What makes a great baby and toddler group?

[babyandtoddlergrwp]

And what makes an awful one?

Trying to set up a new group but I wanted to get ideas on how to make it somewhere people want to come back to.

The one we've gone to since DS was about 8 weeks old (he's now 3) is so popular, there is a waiting list. I think because: £1 entry, tea/coffee and biscuits included.

• throwing things/ sliding around/ being too rough with or near babies/much smaller children
• not allowing babies/ smaller children to use toys or do activities because they're breaking/ hogging things or physically preventing other kids (pushing/ shoving etc)
• being physically nasty

The above is especially bad when the older kids are only there because of parents taking younger kids/ babies during half terms etc!!

Definitely pay as you go.
For a toddler/pre schooler: —
plenty of space, different activities/toys and free flow
friendly organisers
someone making sure all parents/carers have a drink.
simple idea but I loved one which had travel type mugs with a lid to limit spills
plenty of space for adults to sit
toilets close by and ideal if they have those little kid seats
healthy snack if kids want it
an outdoor space is lovely

The best baby group (under 1’s) I went to was based around the idea of ‘treasure baskets’. There was a big blanket area in the middle of the room with lots of everyday/sensory type objects on it. Adults sat round the edge and chatted while babies explored/slept/cuddled. Organiser made everyone a hot drink and biscuits! Made a really good friend there and it really reduced the boredom, isolation of those early months.
big point was the group was described as 0-walking which meant everyone felt babies were safe exploring on the floor and it was safe to have a hot drink as no toddlers running around.

One where the staff running it notice the mums not talking to anyone, who reach out and notice, who stop for a little chat.

Ok, but some of those things are to be expected of certain age groups and it’s a matter of understanding how toddlers/ preschoolers learn certain skills at certain ages. For example, 2 year olds don’t know how to share as that’s not learned until 3 plus so that’s not bad behaviour if they don’t share. Also to note, how do you know that a 5 yo doesn’t have SEN? Therefore thai is probably the reason the organisers didn’t “challenge the parents on their behaviour”.

Please don’t take this the wrong way but it sounds like you have little experience in toddlers/ preschoolers behaviours yet. You are being quite judgemental on this IMO but I agree with your other points.

My play group i attend is full of poor behaviour.

My child was strangled by an older child at one ive never returned to it. Her carer was nowhere to be seen, busy chatting to her mates as her child put her hands around mines throat and choked her.

The one i currently attend has a particular child who has a thing for snatching every toy off my child and also follows her about throwing heavy wooden toys at her face at every given opportunity as her mother feebly says no darling.

To be honest, this is why I didn’t really enjoy stay and play type things. I found my DS was just a nightmare and would constantly try to take toys off other children: obviously I didn’t let him, but it meant any social benefits for me were minimal as I spent all the time following him around ensuring he didn’t grab things from other children.

Indint think any of the things that @BabyMamaStepMama listed are appropriate behavior for a toddler group, bar maybe the sharing one as kids learn that when a bit older. Yes sometime younger kids can do some of these whilst learning but I’d expect parents to be on it and intervene early on especially if they know their child often behaves like this. No one minds a kid snatching if their parent is right there explaining to them how they should behave instead, it’s the parents who just let it happen that people don’t like. Hitting, biting etc. isn’t acceptable though and parents need to intervene before it happens.

I would say for me a good group would consist of good staff mostly. I really enjoy some of the staff and sessions at my children's centre and hate when they rotate staff and we get someone im not keen on. The good ones show a genuine interest in everyone who walks through the door and not just certain people. They should also have some sort of knowledge on basic childcare things or at least be able to sign post you to resources.
No cliques.
Parents must supervise their children and not be allowed to sit back and let them run amok withno repercussions.
Food or drinks optional, my breastfeeding class had drinks and biscuits but our play group doesn't.
We have two separate areas joined together one for pre walking babies and one for walkers and toddlers its good as parents with both ages can keep an eye on both kids in age appropriate areas.

Yes they are to be expected. But if you have a 5 year old in the same group as a 1 year old, then certain behaviours can become quite dangerous and need to be managed (whether that's a designated area for the older children or being told to stop doing something near a baby).

I would expect any parent, whether their child is SEN or not, to manage their child's behaviour to ensure everyone is safe. You don't even need to be a parent to think that expectation is reasonable.

Parents letting their children run wild and out of control is the issue.

I'm not sure why you have taken my comment so personally, it comes across that you're being quite defensive about it. If I have said something that has triggered you, perhaps that's something you need to work on.

I haven’t taken it personally at all, just highlighting there are other factors.
I don’t take my toddlers along to my baby’s play sessions so don’t worry you haven’t triggered anything! lol

Diverse mix of people. Mostly relaxed with few organised sessions. Decent coffee in proper mugs and a leader who sits back and chats with everyone.

Bad one: organised singing, etc. and a leader who tries to take charge of everything and dishes out unwanted advice.

My favourites are the ones with friendly staff who have a zest for life. The ones where parents are encouraged to introduce themselves. I go to a sing and sign class where the instructor invited to the coffee shop after to chat, that’s the one I go back to more often even though it’s far away.