Starting Your Own Toddler Group

There are established toddler groups in almost every area, but there's not always a toddler group that you like, or can join for various reasons. If that sounds familiar, why don't you start up your own group?

Groups can vary in style, you might want an informal gathering around your own, or someone else's, house.  Or you might want to take a more formal approach by meeting in a local hall.  There are many spaces that will hire cheaply to you for a couple of hours during a weekday morning, churches and their own halls, community centers, libraries or even sports centers. Often you can apply for grants from local authorities or local businesses who have funds to support such activities.  Grants help with the cost of hiring a venue and the initial outlay to buy some toys and other necessary equipment.

Running a group is a lot of work for one person, so seek out collaborators and get three or four mothers involved; you'll find that this helps spur you on as well as lightening the load.  Form a committee to make decisions and meet regularly prior to establishing the group.  Once you're ready to start, you may already know enough mothers to bring to your group, but supplement who you know by printing a few leaflets cheaply and placing them in libraries and on community notice boards.  Charge a nominal fee to help with the ongoing costs, it's a good idea to build up a surplus of funds so that you can renew equipment when you need to.

Creating your own group is no minor task, but it's great fun and you can reap the reward of having your babies attend a group organised just the way you want it to be!  Why not take along ToucanLearn activities for everyone to join in with too?!