Does my baby and toddler group need to have insurance?
Even in the best run groups, accidents can happen. You’ll need insurance to protect your group if, for example, a child/adult or volunteer attending is hurt and makes an injury claim.
While your group may be covered by the venue insurance (please check if this is the case), it’s essential that the level of cover you have is sufficient to meet any claims that might be made. It should include public liability cover and employers’ liability cover (for any volunteers that are working at the group) as a minimum. You may also need to consider other insurance, such as equipment cover, depending on your circumstances and requirements.
What’s a risk assessment and do I need to do one?
Assessing and managing risk is a vital part of keeping the families and volunteers at your group safe. Risk assessments should be in writing and reviewed regularly – especially if circumstances change, such as a new room being used or a new piece of equipment purchased. The risk assessment should record who is at risk, how the risks are going to be removed or minimised, and who is responsible for making the necessary changes, including a review date to check on progress.
Do we need to have a first aider at my group?
Although there’s no requirement for a first aider to be present in sessions, it’s considered to be good practice, helping to ensure the safety and wellbeing of families and volunteers. Local first aid training providers often have a course suitable for volunteers that covers the basic key areas of first aid training. The British Red Cross also offer some free first aid training and advice online, along with details of their free first aid workshops: bit.ly/U5-RedCrossFirstAid.
Please ensure that there’s an easily accessible and appropriately stocked first aid kit available at all times. You’ll also need a confidential accident book to accurately record any accidents and treatment provided.
How do I get a bank account for my group?
Most community organisations, including baby and toddler groups, will need to have a bank account in the name of the group to manage the group’s money securely.
It can take time to open an account as there’s a process to go through, so you’ll need to ensure that the account you choose is suitable for a community group and not a business account. You may also need to prove that your group is voluntary and not-for-profit to qualify.
Some high street banks offer community accounts – make sure that they offer the services and type of banking access you require, such as a cheque book, internet banking and/or a debit card. Make sure that you have least three signatories on the account so that payments can be set up and authorised by more than one individual.
Should we offer a snack?
It’s entirely up to each group whether to offer a snack, but it can be a great way of bringing families into your group and having the shared experience of eating together. You can also help families with ideas for low-cost healthy snack options. Traditionally, many groups have offered biscuits, but there are healthier alternatives that could prove just as popular.
A great activity that gets everyone involved is preparing the snacks with the children, who are often more adventurous when trying new foods they’ve helped to make.
If you choose to offer a snack, it’s important to be aware of any dietary restrictions and allergies. You may like to consider asking local shops or families attending the group to donate snacks to help to keep the costs down.
What are some good core activities to have out each week?
Your group can be a valuable opportunity to show families the importance of play for young children’s learning and development. The best activities are often the simplest and don’t require expensive resources.
Take time to consider the ages and stages of development of the children that attend your group each week, for example, non-mobile babies as well as toddlers on the move. It’s also vital to ensure that the resources and activities you offer reflect the diversity of the families attending to help them feel welcome in your group.
Younger children and babies will benefit from play experiences that encourages them to explore the world using their senses. They’ll also enjoy activities that involve them reaching for and manipulating objects, such as soft balls or toys that rock or roll when touched. As they get older, children enjoy transporting and sorting, so bags, baskets and boxes are good resources to provide, along with push-along toys that can help little ones gain their balance.
Many children also enjoy getting creative and experiencing ‘messy play’, which they may not have the chance to do at home. Consider, too, how you can give children the opportunity to build their imaginations – a home corner or small world toys such as farm or train sets, for example.
Don’t forget that you can share books and stories in the group, as well as enjoy singing together with lots of accompanying actions and chances to join in.
Where can we advertise our group?
You can publicise your group in many different places: on your local Families Information Service; through family hubs and children centres; community noticeboards; posters in the library; the doctors or schools; and online through social media. Most of these options are free, but there are also other listings available that require a small charge.
Is there any funding that we can apply for?
As a not-for-profit organisation, you can apply for funding. A good place to start is the GOV.UK website – bit.ly/U5-CommunityFunding – which will list any community funding programmes in your area. You can also contact your local community hub or volunteer support hub, which may hold a listing of local funding opportunities to support volunteers and community projects.
How can we find new volunteers?
Speak to the families at your group because they may want to be more involved in running the group. You could also try reaching out to local colleges where students on early years courses may be looking for some work experience to support their studies.
NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) also has a website to support organisations that need help to find volunteers: bit.ly/U5-NCVO-volunteers. There’s a link here to find the nearest volunteer centre in your area where you can register the roles you have available for individuals looking for a suitable volunteering opportunity.
How many families can we have in our venue space?
Initially, check with the venue directly to see if they have any capacity guidelines or if there are any insurance or fire regulations that limit the number of people in the room. Then consider the space and layout of the room – you’ll need to be able to keep exits clear and give children space to play safely, considering the type of equipment you have and the age of the children. There may also be areas that are not suitable to be used and need to be closed off. Think, too, about the needs of your families and volunteers – you may have to factor in mobility or access needs to ensure that everyone is welcome.
How do we keep in touch with families?
A welcome pack for when families first arrive at your group can give all the key pieces of information that are needed such as session routines, your policies and procedures and special events. You can also use this opportunity to manage any expectations about the group and ensure that parents/carers are aware that their children are their responsibility at all times.
For ongoing communication many groups now use social media such as Facebook or messaging services such as WhatsApp. These can be closed groups so that anyone wishing to find out more about the group needs to join and agree to the group rules.