Starting a toddler group

Early in the autumn of 2008, members of St Anne’s Episcopal church in Coupar Angus began praying regularly about how to reach out and interact with the local community.

As a result, we started a monthly “Drop-In” session in the church hall in January 2009. The aim was to attract all age groups - both young and old - into a friendly environment where they could relax and chat over a cup of tea or coffee. A 6 month review of the sessions, however, found that, although they had attracted some regular visitors, they had not really succeeded or grown as hoped. The reasons for this were thought to be the timing and a lack of focus for the group.

Finding out the need

Following some local research, including consultations with professionals concerned with children (including Health Visitors, the local council child strategy team and Home Start), we decided to re-launch but on a regular weekly basis (every Monday morning) and with a focus on young parents, babies and toddlers – a Parent and Toddler group.

The Health Visitors were very enthusiastic about it, as there were no facilities for this age group in Coupar Angus and they felt there was a desperate need to support the young mothers in such a rural environment. They gave us advice on selecting a mum as the paid leader, who would be backed up by volunteers. We then conducted health and safety assessments and arranged for Child Protection disclosures.

We advertised our Parent and Toddler group through the school, doctors’ surgeries and local notice boards. We distributed flyers saying we were starting at the beginning of the Autumn school term (this starts mid August in Scotland) and hoped to attract some young mothers with older children in the school.

Rapid growth

The first week 7 mothers/carers and 12 children came. However, by half term there were 16 adults and 20 children, despite a big outbreak of chicken pox in the town! Less than 3 months after opening, we already have 35 children on our register.

The group has provided a valuable point of contact for the Health Visitors. We screen off a corner of the hall where they can weigh the babies and catch up informally with those mums who do not normally venture into their clinics.

We were given a generous donation for “treats” and have purchased a set of toddlers’ percussion instruments. We have also planned a Christmas party, with knitted nativity set and simple carols, and will give each child a board book on the real meaning of Christmas. Next term we plan to run a second morning, having been given funding for the leader by the local council. We will also be starting a monthly “Tots Praise” session using material from ‘Playtime’ and other web sites.

We are learning as we go and it is early to assess the impact on the families involved but we have had 3 requests for baptisms and we hope that by being a friendly welcoming place next to the church, we are building trust and friendship with the local community.

Charmian Paterson

January update:

Our Christmas party was a huge success with everyone singing carols around the crib. Each child received a ‘First Christmas’ story book as a gift from Santa. With extra funding from the local council we are now starting a second session. We have also been asked to provide something for senior citizens so will be hosting lunches followed by a film show or indoor kurling soon.

Last Updated 06 December 2010