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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

or should I change playgroups!

22 replies

Lulou · 20/04/2007 15:37

Last week i started DD1 (2.
5) at playgroup for the first time. I had been to have a look around and some friends from my toddler group with older children had taken them there in previous years. Everything looked ok, they seemed friendly etc. The session lasts 2 hours and i stayed with dd1 - they encouraged me to stay to help her settle in. There were 3 of them looking after 11 children but they were more interested in chatting amongst themselves than actually interacting with the children. The session consisted of drawing on scrap paper, with no theme or direction. Then 2 cups of juice and 2 biscuits where the children had to sit still for 10 minutes whilst the leaders had coffee, continued to chat and one even ate a pear! (whilst the children were fed biscuits). The children then were taken outside to play on trikes within a semi-circle of cones - being told off every time they ventured out of the cones. The leaders sat in the sun and continued to chat as some of the children struggled to peddle the trikes! Do you think I should perservere with this group - maybe its because its the first week of term? or do i think i should find a different playgroup?
P.s. i'm paying £5 per session for this, i feel i do far more at home

Advice welcome please!

OP posts:

Fillyjonk · 20/04/2007 15:38

no, it sounds crap

especially the lack of intereaction with the kids

hunkermunker · 20/04/2007 15:38

Sounds cack. Are they Ofsted registered?

Washersaurus · 20/04/2007 15:40

You have to remember that playgroup is about the children learning to interact with other children as well as adult involvement, but if you are really having doubts about leaving your DD there maybe you should have a look for another group? How was your DD when you picked her up - that is usually a good indicator?

zippitippitoes · 20/04/2007 15:42

sounds terribly dull

and nothing loike ones I have experienced

HEIFER · 20/04/2007 15:42

agree sounds cack to me too (love that word)

I would definately move to another group..

Sounds more like a mother and toddler group without the mothers!

I would definately expect much more direction and interaction from the leaders.

suzycreamcheese · 20/04/2007 15:43

they should at least be interested in the kids...i would search out another...

Original poster

Lulou · 20/04/2007 15:43

Apparently, haven't seen the report though. they seem nice enough but just don't seem to have anything much planned. Just thought they would be making things and stuff. Do you think i should give it another week. I can get her into another one which i know is better in sept but it means she'll miss out til then. we do do toddlers, baby gym and things though .

OP posts:

zippitippitoes · 20/04/2007 15:44

and far more activities

should be access to a range of activities, puzzles, books, pretend play, etcetc

and outdoor time

the children should be able to move from one thing to another

Original poster

Lulou · 20/04/2007 15:46

We have only been to two sessions and they were keen for me not to leave yet. DD1 seems to enjoy herself but always does with other kids.

OP posts:

Washersaurus · 20/04/2007 15:49

I mean it doesn't sound like a group that I would pay a fiver for, but maybe give it another go and see if it improves, have you asked them about structured activities etc?

Original poster

Lulou · 20/04/2007 15:52

They do have other toys books etc the kids can play with, I just didn't feel comfortable with the way they didn't take much notice. the second time we went, they moved the chairs back and gave them all hula hoops to play with and they all soon got bored as there wasn't enough room and again no one showed them what to do with them or anything, just a case of play with that . might just be me being picky!

OP posts:

tigerschick · 20/04/2007 15:53

It doesn't sound great to be sure. But might it be better than nothing? Especially if the other activities you do are ones that you do with her? May be stick it out for a while and see if it improves then move her to the better one in September. But if you really aren't happy then I'd look else where. £5 is a lot for what you have described imho.

Original poster

Lulou · 20/04/2007 15:59

they did say they would make some pizzas on friday but my DD doesn't go on a friday . she also said they were going to plant seeds a some point. Just thought they would make more of an effort especially with me sitting there. They also made comments about another playgroup leader who wasn't there and a few remarks about the kids backgrounds. Just didn't feel right to me. Not sure why to say i'm leaving though if I move as I live quite close and bound to bump into one of them ( I know where they live and all about them from their conversations. oh and they forgot I was coming to start with too - just don't seem organised.

OP posts:

ChippyMinton · 20/04/2007 16:04

Doesn't sound very promising. You will need an ofsted registered one if you are going to get grant funding when your DD turns 3. have a look here

zippitippitoes · 20/04/2007 16:07

find another one and tell them that you have decided to go to playgroup x instead

Original poster

Lulou · 20/04/2007 16:07

thanks for that i'll have a look.

OP posts:

Nemo2007 · 20/04/2007 16:07

does sound a bit naff. DS 3.6 goes to a playgroup 3 mornings a week and has done since sept. His session were £4.50 a session[now free as he is over 3] but they do loads of stuff. The girls are lovely and always playing with the children, make a point of knowing their names and names of any siblings. They have a huge selection of toys out that alternate every day. Ds loves it there and must admit I prefer it to the other one I started him in. The other one he went to for a month and they didnt know his name or what he liked. Everytime I picked DS up they basically had a tv on with videos and kids lined up on chairs while they sat talking.

Nemo2007 · 20/04/2007 16:08

also if their sessions are only 2hrs I dont think you get the funding then either..think it has to be 2.5hrs

KateF · 20/04/2007 16:09

There should be a proper plan, at least for this half-term, with activities related to the six areas of learning of the Foundation Stage and this should be in a place where parents can see it. Your dd should have a key worker and her progress in different areas recorded. Frankly it sounds awful and if there's no improvement after a few sessions I would look elsewhere. Especially at £5 per session!

Washersaurus · 20/04/2007 16:16

I wouldn't be shy about telling them why if you decide to go somewhere else. In fact I would mention it to them anyway (well I'm a trouble causer what can I say)

PinkTulips · 20/04/2007 16:32

sounds terrible!

wouldn't send my dd there at all tbh

Original poster

Lulou · 20/04/2007 16:37

thanks for comments, think I will take her out next week. Have already got her a place at another in sept so will hang on til then i think. They also left a little girl with bogeys hanging from her nose all the time they were outside . she even told them at one point that she had bogeys and they all just ignored her. If i'd had the keys I would have gone back in and got a tissue myself.
I'll prob just make some lame excuse up as i'm bound to bump into one of them at the local shops.

OP posts:

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