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Original poster

Does anyone else find playgroups a waste of time and money???

60 replies

tahira · 14/03/2006 22:48

Hi all

Been to a few playgroups so that my little one could interact with other kids and also so I could find some new friends aswell.

I found that neither the kids or the grown ups interact with each other at all!!!

I'm finding that I'm paying money for my daughter to go somewhere and play with dirty toys (when she has a housefull of clean ones at home) and I'm having to pay for the privilege!!! OUTRAGEOUS!!!

Has anyone else found this, or am I just unfortunate enough to be going to the wrong playgroups??!!

OP posts:
Milliways · 14/03/2006 22:51

I found these a lifeline. Admitedly, some are LOADS better than others, getting everyone involved etc. My church one was fav & only cost 50p to cover squash & coffee etc - very clean & VERY friendly.

starlover · 14/03/2006 22:52

same here! don't go any mroe

Tommy · 14/03/2006 22:53

Love mine - a pound a week well spent - if just for me and a mate to have a good old chat Smile

brimfull · 14/03/2006 22:55

I enjoyed the one I used to go to.It was only 60p so hardly broke the bank.
ds loved it and I made some great friends.

Why does nobody talk with each other?Have you tried talking to others?

Surfermum · 14/03/2006 22:56

My church one is lovely too. I had to go for quite a few weeks before I really got to know anyone, other than nodding and smiling over the craft table.

milward · 14/03/2006 22:57

Get involved in helping out - this will help you get to know the other parents.

handlemecarefully · 14/03/2006 22:58

Ummm - well you're unlikely to meet life long soul mates at play group....perhaps your expectations are too high?

Play group for me means that my two pre-schoolers are distracted enough for circa 2 hours for me to do bugger all but drink coffee with a free conscience, plus they don't trash the sitting room and we go home at lunch time to a tidy house. Moreover, I get to tick the box marked "providing offspring with fulfilling activities".

starlover · 14/03/2006 22:59

ours are awful. groups of mums who already know each other. usually older than me.

tried to strike up conversations and have been ignored, talked over and had people go "mmmm" then blank me.

starlover · 14/03/2006 22:59

and no coffee Shock

Miaou · 14/03/2006 23:01

We've just started a playgroup and we have a "buddy system" - either a newbie is introduced by someone or they get greeted by whoever is on duty that day and "shown the ropes" so to speak (paying, rules, structure of session, introductions etc). Our group is expensive at £2 per time but there are only ten of us so it needs to be that much to cover overheads etc. Def worth it (well I would say that, I'm the chair!)

rummum · 14/03/2006 23:17

tahira.... I'm not sure what you mean!!
Do you mean a toddler group where you stay as well
or a pre-school/playschool where you leave her for 2 and a half hours!!

If you mean a toddler group, couldn't you offer to make the tea and coffee... and the playschools are often run by a committee... could you put your self forward for that??

I met load of people at toddler group... 9 years on some of us still meet up...

handlemecarefully · 14/03/2006 23:24

Well - I kind of see where Tahira is coming from. I've been attending my local play group regularly (not every week) for around 2.5 years and whilst I now know a lot of people to chat to at playgroup / nod a hello at in the local Post Office, not one of them numbers amongst my friends (have in fact made lots of friends in local NCT). I think there is something about 'Play group' that doesn't lend itself to social interaction beyond the pleasantries.

However perhaps unlike Tahira this doesn't bother me one jot, because I think the play group has intrinsic value in other ways....(see below re distraction for demanding lo's)

brimfull · 14/03/2006 23:28

I've made really good friends at playgroups.

Met my bestfriend 13 yrs ago at one.Have made really good friends 2.5 yrs ago when started to go with ds.No longer go to playgroup but still see the friends.

expatinscotland · 14/03/2006 23:30

dd1 went to one that was all cliqueish and she got rotavirus - twice.

so i said fuck it and found another.

shop around! i take her to one on sat. mornings for working parents that's the poo.

we talk about makeup and getting drunk :o.

Surfermum · 14/03/2006 23:35

I should come to your group EPIS. Nearly every week I sit there and say "I got so drunk on xxx". They must think I'm a right p*sshead, I'm the only one who seems to talk about getting bladdered.

expatinscotland · 14/03/2006 23:45

We're all members of the 'Bad Mothers' club, but I can't wait to show off my latest cream blusher at the weekend. It's fabby stuff!

Socci · 15/03/2006 00:05

We have two near us - a church one which is really nice with clean toys and another one which is a bit rough and where I have had hostile looks so I don't go there any more!

Original poster
tahira · 15/03/2006 12:10

I just can't believe it!!!

I pay £3.50 each time I go and we don't have any drinks or snacks at all!!! Angry

The session lasts for 50 minutes, most of which involves me running around after my daughter making sure she doesn't get trampled by some of the kids running riot, while she plays with the highly suspect toys!!!!

I feel like I'm getting conned!!! Some of you are getting so much more from your measley 50p's, whereas I'm paying a fortune in comparison and don't even get a tea or coffee!!!!
Worse thing is, this one's supposed to be the best around!!!! Angry

OP posts:
colditz · 15/03/2006 12:14

£3:50 for 50 minutes?!!!!!

Good grief, I pay £7:50 for 3 hours at a preschool, where I can leave him, and he gets a snacky lunch!

You are being Ripped Off!

cece · 15/03/2006 12:18

That does sound bad Tahira.

I pay £1.50 but it is for 2 hours - toys are fab, nice sin song and also coffe/juice and biscuits.

compo · 15/03/2006 12:22

who runs your group? Is it a church? Never heard of a Mother and Toddler group being that expensive and only for 50 minutes Shock

Surfermum · 15/03/2006 12:35

Shock £3.50. Ours is 80p and you get a cuppa, squash and biccies for that. And there's always some form of craft thing made to take home.

cod · 15/03/2006 12:36

lets face it time isnt in short supply when you have under 5s

i dontgo andy mroe cos wiht older ones you have no time to move as ou have stuff to do for them

i think it more baotu meeting other owmen than the kids tbh

zippitippitoes · 15/03/2006 12:52

go to different ones until you feel comfortable, they are quite cyclical as people don't go to them forever..if the toys are dirty then volunteer to take a pilowcase full home and put them in the washing machine!

JonesTheSteam · 15/03/2006 12:58

Shock at £3.50!!!!

The one I take DS to costs 1.50 for 2 hours. It is run by one of the local churches in the church hall.

DS gets drink and a snack and I get cup of tea / coffee and a biscuit.

Everyone has been really friendly and welcoming. The toys are clean and well-looked after. They have a singing session for the last half an hour.

I really enjoy it and so does DS.