Anyone run a baby and toddler group (Not company like baby sensory etc.)?

[Thegirlwithnousername]

Hello,
I run a local baby and toddler group in a village hall once a week for 2 hours.
It's just toys and I do a craft and snacks kid of play area for babies and kids.
I am just a mum of two who's taken this on so I feel a bit out of my depth with this virus.
Anyone else in a similar situation?
What are your plans for returning?
Will you be returning before Christmas?
How can you see it working if you do return soon?
I just can't see a fesiable way to do it, With cleaning all the toys once finished to then cleaning all the required bits for the hall.

Your post has actually promoted me to email my local toddler group to say that if and when they do manage to start up again I would like to volunteer my services if needed. I don’t know what is going on behind the scenes but if they are as lovely as you OP and thinking creatively about how they might manage it I’d like to be able to help if I can

*prompted

@DeepTreacle

Your post has actually promoted me to email my local toddler group to say that if and when they do manage to start up again I would like to volunteer my services if needed. I don’t know what is going on behind the scenes but if they are as lovely as you OP and thinking creatively about how they might manage it I’d like to be able to help if I can

Thank you, I hope they take you up on the offer, I would love for someone to offer to help me too, I am loosing my other helper because her little one is off to school. We have lost a great lady that helped with teas and coffee's and she used to read stories and sing while I packed away, - She's moving away and we are gutted. If you are in Dorset I will have you to help me!

I'd do a toy-free rhyme time type session, preferably outdoors.

The Early Years Alliance have put out some info on running groups and it might also be worth contacting the hall that you use. There is specific guidance for them too so they have have some requirements.
The other thing is do you have insurance? If it's an early years specialist they might have some info for you.

Sadly not Dorset though my parents live there - I am Home Counties

@EssentialHummus

I'd do a toy-free rhyme time type session, preferably outdoors.

Unfortunately we have no outside space suitable.

@thanksamillion

The Early Years Alliance have put out some info on running groups and it might also be worth contacting the hall that you use. There is specific guidance for them too so they have have some requirements. The other thing is do you have insurance? If it's an early years specialist they might have some info for you.

Thank you I had looke previous and they have now updated it for us so will have a good read once the children are in bed. They had a meeting last night regarding the hall so just waiting for the minutes to come through. We do have insurance I will ask them. Thank you.

@DeepTreacle

Sadly not Dorset though my parents live there - I am Home Counties

That's a shame :)

There is a shared space guidance for groups regarding cleaning expectations and numbers

Lots of good ideas. Our playgroup has been on hold since March and I’m struggling to see how we can start again.

What about cleaning the venue? Our playgroup is held in a community hall that is used by numerous other groups - including elderly. The cleaning provision is non-existent: each group is meant to clean after themselves, but they don’t. Our group tend to give the toilets / floors a once-over when we arrive and when we finish, but it’s certainly not a deep or thorough clean.

There is a stay and play open near me. Limited number of families allowed in, you can pre-book or try your luck turning up on the day. You wash your hands and put your contact details down on the way in. Then the adults socially distance, but the kids don't. You have to bring your own drinks and snacks at the moment. We mostly stay outside, but the indoor room is open to us if we want.

I think the best thing you could do would be to figure out a way to hold it outside as that reduces the risk of infection so much. Is there a village green or park you could move to?

I'd be happy to bring my own toys personally. It's more about the opportunity to meet other people than about the toys.

For the record I wouldn't personally attend a group that expected adults to wear masks or babies/toddlers to distance themselves.

We have been asked by the council to use the hall for baby groups, they need to run extra sessions to allow for distancing hence extra venue (income for us!) they said everything is sanitized between sessions but people are asked to wash hands on arrival and use sanitizer, then again before snacks which people bring their own now. It's subject to track and trace just like going to a pub, the leader person and assistant will mask, parents don't have to

I haven’t seen the guidance for soft play yet but, as you are in England, your understanding that children don’t have to socially distance with each other is incorrect. That is technically only true in a school or nursery setting, where the attendance is closely monitored for track and trace and the ‘bubbles’ system is meant to mitigate risk.
It is not true that children don’t have to social distance in England (children under 12 don’t have to in Scotland).

Hi, I volunteer at our local playgroup which is run at the local church hall. A mixture of church volunteers (mainly retired people) and then some mums (and 1 dad who's not working that day)

We all met last week (the adult helpers) in the vicars garden to talk about how this was going to be moving forward.

The local Diocean office have said as it's run on church premises and their halls, offices (staff are furloughed or working at home) are closed and churches only just opened with a booking system- other activities have stopped until further notice.

I brought up that

Sorry it sent before I'd finished

I brought up that people miss the social side as they've tried reading stories and doing songs on zoom but it's not the same. Both parents of youngsters but also the helpers.

They've said not until January at the earliest

It's a real shame but it needs to be safe

Hi OP have you read the official guidance that you will be required to follow if you are using a shared space?

guidance

I know you have said you don't have an outside space but have you considered a walk and talk group around the local area?

Seconding the Early Years Alliance. Our local toddler group have been following their guidance

www.eyalliance.org.uk/

Unfortunately it says that kids need to socially distance which just isn't possible for us.

I would speak to the people who run the hall eg church or parish Council etc. They will have a risk assessment for general hall use and know what kind of groups/events they are letting happen. In addition you will need to complete your own risk assessment based upon government general guidance. If the group has insurance, you will need to check with them also.

Only put hard toys out, then use a bucket for the used toys and then you can pour in some Milton's.

You could ask for donations of toys so that you have a larger supply to circulate.

Your price should stay the same to cover costs such as hall hire as well as Milton's and antibac wipes for ride on toys, hand sanitiser for parents at the door etc.

If soft plays are opening, surely toddler groups can?

They have been a lifeline for me and the fact they’re not available anymore is really affecting my mental health.

Thanks for comments.
I hadn't realised that children still need to socially distance in England, I naively thought because schools etc don't have to as such then we could.
I guess that just cements it really, There's no way I can return at the moment then.

@Granolaslice

They have been a lifeline for me and the fact they’re not available anymore is really affecting my mental health.

I am sorry that you are struggling with them not on ATM.. Believe me we are trying our hardest to get them up and running again so hopefully they will be.