Potential new drop-off playgroup Post Reply

[dropoffchildcare]

Hi all,

This is not my usual username, as I thought it would be best to set up a new profile for my potential new business.

I live between the commons, and have one daughter. I have not returned to work, and my background is Early Childhood Education (I was a nursery teacher for two years).

I am considering setting up a drop-off playgroup, and am interested in feedback on if this would be something you (or people you know!) would be interested in? My daughter currently attends something very similar (which is AMAZING!) but I think there is room for another one in this area!

The playgroup would be aimed at the following mums (but of course all circumstances would be welcome!):

Mums who have a second baby, and want some time with them without the toddler
Mums who just want a little time to themselves, without paying for a day nursery place or sending their toddlers to somewhere with such long hours
Mums who want to get their toddler used to being left before starting 'proper' nursery school

Or a combination of the above.

The playgroup would be run in someone's home, either mine or the person I set up with (who would also be a local mum).

There would be 2 hour sessions, Monday-Friday, term time only, probably 9.30-11.30 am. You would be able to choose either 2 or 3 mornings (Probably Monday-Wednesday OR Thursday-Friday).

Toddlers would be able to attend the term after they turn 18 months, so for example, a May 2011 birthday would be able to start in January 2013, and toddlers would be able to stay until the term they turn 2.5 years (in the same example, the toddler's last term would be September 2013) although of course you could choose to do just 1 or 2 terms, (for example if your toddler was starting nursery 'school').

Activities would include things such as:

Painting/drawing/collage etc
Playdough
Role play area
Jigsaws/puzzles/games
Cooking
Singing, dancing and bubbles
Basic number and letter work in a FUN, play based way
Sand and water play

and your child would bring home something each day! The sessions would be carefully structured, and would include a break for a drink and a small snack. We would have a maximum of 10 children in a session.

We (myself and a friend) would both be fully CRB checked (I already have been through my prior work but would get a new check), and first aid qualified.

We would NOT be OFTSED registered, because under the 'rules' a setting does not have to be if it is providing 2 hours or less childcare a day, and this cuts out a lot of the 'red tape' that we would otherwise have to go through. We would be fully insured, of course.

It would, essentially, be a place where your young toddlers could be left to have fun for a couple of hours, socialise with other children, and get used to being without Mummy, while you have some 'me' time, spend time with your baby or get through the mountain of admin etc!

Cost wise is TBC but it would work out to be comparable with local nurseries/nannies.

Thoughts/feedback very welcome, thank you!

[sezwedz]

Where do I sign up!!, sounds like what a lot of mummies I know are after. My son won't be able to attend nursery until he is 2 1/2 due to when his birthday falls but is already very social and loves being around other children (thanks to his older sibling) and of course I would love some "me" time.
Please I hope this eventuates because this area could really do with something new and without a 2 year waiting list.
Good luck and keep me posted.

[MrsAmanda]

Brilliant idea!!

This is just the sort of thing I was looking for a year ago and couldn't find. Couldn't get a nursery place for my son until he was 2, and I was pregnant and uncomfortable. Somewhere he could go for a few hours a week to give me a bit of a rest would have been perfect. And it would have got him used to nursery surroundings.

He's now at nursery, and I have a 7mth old. But it's definitely what I'd be looking for for my younger son in a year's time. The thought of a couple of hours on my own - a manicure, or just to do the supermarket run without tantrums - is bliss!

[clapham_mum]

That is indeed a fabulous idea and something you don't have to think about of setting up. I'm sure all places will be booked immediately! Please keep us posted if you've decided to organise the playgroup, I'd be very interested!

Regards x

[dropoffchildcare]

Thanks so much for the feedback so far.

I need to get organised in terms of finding another mum who definitely wants to run this with me, (I have a couple who are interested) and sort out all the details/insurance/paperwork etc, but I do hope to get this up and running, hopefully for January 2012...

I was hoping for September this year, but it might be too soon to get everything together and done well.

I will keep you posted-and if anyone has any queries or wants to be put on a 'contact me when you're having initial interest chats' list, please drop me a private message or email with your details.

Thanks!

Amanda

[ClaraB]

I love the idea. I have a 17-month old who screams when I leave him and I'm going to start work (part-time) soon. I'd love to have somewhere where I could get him used to the idea without leaving him for too many hours... I live in Battersea, so would depend on how long it took me to get there, but it sounds great .

[mummySW18]

I think this is a brilliant idea and would definitely be keen and know of lots of mums who would be very keen too. I have a 18 month old daughter who would LOVE this and needs some form of entertainment, as the nursery she is down to attend she can't go to until she is 2 1/2.

Look forward to hearing more about it when you get started and booking in!

One question - where are you likely to be based?

[CheekychappieMum]

That does sound good and I'd be amazed if it wasn't an instant hit....but and it is a big BUT....would there be any way you could run it in the holidays too? It's just that most playgroups/activities etc grind to a halt during holidays and half terms but us mums still need the odd break!! If you've got pre-school kids would it be possible to run it year round and maybe split it with your business partner during August and other key holiday times? Winter afternoons can be very challenging and difficult to fill when it's dark and cold...

[Groucho]

Yes I think it's a good idea but I would say that if you don't live close by 2 hours is probably a bit short. It would be fine as a starter for the first few weeks while child got used to it but I think pretty quickly 2 hours would be too short a time. By the time you got to destination for said manicure you would be clock watching to get back or at least I would. 2 and half to three hours would be better but I understand about the ofsted red tape.

[dropoffchildcare]

Thanks again for your feedback.

The reason it would have to be 2 hours only is to fit in with OFSTED regulations. If it was a big success and there was demand for longer hours, perhaps we could look into registering with OFTSED and extending the hours, however, as you can imagine, that would be more of a lengthy process. We will bear it in mind though! My daughter attends a similar place which is 2 hours, and it is tight, I'll admit, but enough time to do a few bits and pieces and have a break...

Timings wise, it will be 2 hours, but we might have to adjust slightly from my original timings due to my own daughter's nursery.

We are likely to be based near Wandsworth Common/Broomwood Road... I don't want to go into details about this yet, as I am still chatting to the other mum about it all. But v. local to Northcote Rd etc.

We should know more in a couple of months time-and once we're ready to go I will come back and post-and to everyone who's emailed or sent me a PM I will be in touch directly.

Thanks again!

[dropoffchildcare]

PS

In regards to running it during the holidays, I would probably have to say no initially, BUT if there was demand, again, it is something we could potentially look into, but I couldn't commit to that for now...

[sparkletiger]

I'm a member of a parent run cooperative nursery called Childspace next to Brockwell park. We are Ofsted registered and have a maximum of 7 children (aged 14 months to 3.5) per session. We employ a nursery worker to run each session (9am-2pm) and parents take turns to run the session with her. You also provide lunch when on duty. All parents are involved in cleaning and tidying up at the end of a session. As there are 7 children you are on duty roughly every 7 weeks. It's different to what you are proposing but thought I'd post as the model works really well. we all take on roles to facilitate the running of the nursery and though time consuming at times it's great to be involved. I definitely get time to be with the baby and my daughter loves it.

10 children in someones house may be a bit chaotic, especially during settling in. We have quite a big space and garden with lots of equipment and can still feel hectic. Its a great idea though and I'd def be Interested if I lived closer.

[anootka]

please let us know of any updates and how we can sign up, thanks!