setting up a BABY AND PARENT GROUP

[nickytwotimes]

ok, folks, i need your help. i'm trying to set up a parent /carer and baby group in my small town. it will be for 6 to 18 mths as there is already provision for new babies and toddlers. there are around 10 of us interested atm. someone is going to help us with regard to form filling, health and safety, etc, but i would be really grateful if any of you could let me know any hints and tips on what to do/not do! thanks very much.

bump

Hi Nicky

In the group I go to, we do the following kinds of activities:

Songs (particularly those with actions)
A very basic story
Messy play (ie the babies are given bowls of beans, rice etc to play with)
Playing with different textures and shapes (eg brushes, pans, soft toys, blocks etc)
Communal trips to the local park
Trips to the sensory room in local Children's centre

Hope this is helpful.

very helpful, thank you jess
anyone else?

?

do you have toys/equipment sorted?

I'd do mostly free play with a snack time, song time and craft time (craft can run alongside free play as an option).

One group I went to had tidy up time before song time which was good as everyone stayed to tidy up (LOs enjoyed helping with this).

like tidy up time!

Maybe you could try to get visitors to give talks to the mums whilst the babies are playing. For example

*a library representative to discuss Bookstart
*Local osteopaths to discuss lifting/carrying
*HVs to discuss child development

I found that lots of people are willing to come and talk to big groups to promote their wares/agenda