Baby and Toddler
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First steps
Baby & toddler groups cater for a wide range of parents and carers. Some are happy to become involved as helpers while others use it as an opportunity to meet new people and enjoy socialising with their friends. If there isn’t a baby and toddler group in your area, you might think of starting one up. There are many benefits to both carers and children.
Before you begin there are a few things to consider. There is no requirement to register with Ofsted as parents and carers are responsible for their children at all times. You will however need to take into account relevant legislation such as health and safety, fire regulations, the Race Relations Act and the Disability Discrimination Act.
Your local Children’s Information Service (CIS) can provide lots of help and advice. They may be able to provide information on the times and days that other groups run in your area, so you can avoid clashing with them.
Parent and carers are responsible for their children during the session and must supervise them. Children should not be left unattended.
Somewhere to meet
You might consider church halls, scout huts, clinics or community centres. While looking at possible venues, ask yourself these questions:
- Is the heating adequate, and safe?
- Is the floor reasonably smooth and easy to clean?
- Are there kitchen facilities?
- Are toilets and washbasins satisfactory and who will be responsible for cleaning them?
- Is there space to store your equipment safely?
- Is the street door childproof?
- Is there a safe place to leave pushchairs?
- Are there stacks of tables and chairs and heavy furniture (e.g. a piano)? Can these be made safe?
- Are there fire extinguishers? Are they serviced regularly? Are the fire exits kept clear?
Expenses need to be covered
You need to be clear about your outgoings:
- Rent - how much and do you have to pay for storage?
- Do you have to pay rent during the holidays?
- Is there any extra charge for heating and lighting?
- Are you providing refreshments?
- What will you need to spend on materials like paint, sand and glue?
- Do you need to purchase equipment?
- Are you a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance? Click here to receive a free membership pack containing the benefits.
- Insurance is essential and available with the Pre-school Learning Alliance. Contact the Insurance team on 020 7697 2585 for further information.
When you have added together all your costs and decided how often to meet, you can then calculate how much you need to charge for each session. Remember attendance may go up and down so weekly income will vary.
Looking after your money
- Make sure contributions are collected at each session.
- Keep the money in a secure place (such as a lockable cash box) during the session.
- You will need to open a post office, bank or building society account with at least two, and preferably three signatures.
- Keep simple accounts of incomings and outgoings.
Sharing the load
All decision-making is a lot easier and more fun if it is done on a shared basis. Many baby and toddler groups form a committee as a way of sharing the work. It’s a great way to make new friends.
If you wish to become a charity you must elect a formal committee to include a Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer. You will also need a Constitution and can adopt the Pre-school Learning Alliance Model Constitution. You must also register with the Charity Commission if your annual income is more than £5,000.
If you do not wish to have a formal committee it is still very important that responsibilities and tasks shared out. It ensures the group runs smoothly, no jobs are left unallocated and no one person gets overloaded.
Basic equipment and resources
Although most of the children attending will be under five, on occasion carers may bring older children with them. This must be at the discretion of the organisers.
Toys do not have to be new but they do have to be clean, safe, in good condition and appropriate for ages of the children using the group. Play equipment can include dough, paint, water, sand, large cardboard boxes, paper and crayons. If you have large physical equipment such as a slide it must have safety mats placed around it.
If you share premises with a pre-school, it may be possible to borrow some of their equipment, but if not, ask carers if they have any toys to donate. Dough is cheap to make, cardboard boxes are free, and water can be put in a baby bath. Tables and chairs usually come with the premises, but check their height, condition and safety. Remember a washable rug for babies to play on.
You will need cups and a kettle; these are usually available but check first. You might have to provide beakers for the children too.
You will also need a register, accident book, first aid kit and access to a land or mobile phone.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL EQUIPMENT USED CONFORMS TO C.E. SAFETY STANDARDS AND CARRIES THE BRITISH TOY AND HOBBY ASSOCIATION LION MARK.
Things that need to be done
You will need someone to:
- Book the venue for the days when the group is going to meet. Make it clear to the landlord that you will be making regular bookings for six months to a year, or that you will need the venue term time only.
- Agree a tenancy agreement or lease.
- Negotiate with the caretaker or landlord when to collect the key, unlock (lock up) and how to return the key. Make sure the venue is left as you found it.
- Keep a register at each session of all who attend. This is vital in case of fire or other emergencies.
- Keep a file of members’ names, addresses and telephone numbers so you can let them know about important information, for example, special meetings or infectious diseases.
- Keep an up-to-date inventory of equipment which should be kept away from the premises (for insurance purposes). Check equipment regularly.
Meeting & greeting
It’s very important to welcome newcomers as they arrive. If parents don’t feel part of a friendly group, they probably won’t make the effort to come again. It is also helpful to give newcomers information on how the group runs. An informative welcome letter lets the new member know the ethos of the group and its statements of practice.
A termly newsletter helps carers to feel part of the group. This can contain, for instance, fundraising ideas, second-hand items for sale, up-coming social events, babysitting circle details and skills available among members.
Publicise the group with posters displayed in libraries, clinics, infant schools and on church notice boards to guarantee a steady flow of members. If the session becomes too crowded, open a waiting list or try to open another session on a different day if the premises are available.
Setting up the room, providing refreshments and clearing away
It may take a few attempts to find a suitable layout for your group. When setting up the adult chairs make sure the chairs are outward facing or circular as this encourages people to mingle.
When setting out your room always think of safety:
- No access to the kitchen for children
- Secure the outside door
- Babies need a separate space
- Different activities in different areas
- No hot drinks in the room
- Use of signs gives clear reminders
You may want to serve refreshments. This is your decision but please note:
- No hot drinks near the children
- Be aware of allergies
- Healthy options may be preferred
Clearing away is a good time to introduce singing or a short story, enabling carers to help with the tidying up. Tidying away can be made fun and children soon get to know the phrase "tidy up time".
Group guidelines
You may wish to use the following guideline:
We encourage children to be kind to each other at all times and ask for your help to ensure that your child’s behaviour does not affect other children’s enjoyment of the group. Members are expected to show respect for everyone attending the group and treat everything that is said or overheard in confidence.
And remember... No Smoking - No Shouting - No Swearing - No Smacking
Pre-school Learning Alliance Development Workers may be able to offer you advice and guidance. Details of development workers working in your area can be obtained by contacting your local Alliance divisional centre.
Across the country, the Pre-school Learning Alliance supports and runs many thousands of such groups and the resources published on these pages are tools to help those involved to manage and improve the quality of the services offered to children, and parents and carers.