Toddler Group Rules - What should they be??

[moodywren]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what rules our toddler group should have?

I am putting together a Welcome Pack for our toddler group any ideas for it will be gratefully received.

We are determined to be a friendly group I have been to so many in the past and felt really uncomfortable.

Mums MUST NOT ignore dads.

Be welcoming to newcomers, don't just leave them playing with their DC.

Pay attention to what your DCs are doing, and intervene where needed.

Wotsits do not constitute a healthy snack!

the only rule at our singing group is
Do NOT leave hot drinks within reach of children
AND Do not carry a baby and hot drink at the same time

(they suggest tea partners, and one of you look after the children while otehr mum gets both teas for you)

Really wish some mums would not allow their toddlers (not so much babies but 2 / 3 year olds who can be told) to just snatch toys off oterh children...

i wont let my charges snatch, and when they have a confrontation will always let child who had it 1st keep it, but its annoying in our group as there is 1 little girl whose mum lets her do whatever she likes, including collecting as many toys as possible under her mums chair, and then maoning and snatching back when the other children take her toys... (yes she wants them all to just theri simultaously and whiel over the oterh side of the room her mum think she IS playing with them

they are NOT hers! they are for sharing and she cant ahve them all at the same time and it would be nice if her own mother could point it out to her (or at least agree with other adults) who let their children play with the toys under this mums chair!

Well, depending on your group, here are some things that you need to cover in a welcome pack.

Does the group feed the DCs a snack/drink or should parents bring something themselves?

Are there playleaders who take all the DC off and entertain them while the parents stare at each other chat pleasantly over a nice cup of tea, or are the parents all to muck in with entertaining the DC?

Do you have a policy for Vile Children who beat up the others, if so, what is it?

The main one is that parents watch their own children, and sort out any violence as it happens.

One of the groups I go to (not often) issues a newsletter full of Don'ts and telligs-off! Not very welcoming.

there is some stuff here

Hadn't thought of policy for vile children.

Tea partners sounds lie a good idea

Thanks fishie thats really useful.

I think from experience, one thing I'd say is that the organisers should provide the snacks (healthy and of a consistent quality). The group we tried had a rota for parents to bring stuff in and it was a complete hodge podge (hence the Wotsits comment) and there was never enough. One banana and a few grapes between 10 kids for example.

We plan to provide snacks although to start with they'll have to bring their own drinks until we can get some cups.

At the moment we have no funds and I have just bought all the tables and chairs out of my own pocket.

We've had a couple of escapees recently. You could ask that your parents make very sure they only let their child out through the door when they go to the loo/leave. Amazing how some of the children have a knack of slipping out if you're not paying attention!