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

[tahira]

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??!!

Mine is brilliant, I didn't know anyone when I moved here and through the toddler group I now know lots.

None are what I would call friends or best buddies to me, they all know each other from school so it is hard to get an 'in' iyswim, but they are all pleasant.

My proud moment (saddo) a while back was that it took me ages to walk home as I kept bumping into people and chatting.

Mine costs £1 and you get free tea and coffee.

Noone is ignored either, new people are introduced.

prefer the drop-in we go to, doesn't charge but make donation for tea/coffee, i usually put a pound in every month or so. prefer the flexibilty of not going all the time.

I used to go to one that is 3.50 a go and a further 1.50 for each additional child, even if they are babes in arms.

I was ok but certainly not 5.00

Well I still think mine is well worth the money!!! At the end, the kids get a tiny mini packet of haribo!!!! Now that's GOT to be worth the £3.50!!!

Thanks for the suggestion zippitippitoes but unfortunately I've got more important things to do than clean snot, dribble and God knows what else off other people's toys!!!

Well I went to one and made friends who I go for nights out with. One friend is having my now 5yo DS after school because the CM is on holiday. Another friend is having him tomorrow.

I never took my kids to playgroups after the first experience with ds1. tedious places. Much better to go ot amates house or potter around together.

and as for tumble tots! go to the park and sing a song on the way there.

Beetroot I totally agree!!!

The kids are a lot more comfortable and you don't have to worry about the mad ones running around knocking everyone over and their mother's just totally ignoring it!!!

My daughter's first experience at a play group ended with her catching German Measles!!! It's scary to think what kind of things they could pick up.......maybe I'm just being an OTT over-protective 1st time mum!!! LOL

Well I certainly never worried about what my kids pick up. And I don't go anymore because a) I have friends and b) they changed the day they hold it to a day I work. DD goes to nursery 3 days, goes to baby swimming and gets to play with DS's friend's siblings. The one we see most often is only 4 months older than DD anyway.

Tahira - if she doesn't catch a few bugs from playgroup etc, you'll have it all to come when she starts reception class in infants...

if nobody cleans the toys then that's why they are dirty, i think these toddler groups are most effective when they have a strong committee and community spirit

Handlemecarefully

I agree, but there's what I call necessary dirt and unnecessary.

Yes, I allow her to eat something off the carpet when she drops her food on it, but I won't allow it if it happens on the pavement-as I've seen other people do.

She tried to lick the bottom of my shoe before which I quickly grabbed off her. My MIL laughed and said I was being OTT but when I asked her if she would like a lick, she shut up!!!

I treat my daughter the same way I'd like to treated and not as a 2nd class citizen-maybe you think that's wrong, everyone's entitled to their opinion. I won't allow her to rummage around in the bin and I don't see why she should have to play with things covered in stranger's snot, dribble and God knows what else.

I agree there should be a good community spirit, but that's only going to happen if new people are made to feel welcome-not completely ignored. Also, having found out whatever else is paying for their playgroups-you'd think they were making enough of a fortune out of us (especailly as they have 2 sessions a week) to be able to afford clean toys!!!

I don't think my expectations are high at all!!! I'm not looking for life long friends or for it to turn my child into the most intelligent person that ever lived. I would like some kind of benefit for the money I've spent-surely that's not too much to ask!!!

Maybe I've just been going to the wrong playgroup-but apparently, I've been told by a few locals that it is the best one for miles!!!

you seem abit....dare is ay it...attitudey..tahira.maybe that's why people aren't so friendly??

Yes maybe they are scared - I am!

LOL!!!

Believe me I'm not. My friend who's the most layed back person in the world feels the same-thought it was a complete and utter waste of time!!!

When I told her how much some of you were paying (with coffee chucked in for good measure) she was gobsmacked!!!

She agrees that they could at least, if they're not going to bother with drinks, have clean toys for the kids!!!

tahira - agree with others - £3.50 is very pricey for a playgroup. Might be worth you checking out if any nearby libraries do a pre-schooler story time, they are usually free.

Alexsmum

someone would only know if I was attitudey if they'd actually acknowledged my existence. I think it's a bit hard to judge someone when you've not even given them the time of day!!!

tearsbeforebedtime

great idea-never realised libraries did such a thing-will check it out on Monday and let you know if I have any success.

Thanks!!

our library have a free one, with lots of singing and dancing and stories.

our toddler group costs €3 (about £2) for 2hrs, tea and juice and biscuits, craft-based activities, everyone joins in with tidy/cleaning/tea making etc. quite a new group, not many toys yet, but everyone joining in looking for funding and grants.

T, maybe you should try a different group, if you have a choice?

Gloworm your playgroup sounds brilliant!!! Yes I will start searching around a bit more-I realise now what a con my last one was. Libraries are a definate possibility-as I said, I never knew they did playgroups!!! Will check it out!!! Thanks!!!

Tahira, so are you talking about a Parent and Toddler group, with just toys and parents sitting around, no activities or anything? £3.50 for 50 mins is the usual price for a music group, or a gym group, or something like that, with a play leader organising the children into some sort of game. You would maybe get more from a group like that in your area, I am sure there are some if you ask around. Your HV would know.

Franny and zooey

it's kind of half and half. The first 30 minutes is the kids let loose on the toys, then they get you to sit in a circle and sing.

The only interaction between the people holding the session and us is the last 15-20 minutes or so.

Hmm, well, at least you are getting something for your money, but it sounds like a lot to me. Why don't you try one of the franchise groups, loath as I am to recommmend them e.g. Jo Jingles, Tumbletots, to get an idea of whether you like a very structured class more.

Otherwise try an ordinary parent and toddler which would normally charge between 50p and £2 for a couple of hours, and you would get tea and biscuits as well.

I've looked into those other groups before but I don't want to be leaving my daughter at a session by herself until she's older and more independent.

Have just called my local library who hold sessions but they will be closing at the end of March for 9 months for a refurb!!!!

CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!

that's annoying isn't it, Tahira? You could try seeing what's available at your next nearest library then, if that's not too inconvenient to get to.

www.netmums.com is good for local listings for groups etc.

excellent!
thanks for the help!!