Benenden Toddler Group

Benenden Playgroup Rooms on Thursdays from 1.30 - 3.00pm
Everyone always welcome

Click for:     Introduction     Overview     Time & Place     Registration     Safety     Other Info.

Introduction:
Being a parent can be wonderful and great fun, but it can also at times be exceedingly tiring, stressful, lonely and boring! So if you want to escape from the house, meet people and make friends, share some of the worries and difficulties as well as the joys of having little ones around, come and join us.
The children also have the chance to play and socialise with other children, and may even learn to share toys and parental attention!  

Overview:
Our Toddler Group is run by the parents, for the parents. One or two parents/carers volunteer each term, and they ensure the smooth running of the sessions. The group is run on an informal basis, so that you can feel free to come and go as you please. There is no rota for duties, but do please offer to help. For instance:-
When you arrive, please help to: Get out toys and equipment from the cupboard; Open the sand tray; Erect the climbing frame if wanted.
While you are here, please help to: Talk to new parents, and make them feel welcome; Make drinks for parents and children - everything necessary is kept in the cupboard under the cooker; Make sure your own children are happy and safe. Remember they are still your responsibility, and play with them when they want you to.
When you leave, please help to: Clear away equipment and the climbing frame; Wash up and put away any cups, etc.; Sweep floors, and set out tables, chairs etc. ready for Playgroup; Make sure that all fires and lights have been turned off.
Nappy-changing facilities are limited, so please be discreet and take your soiled nappies home with you! If your child needs a feeding bottle or beaker to drink from, please bring these along with you.  

Time & Place:
We are open on Thursday afternoons from 1.30 to 3.00pm during term time (also during the holidays if enough people request it and if they make sure that any older children who may attend are fully occupied).
We have close links with Benenden Pre-School Playgroup, and are permitted to use their premises on the first floor of St George’s Club, which is just by the crossroads at the west end of Benenden village.
Do come along and join us for a cup of coffee and a chat, and of course some fun with the children. If we seem a bit noisy for you or your child at first, just stay for a short time to begin with.  

Registration & Charges:
When you come along for the first time, please enter your name, address and telephone number in the register, and then sign in each week with the number of children you bring. If you should leave early for any reason please also ‘sign out’, by crossing through your name. This is necessary in order to comply with fire regulations.
At the moment, the charge is £1.50 per family per session, which goes into Playgroup funds to help towards the costs of renting the room, heating, insurance, as well as drinks and biscuits. Please put this money in the tin on the table when you sign in.  

Safety:
Please don't forget that the Playgroup Rooms are usually used by older children, so there may be things that are unsuitable or even dangerous for toddlers and crawling babies. The children may need extra supervision, especially at the Sand Tray or on the Climbing Frame.
There is a First Aid Kit on the wall in the kitchen; if you need to use any of the contents, please leave a note of what items need replacing. Please also ensure that you are acquainted with the position of the Fire Extinguisher.
There is a car park at the rear of the building, which you should always use as the main road is busy and dangerous.
Lastly, please take care going downstairs, and always shut the gates after you to stop little people ‘escaping’.  

Other Information:
Benenden Toddler Group is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, a national charity linking member Toddler Groups, Pre-School Playgroups, and interested individuals throughout the country.
The P.L.A. runs short courses for parents and carers, and details of those currently available are shown on the Notice Board. They also organise functions locally, such as the Teddy Bear’s Picnic in the summer, and can arrange talks on relevant subjects by request.
We enjoy close links with Benenden Pre-School Playgroup, which caters for children from 2½ to 5 years, and if you would like more information about them please e-mail, or telephone the Supervisor Mrs Lene Darracott on 01580 714901.
Insurance is provided by Playgroup, covering accidents to both adults and children, as well as property and equipment.
If you would like any more information about our Toddler Group please e-mail, or telephone Mrs Darracott on 01580 714901.
We do hope that you will join us at Benenden Toddler Group, and that you and your children will enjoy the sessions.  

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