very good justification for not attending....hopefully I have understood it well?

[mumofone]

Not really sure OFSTED require/expect/want to see attendance to Stay and Play/Mother and toddler groups or justification for not doing so...maybe you could point to where this is in the EYFS? In a way your question really gives a very good justification for not attending....hopefully I have understood it well?

Simona of course it's not stated in the eyfs im not saying these things always are but we all know of people being downgraded for not networking etc and people who do choose to go to toddler groups always get it mentioned in their OFSTED report as a positive thing.

[Simona]

Simona of course it's not stated in the eyfs im not saying these things always are but we all know of people being downgraded for not networking etc and people who do choose to go to toddler groups always get it mentioned in their OFSTED report as a positive thing.

Ok...I see where you are coming from
For me if it is not in the EYFS it is not a requirement...there are so many alternatives to attending M&T groups if we want to prove that aspect of learning, socialising and networking.

I have not come across anyone downgraded for not going to these groups...so not sure where you have heard this from?
'Networking' is a big huge tent...we had a fantastic discussion about this on EYTalking last night...with Cms in mind!

of course if you attend it may be mentioned in your inspection...it can only be judged positive if it is so to the children and the CM herself...maybe you could also think of Childrens centres or other opportunities both for networking and benefits to the children.

As usual your question triggered reflection for me and a good point for outcomes for a CPPD!

[redtiger21]

I usually go to a couple per week, mostly because I like a change of scenery (of course we do plenty of outdoor play, parks, library, feeding the ducks and nature walks too, I just mean another change as well as that), it's nice to talk to other adults when the job leaves you feeling isolated, I've gained some new business from going to them, plus my mindees have actually made new friends from going too. Having said all that, there is absolutely no reason why ofsted would have any issue with you not attending these things- all they are looking for is evidence that you are meeting learning, development and welfare requirements, there's no need to attend groups for this xx

[Maza]

I have the most amazing sure start centre around the corner from me and I have been going there for almost seven years. I have made some amazing friends there, but obviously I go because it is brilliant for the children - excellent resources that I could not afford in my home/garden. We also go to Forest schools most weeks - again excellent. Other playgroups I have tried and not returned for reasons mentioned above - one of them being hot drinks left lying around.

My inspector did ask me why I didn't attend story sessions at the library and I 'argued' the case - we visited the library at other times of the week and so the children were learning library skills and having access to a wide variety of books, but we deliberately avoided story times because they weren't as good as the story times I offered at home (mums just chatting as the books were being read, monotone librarian, small book, children standing at the front and the ones behind couldn't see - mums to busy chatting to notice etc etc). She totally agreed with me in the end!

[BallyH]

I have the most amazing sure start centre around the corner from me and I have been going there for almost seven years. I have made some amazing friends there, but obviously I go because it is brilliant for the children - excellent resources that I could not afford in my home/garden. We also go to Forest schools most weeks - again excellent. Other playgroups I have tried and not returned for reasons mentioned above - one of them being hot drinks left lying around.

My inspector did ask me why I didn't attend story sessions at the library and I 'argued' the case - we visited the library at other times of the week and so the children were learning library skills and having access to a wide variety of books, but we deliberately avoided story times because they weren't as good as the story times I offered at home (mums just chatting as the books were being read, monotone librarian, small book, children standing at the front and the ones behind couldn't see - mums to busy chatting to notice etc etc). She totally agreed with me in the end!

You've just described my story sessions that I attend every week! But my children do seem to enjoy it especially as they role play afterwards as we have to hang around for 20 mins waiting for the local lower school to open. We do have lots of chats, walking to the playground, about the various antics that the other children got up to. My mindees seem to love analysing it all so they look like little angels. Which they are of course.