Baby and toddler groups

[MozFan]

I know it’s probably the lowest of the list of priorities right now.
But all the talk of social distancing in schools and the new normal has got me thinking, for one they won’t be able to socially distance in nurseries. But also thinking about baby and toddler groups. I’m really missing them. I know they’re likely to be the last thing to re-open, but does anyone think they will try to implement social distancing? Surely it’ll be impossible?

Haven't got a clue but following with interest... I could also really do with getting back to a few groups!

We watch the Baby Club on CBeebies. It's not the same as going to a group but my 18mo loves seeing the other babies and we sing the songs.

I've found it a good alternative. I think baby groups will be OK once playschools go back x

Small children cannot be asked to social distance, it would be impossible. I hope they open again soon, they are a lifeline for a lot of parents.

I can't see why anyone would want to go to them until there's a vaccine. They're not essential and I really can't see the attraction in my toddler being in that close of proximity to potentially infected adults/kids.

Absolutely outweighs any positives for me, hugely.

I think about this too. I'm a sahm to a 2 yr old and we really miss going to groups. There's no way of keeping toddlers 2 metres apart surely

I run a group at my church. I’m concerned that it will be one of the last things to restart as it’s so hard to distance toddlers compared to school age kids.

I wonder if they allow small groups whether we run in shifts? Too early to say yet but if anyone has any ideas as to what would work then I’d love to hear them. Maybe those with non-mobile babies could meet up at 2m spacing?

Some of them are doing online classes at the moment if you're interested, Jo Jingles and Baby Sensory are doing them in some areas. My Breast Feeding Support Group are doing the weekly group as a Zoom Meeting, everyone logs on and has a coffee and a chat. Check out your local Facebook pages for info.

@TheOneAndOnlyPedroPony I will want to go to them. I’m not waiting for a vaccine personally. No one knows how long it’ll be for one. I can’t imagine not going to toddler groups for 18 months.

@peajotter that would be me out, as I have a very active 18 month old! But he loves the groups.

What about private nurseries though? Surely there will be the same issue there with social distancing?

I run groups for children 0-6
It would be impossible to socially distance. Even keeping number low won't stop tots running amok because that's what they do.
Our baby groups are now done on Zoom. These groups are really only for the parents, babies get nothing out of baby groups but parents do so a big online chat twice a a week has been great. For most it's one of the only contact they have in the week.

We are having many meetings trying to figure out the future and how to safely run groups but we have nothing safe yet.

Like pp said, maybe they will allow them for non mobile children but even then babies put everything into their mouth. I just think it would impossible to control. Such a shame as my son adores his playgroup and soft play. I'm due in June and I'm wondering if this baby will ever go to any groups before school - at least she will have a brother to learn how to socialise with. I am looking forward to parks opening again though. But even then my plan is to go really early where hopefully it will empty and wipe down the handles etc!

Does anyone wonder how nurseries with babies and toddlers will socially distance ? Surely there will the same issue here.

I think play groups may be one of the last things yo reopen as they won't be classed as essential.

I’ll be so sad if baby and toddler groups can’t happen anymore. My DS has no siblings yet and he gets so much out of these groups.

I can't see why anyone would want to go to them until there's a vaccine. They're not essential and I really can't see the attraction in my toddler being in that close of proximity to potentially infected adults/kids.

This is my stance too - and it's not even just about the COVID-19 risk. Even prior to this, immunisation rates in the under 5s were declining and the UK had lost its measles-free status - now due to lockdown, there will be lots of children missing their routine jabs and lots of parents complacent about catching up.

What about nurseries? Previously my DS was going to nursery 3 days a week and I know for a fact there was no social distancing going on there, including toddlers taking dummies off each other and putting them into their own mouths.

@PowerslidePanda I understand that but what about babies and toddlers missing out? It’s a vital part of socialisation

You'll just have to manage and make your own fun, which is what people do who live places where there aren't groups, or who can't afford them/to travel to them.

Nurseries and childminders won't be able to socially distance, but the difference is that it will be a small group of adult staff and children, not all sorts of random adults plus staff. This is lower risk anyway. But childcare providers are necessary for full functioning of the economy; baby and toddler groups are not. I've been home for 6 weeks with my primary age and toddler dc. It's been fine. We don't need to be entertained. The only challenge is working my full time job while doing it.

@mindutopia I go for my own mental health too. I think many other parents do as well.
I’m sure they will open up again at some point, well I’m hoping so anyway and maybe limit the numbers attending

Touching on another thread, but honestly, this is the perfect situation for making your own group of perhaps 2-3 trusted low-risk families and making an agreement to stick to one another only, as much as possible.

I think toddlers need socialization too, but I don't think official/organized groups are essential.

I've been home for 6 weeks with my primary age and toddler dc.

With all due respect, if a toddler has an older sibling at home, that's kind of different. But some of my friends have only a toddler and are understandably concerned that their child literally never interacts with another kid.

Toddlers only play by themself mostly anyway. Or parallel play till about 3yo.

Imo if uk go for masks that enables more people to get out. So maybe play parks. With hand washing. Just a few in at a time.

Of the children that died in usa (3 i think) i think they were mostly very young so babies.

I don't know, it is difficult. I agree that social distancing can't happen in nurseries which is why they've closed them. But I guess the difference is that nurseries are essential for people to work whereas toddler groups aren't essential (although I do understand that they are essential for mental health) unfortunately. And also it is different with toddler groups in that you can go to the same group every Monday but so many different people come every week meaning much more mixing of adults. Whereas nurseries tend to have the same staff.
It is hard to know I guess.
I'm a nanny and I can't see me going to toddler groups for a long time.

Can I just add that I’m actually somehow missing the hell that is soft play and can’t see how that can ever open again!

I understand that but what about babies and toddlers missing out? It’s a vital part of socialisation

I disagree - as a PP said, before the age of 3, they play alongside each other rather than with each other. It becomes more important after that, but I don't think a couple of hours of toddler groups a week is enough to have an effect - they say it's really obvious which school starters have been to nursery and which haven't. However, there are enough children that don't go to nursery that I don't think it's a particular disadvantage to be less socialised by the time you start school.