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Step 1
This is how it works: You will find several parents who are interested in being a part of your play group circle. Each day during the week of Spring Break - all the kids will go to play at ONE house. Every day the house they go to play at rotates to a different member of the group. You will have all the kids at your house for ONE day and all the other days you will have somewhere for your child to go.
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Step 2
First you need to determine how many kids you think should be in the play group circle. The main factor to take into consideration is the ages of the children. You can probably have more tweens or older kids in your group than if you were doing a play group of toddlers.
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Step 3
Once you've decided on a number of kids for your play group, you need to find the kids to fill those spots! Ask the parents at school or in your neighborhood if they are interested.
Find a few you feel comfortable enough to leave your kids with for a few hours! And if their kids are kids yours like spending time with that's a huge bonus! -
Step 4
Once you have all of your participants make a schedule.
Each parent gets to pick a day of the week to host the play group. A time needs to be set for play group, whether it's a set time each day or the time varies from day to day. -
Step 5
You need to discuss whether or not more than one parent will be needed to supervise the play group. Maybe someone has a teenage child that would be willing to help keep the kids entertained for a few dollars a day.
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Step 6
The participating parents need to agree on certain things, such as the daily length of the play time, whether or not the kids should bring a snack or if the hosting mom will provide a snack and a drink, and if a set activity like a craft will be done each day.
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Step 7
Basic ground rules should also be covered such as what the children are allowed to do (going outdoors etc), what they are allowed to watch on T.V., or if computer usage will be allowed, etc.
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Step 8
Once you have your play group all set up get ready to enjoy having your kid free time. Here's my advice - do the hosting FIRST so that you have all the rest of the week to just enjoy the whole idea!
Comments
Arathi said
on 2/27/2009 Great idea!
Sush56 said
on 2/22/2009 Great idea! Kids often get bored easily, this will come in handy especially during spring break.
PajamaMommy said
on 2/21/2009 I like this idea! We can all use a break sometimes!
Gardengates said
on 2/21/2009 Good idea for creating a play group circle for the kids. Summer is indeed coming, even if it's hard to believe right now!
sneedc said
on 2/21/2009 I would be totally game for this, but I know of a friend who is paranoid and wouldn't want any kid (barely her own) in her house. Thanks for the notion, though, it's a WINNER! 5*