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Original poster

Brownies Question

18 replies

CloudyVanilla · 31/12/2019 15:30

Not sure where to post this and hoping someone can answer as I can't find the info on the website, strangely.

Can I register my 4 year old DD for brownies now? I've heard there are quite long waiting lists and also all the info on the site seems to be behind a registration wall - as in when I click on info pages, it just says register how to find out more.

Grateful if anyone whose DD does brownies can let me know when you put their name down. :)

Also, is it worth it for a 5 year old? Do they enjoy it? I'm slightly concerned that starting school full time (DD is September born) and starting an evening club might be overkill for her.

OP posts:

Original poster

CloudyVanilla · 31/12/2019 15:30

OP posts:

Original poster

CloudyVanilla · 31/12/2019 15:31

Gosh sorry realised it's not Brownies is it, it's Rainbows! Just meant Girl Guiding in general :)

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WishUponAStar88 · 31/12/2019 15:33

Rainbows starts from 5. Many groups get booked up years in advance so you’re definitely not too early! All children are different so only you know/ can guess if it would be too much but my dd has done 2 after school activities a week from starting reception and it’s never been an issue.

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Akire · 31/12/2019 15:34

Find out where your local unit is or go via their main site and it will eventually be passed to the right person. You can put child down for rainbows and brownies to start at 5 & 7. Some units may have long waiting lists over 12-18m anyway.

WishUponAStar88 · 31/12/2019 15:35

I did the online registration when she was about 2 (busy area!) and then had an email a month or so after she’d turned 5 to say she now had a place if we wanted to come along for a couple of trial sessions before committing.

HoneysuckIejasmine · 31/12/2019 15:35

Yes you absolutely can. The system will ask for her date of birth, and someone will be in touch usually the term or so before she's old enough.

lucysmam · 31/12/2019 15:35

Yep, put them down now.

If there are Rainbows in your area, the website might default to Rainbows but iIrc you can select your preferred unit (been a while since I actually filled out the enquiry page but I run a popular Rainbow unit & Guide unit) :)

In almost 5 years of running my Rainbows, I've only had one 5yo who struggled with the timing after school (we finish at 7:15pm so I imagine most are straight to bed when they get in).

PhannyMcNee · 31/12/2019 15:36

www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-your-daughter/

This website is where you can register your daughter. If you have no preference, go for the nearest unit. The leader in charge should then get in touch with you and let you know their situation.

I think you can choose up to 3 units (not sure as I’m a Brownie leader so only get the emails from parent enquiries)

lucysmam · 31/12/2019 15:36

& your post has reminded me I need to email back a parent; so thanks for that!

DeanImpala67 · 31/12/2019 15:37

I'd imagine that registering on the girlguiding site will send your details to your local Rainbows pack who will then get in touch with you. Never too soon to register as some packs have very long waiting lists. My daughter has done Rainbows, Brownies and is now a Guide, she loves girl guiding and it has really helped her confidence and given her lots of great experiences and opportunities as well as making some good friends outside of school. Can't recommend it highly enough. My daughter is a December born and started when she turned 5, she coped fine as it wasn't that late a finish for Rainbows - think it was around 6.00pm. Hope your daughter enjoys it!

Rodent01 · 31/12/2019 15:40

Register as soon as you can, google Girlguiding Join Us. It will give you a choice of the local units (if applicable) and you can put her down for Rainbows. If the wait list is v long and they have no hope of her making Rainbows they should advise you and you can roll the application over to Brownies when she’s 7.

Wait lists where I am are a good 2 years.

Original poster

CloudyVanilla · 31/12/2019 15:41

Thanks all for you help, I have gone ahead and registered her awh I love the idea of her being part of a nice club, and I was having trouble finding unit info but you were right it has let me know the names and locations of units when registering, and one is very close to us!

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Original poster

CloudyVanilla · 31/12/2019 15:42

:O 2 year waiting lists! My goodness!

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scissy · 31/12/2019 15:52

Yep. Although sometimes that is caused by parents refusing the offer of the unit with spaces 0.2 miles up the road (in the same "large" town!)

lucysmam · 31/12/2019 15:57

Agree with that; my waiting list is down to two girls who are not quite old enough yet so have offered to try and ease lists elsewhere...no-one wants to come 5 minutes down the road

BackforGood · 31/12/2019 16:16

There are also a lot of parents that put names on waiting lists, then don't want the place when the time comes.
At my local Beaver Colony we were aware there were 25 on waiting list, did a big recruitment drive for new Leaders, got the experienced Leaders to split, secured a room for another meeting night, and started calling everyone on the waiting list with the good news, to find only 7 of the 25 were actually waiting, but none of the others had bothered to get in touch and say they no longer needed the place.

Original poster

CloudyVanilla · 31/12/2019 17:38

Oh dear sorry to hear about your lists, sounds very frustrating especially since people are volunteering their time :(

Our nearest is a mile away so not too bad

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happypotamus · 31/12/2019 17:45

My DD turned 5 in October half-term and started Rainbows a few days later. She loves it and doesn't seem anymore over-tired than she did before she started Rainbows. I think I put her name down a year or 2 ago, but I knew it wasn't hugely oversubscribed because DD1 had already been.
However, if you think she will be too tired starting school and Rainbows at the same time, the Rainbows leaders might let you delay her start there until after half-term or after Christmas if you want. I am a Guide leader, and we let parents do that if they are concerned that their only just 10 year old isn't ready or won't manage the late night (we finish at 9pm and some 10 year olds go to bed earlier than that)

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