It’s time to sort out those toys

The toys at your toddler group don’t need to be brand new, but they do need to be kept clean and safe. The end of term is an ideal time to check them over, as it means they can be repaired or replaced before the start of the new term.

A cupboard-tidying and toy-cleaning session can be a team-building, or even team-expanding, session. People who are unable to help with the toddler group, perhaps because they work during the day, may be persuaded to support you in this way. The more the merrier! When I do this with my group, we always try to leave time at the end to share a pizza and pray, whereas ‘Good Company’ group in Knockholt reward themselves with desserts – read their story here.

Here is a handy checklist to help you organise your toy-cleaning session…

Equipment

• Bin bags
• Charity shop bags
• Washing up bowls
• Washing up liquid
• Old toothbrushes
• Cleaning cloths
• Tea-towels
• Replacement batteries
• Screwdrivers
• Allen keys
• Toy-mending tools, e.g. wood glue, superglue and a sewing kit

Checklist

• Throw out any toys that are beyond repair or un-cleanable.
• Pass any unsuitable or surplus toys on to a charity shop.
• Use child-friendly cleaning products and, wherever possible, stick to cloths dampened in washing-up water. Most toys are best cleaned with as little water as possible. Electronic toys in particular will short circuit if water penetrates them. A toothbrush dipped in water and shaken to remove excess liquid can be used to get into all the cracks before wiping over with a damp cloth. Handy hint: Duplo can be washed in net bags in a dishwasher, then rinsed and dried.
• Mend any toys which are broken and tighten any loose screws.
• Replace dead batteries.
• Take home and wash fabric items, e.g. dressing up clothes, ragdolls, rugs and cushions. Handy hint: Teddies fluff up nicely in the tumble drier!
• Make a shopping list of items to replace and nominate someone to do it.

If you are short of funds, you could consider the following ideas:

• Your church may fund toys as a capital expenditure, especially if they are used by other groups.
• You may be able to apply for a community grant. Contact your local council for details of those available in your area.
• Early Learning Centre gives a 10% discount to toddler groups. Simply open an account in any store by providing proof of status. Subsequent orders can then be made by phone or online.
• Organise a Christmas bazaar. At our last one, the Wooden Toy Company gave us a percentage of their takings to spend with them, whilst Barefoot Books offer a 10% cash-back to their host groups.

Fiona Burt

Last Updated 06 December 2010