Cleenish Cross Community Parent and Toddler Group

Cleenish Cross Community Parent and Toddler Group has been meeting since February 2007. Rosie Bridle, from Enniskillen, explains what they do and why...

“A new housing development in our village and the lack of any facilities for the under 3s meant there was a great need for fun and friendship among the parents and carers in our community.

“We meet every term-time on Tuesday mornings from 10 until 11.30am in our parish hall. We have a regular staff of six, two of whom work in the kitchen preparing healthy snacks for the children, and coffee and scones for the adults. The scones are baked for us by members of our Mothers’ Union. We provide snacks for about fifty people each week and the parents pay £1-£2 each to cover the cost of the food.”

What else do they do?

“Before snack time, we provide structured and non-structured play activities. We mark the festivals by running craft or painting activities, and we made pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. Our morning ends with Circle Time, when parents and children sit on mats (generously donated by friends who own carpet shops). The children use shakers and various percussion instruments to accompany the keyboard while singing actions songs. Our music time concludes with a short time of praise. We then encourage the children to help tidy up while the parents enjoy their last few minutes chatting to friends before going home.

“Since February we have run an eight-week Music and Movement course entitled ‘Jo Jingles,’ and a six-week Baby Massage course. We have regular visits from health visitors who weigh the new babies and answer any queries the mums may have.

“Initially we were overwhelmed at the numbers, but thanks to a very committed team of helpers we have managed to keep going – the positive feedback we get from parents and health visitors makes it all worthwhile.”

Mothers’ Union Offer

‘Families First’ is a new magazine from Mothers’ Union, packed with features about relationships, parenting and community action. Each edition turns the spotlight on a subject from a top TV soap and has advice on family relationships from a counselling expert.

Regular columnists include parenting course leader and author Lindsay Melluish, marriage counsellors Tony and Anne Hobbs, and award-winning author Michele Guinness. There are also great competitions and prizes.

Send for a free sample and, if you like what you read, order some for your toddler group. Each magazine has a cover price of £2.50, but a bulk order of a pack of 10 costs just £15.

Call (020) 7227 0620 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Last Updated 06 December 2010