To expect toddler groups to not be at lunch time?

[Gigitree]

I’m trying to find some new groups locally for me to take my 1 year old to, but pretty much all of the ones I can find start at 12pm or 1pm
It just seems bonkers to me as the vast majority of toddlers this age seem to be having lunch and the an afternoon nap at this time.
AIBU to expect a toddler group to start in the morning so they can be entertained before lunch?

If it didn’t work for anyone then the group would be empty and they’d realise and have to change it. But if there are some people attending the group then it obviously works for them. As PPs have described, different kids have different routines. Hopefully you’ll be able to find one that works for you

I think it's maybe hall availability too? My nct has a toddler group at 11.30 to 1 so impossible to go to as that is lunch time. I assume they can only get the hall at that time.

Best one I go to is at 10.30 and back home for lunch and sleep with a tired child

We've recently started a new playgroup session on mornings too and I'd say both groups have around the same amount of regulars generally. Different age demographic though but just as popular as the afternoon one.

@Lucienandjean

I run a toddler group at the moment (as a volunteer). I'll tell you, it's impossible to please everyone. We used to run from 1-3, which suited those who had older children to pick up from school. Since covid we've had to move to 10-12, because we need to hire a bigger hall, and some people like the change while others complain. A lot.

Honestly, people are getting a free group with a cup of tea and a biscuit, if they don't find it suits them, they are welcome to set up their own.

That sounds lovely. I would also love those morning times

The ones I go to are £8-£15 a class so that is why I wish the times were not at 12pm

This would ave been perfect for me up until a month ago. My almost 2 year old has only just switched to one nap, all of the toddler groups here are 9.30-11 which was the same time as her morning nap. 12-2 would have been perfect, maybe it was set up by a mum whose baby was on that schedule?

The group will have been timed by the people who started it.
It'll either be a time that works for enough people, or they'll change it or fold.

There's a baby group here that's on from 3.30pm-5.30pm. Loads of people whinge and complain that it's a silly time because of school pick ups, but it's always busy and is generally full of first time parents. I loved it as it filled that lull between afternoon nap and ex getting home and the whole dinner/bath/bed routine started.

3.30-5.30? Oh wow, was dinner included? 😅 Also, you're right that for at least £8 per session I'd be expecting it at a time that suits. Our group is £2.50 a family and includes several snacks like fruit and crackers, decent biscuits for the adults and even decaf, not just your bog standard offerings 😅 we also make effort to rotate toys and put thought into different themes, crafts and messy play so for less than 3 quid, it's a bloody bargain! (Not trying to advertise, I promise.....but if anyone here is in the Derbyshire area...you'd be very welcome to come along 🤣)

Also, you're right that for at least £8 per session I'd be expecting it at a time that suits

I find that a really bizarre sentence. It obviously suits the people that go. People run on different schedules. We didn't have dinner until 6.30ish so there was plenty of time.

At £8 a session it's expensive for a baby group so it's obviously popular or it would have folded.

My local group is at 1pm - seems bizarre considering most toddlers have lunch and a nap around this time. We had to stop going because my DD was so tired.