What do you look for in a baby/toddler group?

BAGGY

Decent buggy parking area. I was made to feel an outcast when I bought my double buggy to classes.
Eager 'helpers' to catch one twin wehn he went wandering.
Craft - even sticking junk together or putting rice in a bottle for shakers.
Non-judgy leaders. When my 2 were less than 6 mths one asked me how I was getting on and I kinda told them is was all a bit poo at that time. Her reply was to get out more. Like how? I'd already explained that I have no support, no GPs, and sometimes felt like I was abnormal because I had twins with a huge buggy which meant I was fair game for people to gawp at and tut when I took them shopping.

pigpen

9 mums sounds plenty to me.. that would be 18 children if they each had 2 and that would be awful. Noisy, boisterous and it gets cliques forming so new mums won't stay.

I loathe busy groups (I don't like small ones either but big ones.. well.. I have been known to leave afte 10/15 minutes.

As for activities.. I'd consider a 10 minute sing or 2 minute story. Children can make as much mess with stickers as they can glitter.. it might be worth asking the cafe owners what they will allow.

Playdough (cheap home made stuff keeps well in a plastic bag/tub in the fridge.. add glitter or aromatherapy oils for variety.. a few plastic cutters.
Would the cafe allow you to make little sandwiches with the children or food tasting.. fruits, veggies for example.
Printing.. ink pads and potato stamps or rubberstamps.. anything on tables wipes straight off but you'd use a plastic cloth anyway for any activity I'm sure.

Mojisola

aliama wrote: »

I agree with Dizziblonde; ice-breaker introductions are awful. I loathe them, find them toe-curlingly embarassing and I hate hate HATE sitting in the circle, waiting for it to be my turn, and stressing out about what I'm going to say. If I want to talk to people, I'll talk to them; don't force me to, please.

With our toddler group, one of us acted as a "greeter" each week. When someone new turned up, we would welcome them, chat with them for a bit and introduce them to a couple of other people.

questionss

I think I would stop the specific age for babies / older child and just say that all mums and babies/kids up to age 3/4 whatever you decide and that you have a range of age appropriate toys.

Ours runs year round and is up to age 8 in school hols.

Ride on toys, stickers, dressing up & play kitchen are all popular - as is our own bouncy castle but that's coz we have it in a fab huge village hall!