Playgroups run by religious organisations?

[Lysa]

Does anybody know if a Salvation Army playgroup would have any underlying religious connotation? Its just I want to get out a bit and playgroup sounds ideal however the local one to me is held in a Salvation Army building. I am unsure if it is run by the organistaion or just held in the building. Even if it was, would that really be a concern, would it be a different experience to a state run playgroup?

I saw the playgroup info on netmums website so the details were very limited.

It?s in nunhead by the way!

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Don't know about Nunhead but have been to 2 Salv Army playgroups in London. One in Hammersmith which was brilliant - best run playgroup I've been to - loads to do, art, craft, great play stuff. There was no religious pressure but we did 'celebrate' Christian religious stuff - so at Xmas we had carols and at Easter the kids had religious stories (rather than normal ones). Sometimes they would sing religious songs (whole world in your hands etc.) but I'm not religious and I never felt it was over the top.

The other one was in SW London and that was hardly religious at all, more like a standard playgroup.

Generally what I have found is that they are run by lovely people. You can always try it and if you don't like it, just don't go again!

Snap twiglett - it takes me so long to type

Even if it is run by the Sally Army then I think the most you might see of a Christian nature would be songs like "Wide wide is the ocean" and "If I were a butterfly". They might invite parents to events or an Alpha Course for example, but it really wouldn't be in their interest to make a big deal of their beliefs. If it's a playgroup rather than just a mums and toddler group, then it should be Ofsteded etc too. Give them a ring, I'm sure they'd be more than happy tp chat through any questions. hth

I run a playgroup in a church hall but it has nothing at all to do with religion and it's never mentioned !

Just a place for mams and kids to chat and play

Or am I thinking of a pre-school?

BTW I go to 2 M&T groups run by 2 different churches. In one, the only time Christianity is evident is when the kids get birthday pressies from the local Xian bookshop (books about Noah/David and Goliath etc). In the other group, it's a bit more overt, but only in terms of singing and a little prayer at the end. It all depends really.

I used to help run a Church toddler group and like the others said we just sang a few religious kids songs. We also went into church for easter etc.. but there was no pressure, you could stay in the hall if you wanted. Plus just like any toddler group you can try it and see.

A friend persuaded me to come to a church-run playgroup in SE15 which was lovely in many ways - however, I was assured there was little religious content and this was the fortnight before Easter. They got the children around and we stuck coloured paper on eggs etc - very nice - then the leaders said, 'we are going to show you a little animated film about the real meaning of Easter." Lovely. Only it was HORRIFIC. Jesus being flogged and nailed to cross. His mother weeping helplessly (Ds: "mummy, the lady is crying!". Jesus's dead body removed, limp and bleeding from aforementioned cross. etc etc. It was like The Passion for teenies. Toddlers baffled and worried, mums all in shock. Friend v apologetic. Apart from that though, it was a very nice playgroup.

This is really interesting and helpful. I've been looking at some local groups in my area but have also been wondering about whether the location (i.e. in churches) means there will be some religious content. I think I will just go along and see Thanks all

IME a lot of playgroups held in church halls are often nothing to do with the church - the playgroup are just renting out the hall. But some churches do run toddler groups and playgroups, and ds1 goes to one run by a church. As it happens it is in a very mixed area, so has 12 nationalities represented in it (and we're talking about 18 kids!), and I therefore imagine a number of different religious backgrounds. I believe that they are exempted from celebrating other religious festivals, but so mark Christmas and Easter. Go along and see - there's only so much religion the average 3 year old will put up with...

Aloha, how horrible! Were they really aiming something at the mums? Can't see ds being able to grasp anything like that.

It was almost funny, it was so hideous. Fortunately the kids (max age about 3.5) didn't seem to grasp what was going on, though ds did get anxious about all the crying. But my friend's father had died a couple of weeks beforehand and she was really upset that her kids were watching such a gruesome and upsetting portrayal of death (and coming back to life) when she was struggling to explain it to her kids that grandad was dead and wasn't coming back. She actually complained to the organisers. Mel Gibson's kids would have liked it though

aloha, your story made me laugh even though it was not a funny time for you I am sure. I will just go along I think and play it by ear, I have feet so like many of you helpful people have said if I dont like it leave and never return. Salvation Army Hall here we come :0

I was rasied RC but dont practice but to be fair the christmas and easter events will be celebrated at home, minus gorey details ofcourse.

Thanks for your help x

To be fair, I think it was a one-off. Friends go to the Sally Army mums and toddler groups and really like them - no crucifixions! Have fun.

I went to a new Moms & Tots this week in a church hall and i've got to say it's the best one i've been to.
They do a religious story and activity and everyone there is lovely, they all made an effort to talk to me and Ds. It wasn't packed full of children who's mom's are to busy chatting to watch what they are doing. I have been to to other groups in different church hall's and they never mention religion and I've got to say 85%of the mom's are the most unfreindly,cliquey women i've ever met! Im going to stick to the religious one it seemed the best to me