A Parent and Toddler Group is an informal group within the local community, which provides an opportunity for young children and their parents/carers to meet.
All groups offer opportunities for friendship, learning, and play.
Parent and Toddlers groups are run by a voluntary committee of parents.
Although called a toddler group, all children under the age of five are welcome to attend.
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, childminders and nannies as well as the parents, are also welcome to attend the group.
The groups usually meet one morning a week for approximately two hours.
Usually a small fee is charged to cover rental, snacks, insurance, toys etc. Usually €2 to €3 per family per week is paid.
Some groups have children as their primary focus and provide activities such as painting, play dough, sand and water play, music, books, games, singing, storytelling, jigsaws etc. These activities promote learning through play.
Other groups focus on the parents, and provide adult activities and speakers.
The group also provides parents with a safe and supportive place, to discuss the challenges and joys of being a parent.
For first time parents this support is invaluable.
It also challenges isolation, especially for parents on their own, or living in rural areas, and these parents can develop deep and lasting friendships.
Many groups aim to strike a balance between the children’s needs and the adult’s needs.
All groups strive to provide a secure, friendly, supportive and safe environment, for babies, toddlers, and young children and for the parents/carers.
In a Parent and Toddler Group parents/carers stay with their children, and are responsible for them at all times.
All groups offer opportunities for friendship, learning, and play.
Parent and Toddlers groups are run by a voluntary committee of parents.
Although called a toddler group, all children under the age of five are welcome to attend.
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, childminders and nannies as well as the parents, are also welcome to attend the group.
The groups usually meet one morning a week for approximately two hours.
Usually a small fee is charged to cover rental, snacks, insurance, toys etc. Usually €2 to €3 per family per week is paid.
Some groups have children as their primary focus and provide activities such as painting, play dough, sand and water play, music, books, games, singing, storytelling, jigsaws etc. These activities promote learning through play.
Other groups focus on the parents, and provide adult activities and speakers.
The group also provides parents with a safe and supportive place, to discuss the challenges and joys of being a parent.
For first time parents this support is invaluable.
It also challenges isolation, especially for parents on their own, or living in rural areas, and these parents can develop deep and lasting friendships.
Many groups aim to strike a balance between the children’s needs and the adult’s needs.
All groups strive to provide a secure, friendly, supportive and safe environment, for babies, toddlers, and young children and for the parents/carers.
In a Parent and Toddler Group parents/carers stay with their children, and are responsible for them at all times.
- If you are looking for a group in your area, please click here
- If you are interested in setting up a Parent and Toddler Group please contact Galway Childcare Committee on 091 752039.
