Playgroups

[Miss Amanda]

Hello ladies,

I really want to start doing a playgroup drop-in once a week but am having a hard time finding one that is within walking distance to me since I do not take the dck in my car, nor can I take all 5 on a bus since I have 3 that NEED to be in a stroller since they are all 12-15 months. I am located in Bridlewood Kanata. Anyone else on here operating their daycare from Bridlewood and know of any drop-in playgroups within walking distance?

Thanks

[playfelt]

Do you have any churches in your area - some have a mom and tots group that meets once a week? I have seen a list of playgroups and wondering if there is something on the CCPRN website or you might be able to get information by calling them. If they don't know they may know who to contact to find out. There used to be book published by the parent resource centre about things to do with kids and there was a list in there and on their website but forget the link name. Check in local community papers as many will advertise come mid August for Sept start ups. Contact your closest Early Years Centre as they should have a list of local options I would think or at least some contact names.

Also think about your group. If they are so young they can not walk far and what goes on at a playgroup is geared to the over age 2 then this may not be the best option for your group right now anyways. Think about what it is you are looking for in the playgroup as this age plays alone or parallel so it isn't for their socialization as three has each other. Do you need something for you after hours or maybe a different approach to your daycare to mix up what programming you are doing or to join a toy lending library so you can switch out the big toys or go garage sale shopping to get some more toys for your daycare so you can switch out things at home for variety.

[Miss Amanda]

HAHA Thanks Playfelt. You're right! My group is a bit young for playgroups right now. I guess I had a brain fart! LOL

I do have lots of toys, too many in fact and am thinking that I will be making a trip to walmart to purchase some bins to store away some toys and rotate some out every few weeks. As I'm sitting here looking at my playroom (which is my whole basement), it does look a bit cluttered on one wall.

[Momof4]

When my group is that young I take them out to walk up and down the sidewalk and work our way up to being able to walk all the way around the block without crossing any roads. When they get really good at walking together, then we can cross the roads and go to the parks.

It can be done! I have little ones under 2 years old who are expert bus riders. It takes patience on my part and practice for all of us. You never have to be stranded at home if you really don't want to be.

[Miss Amanda]

Momof4, you take 5 dck on the bus? Wow! I'm never stranded at home. We go on long walks and we have 3 parks and splashpad near me. My favorite park to go to is about a 20mins walk from me so it's a good 40 mins of walking to and from and spend a good chunk of time at the park once we're there. I was just trying to think of some other places to go. I would really love to go to Chapter's for the storytime but it's about a 35 mins bus ride including a transfer. I could take a bus now and go places, but come Sept when the rest of the dck start, I wont be able to.

[sunnydays]

I used to take my dck's to playgroups before I moved to my new neighbourhood and I have to say, it was fun for me because I had adults to talk to, but for the most part I found the kids didn't really get much out of it. There is only one playgroup I attend, which was a family literacy centre, that I felt actually worthwhile, but I had to drive to get there. I currently have nothing in walking distance and I no longer drive with the kids, so I don't go anymore. I wish there were one close by for winter just to get out and socialize a bit...but there aren't! I got a list from CCPRN of all the playgroups in my area...you could contact them to send you one.