Been asked to set up a parent and toddler group but where to start! 19 February 2022 at 9:18AM in Boost your income 5 replies 201 views

savvymum1

Hi, 
So there is a serious lack of activities in my village and I've been asked if I'd run a parent and toddler/baby group. I would love to but I have no idea where to start! I will get insurance ofcourse and have a DBS already, I want to offer tea and cake to parents and healthy snacks for the children and different play areas I also like the idea of offering craft morning once a month and trips out etc is there a organisation that might be able to help me? 

Now I wasn't going to charge much maybe £3 a family and I don't want to really run it as a business but if I could make some pocket money that would be handy as the money for the craft supplies and snacks would come out of my pocket so would I need to register as a business? My local church hall want to charge me £10 a hour and this seems a awful lot 😔 as I have no idea how many will turn up! Do you have any suggestions please? 

Honeysucklelou2

What an exciting opportunity! It might be worth finding out if there ever has been one in the past as there might be a stash of toys or resources in someone’s  attic or garage. 

In the village I work in, a lady set up such a group after a lapse and she was able to get a grant from Mr T’s to help with set up costs.

If you can, I recommend Tuff trays. They can hold anything from Duplo to shaving foam, are easy to store and clean.

Might be worth asking if the church hall has a cupboard / storage area that you can utilise to save having to lug resources back and forth.

JGB1955

Have a look at https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/how-start-baby-and-toddler-group

DishwashingFairy

"I've been asked if I'd run a parent and toddler/baby group" - is the person volunteering your time and effort planning to volunteer their own?

DishwashingFairy

Also - "I want to offer tea and cake to parents and healthy snacks for the children and different play areas" - I wouldn't want this every week. A hot drink and water yes, but snacks like cake every time, no - apart from anything most of the kids would see their parents eating cake and presumably gravitate towards it too. We specifically chose regular attendance at a play group BECAUSE that one doesn't offer a buffet table of snacks and crap each week - there's a drink and a plate of fruit to take safe small chunks from (suitable for weaned babies re: choking hazards)but not a mountain of crap. Maybe we're different, but i suspect you need to be doing some market research in what your local parents want/need rather than just assuming.

qwert10

Used to run one approach local church parish council nursery school local rural council to see bid any grants or advice/ support. Organise a one off factfinding mum and toddler event. To guage opinion. Eventually once set up arrange a rota of helpers.
Also hot drinks might be out due to elf and safety! Sadly. Wouldn't advise snax as every mum has a different opinion on them! Speaking from experience.