Joining an Existing Group
All new members are welcome at the Collins Street Playgroup when and where a suitable position is available. Ask the group coordinator how the group functions, participate and enjoy!
Creating your Own Group
Typically done by mothers groups looking for somewhere to meet after their clinic sessions end or their children become mobile, it is important to know that new members can join the group if a position is available. Care is taken to ensure an age appropriate match but this is not always possible.
Joining An Existing Group—as a group
This generally happens at the start of the year when an afternoon or midday group gets a chance to change their position. It is important that BOTH groups recognise that they are now one new group and time should be allowed to merge and find a new equilibrium. Quite often a group of young children (0 - 2) joins a group of older children (2 - 4) and it is important to remember that whilst both age groups have different needs and requirements, that both groups can learn many important skills from each other. The younger child/toddler can learn how to (i) sit at a table to enjoy a social meal/snack (ii) do craft, whilst the older child can learn how to (i) help someone with a difficult task (ii) teach a younger child how to tidy away.
Playgroup is about a learning, caring environment for all. Care and open discussion is required for a group to run successfully.
To Structure Or Not To Structure
Some groups choose to use the playgroup primarily as a coffee and catch up for themselves and playtime for the kids, others use it to start early learning activities such as craft and eating together as a group. This can depend largely on the age of the children and can evolve over the years you and your child attend.
Group structures can vary from:-
No Structure: members provide their own food, drinks etc and all participate in tidy/clean up.
Limited Structure: members have a roster system for key collection/return, security check and tidy up.
Structured Sessions: may include a roster for morning/afternoon tea for children and/or parents, cleaning and security check, even a possible craft roster.
Some examples of structures by group are on the pin up board, alternatively ask your coordinator to contact other group coordinators to ask directly how their group is run.
Vote on a system that will best suit your group, remembering to be flexible to change as your child grows and the group changes.
Cleaning
Please ensure you leave the centre, playroom, kitchen and outside area clean and tidy and free of any food debris.
Ensure that:-
- Toys are packed away neatly (try to find the right box!)
- The floor is vacuumed, you will also need to vacuum or sweep the runner of the glass sliding door to help prevent it sticking.
- All rubbish is disposed of (bins are outside the kitchen area).
The playgroup provides a nappy bin and change area in the ladies toilets. Please DO NOT change your child's nappies in the playroom.
We also encourage that you feed your children outside in the undercover area - it saves food being left in the room to rot, which also attract bugs and nasties.
Keys and Security
Your coordinator will tell you the location of the general admittance key (for collection and return). The keys open the main door to the centre, playgroup room and kitchen door.
A set of keys located behind the main playgroup door allow access to:-
- the locked cupboard in the kitchen pantry.
- the outside toy shed
Should either of these sets of keys be accidently removed from the premises, please return them as soon as possible or contact your coordinator or the President. Before leaving make sure ALL doors are locked, including the shed, kitchen cupboard and pantry, the kitchen (fly screen and door), the playgroup room (including the sliding door) and the main centre (front doors).