Planning for play

Having a flexible routine can provide comfort and security for those involved. It creates flow and allows children to become confident, knowing what is happening. 

Many playgroups create a term plan before the new term starts to ensure every week has set activities and sometimes a theme. See our playgroup theme calendar ideas here.

When creating a plan consider:

+ Meeting the needs, likes and interests of all families

+ Having a range of activities that cover each area of development every week

+ Explore different themes for example: the seasons, months, popular trends, cultural celebrations and awareness weeks. you can even link your playgroup theme with local events and happenings in the community

+ Allow time and space to encourage all families to have the opportunity to have input into the planning: does a parent have a special skill they would like to run an activity for? Are the cultural celebrations of the attending families celebrated? 

Remember to be flexible! Playgroups are not always run the same way, sometimes things happen that can affect the plan, just be flexible. Have a few backup activities in the cupboard if things don’t go to plan. 

Most playgroups run for between 1.5 – 2 hours a week, a basic routine might include the following elements:

Arrival

Welcome. Making families feel comfortable is so important. Have a few activities laid out- books, toys, drawing area. Remember to check the play space for hazards, set up the sign in and information area.

Layout

Putting some thought into how your playgroup is laid out can reduce the risk of accidents and conflict. Create a space for babies to keep them safe from older children’s action by putting a few baby toys on a baby quilt surrounded by big soft cushions in a corner of the room.

Understandably, sometimes children choose to play alone. They become immersed in play and focused on an activity. You could set up a table with space for just one to draw or put a felt board in a big box with room for just one to wriggle in. You can also create quiet reading areas by having big comfortable chair or cushion near picture books.

Use big cushions or break up an open area and prevent children running the length of the room. To reduce potential conflict, provide enough equipment for children, for example four paint pots for four children, four lumps of play dough on the table in front of four chairs. Reduce background noise and use music selectively. Children can tune out if there is constant background noise. Play a little music to help children move from one phase of playgroup to another, for example, from play time to pack up time. Decide if everyone in the group will be responsible for welcoming new families or if it will be one person’s role. Every playgroup is different. Experiment with the layout and see what suits the group best. For outdoor playgroups, consult out Wild Things Bush Set-Up Guide for handy hints.

Activity

If you have an activity planned, it is best to start off with this and get the kids really engaged from the start. Looking for ideas?

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Open ended play

Provide opportunities for free play. This simplifies the job of providing play ideas on a weekly basis. It’s a good idea to have the same basic set up each week. Set children off with an idea. For example, they are explorers looking for different types of plants and insects, they are chefs cooking a meal, they are scientists making new discoveries.

Snack time

Wash hands and prepare for a snack. Some groups enjoy everyone sitting down together. This provides an opportunity for adults and children to socialise and catch up. It’s a great time to talk about healthy food. It also allows the group to discuss issues as a group or plan upcoming events. Be realistic about your expectations of young children, most won’t be able to sit in this group situation for long – there’s too much to see and do!

More play

When possible, encourage outside play. Remember that each adult is responsible for the children they bring to playgroup – if the child is outside the parent needs to be outside keeping an eye on them.

Pack-up

Many hands make light work! Packing up can be streamlined if each adult clears away the activity their child is playing with at pack up time. Tell children a little before that it will soon be pack up time so they don’t become frustrated if their play is abruptly cut short. Packing up is easy if each adult clears away the activity their child Is playing with. Encourage children to take part in the packing up. This fosters good habits.

Group time – stories and song

It is fantastic to come together towards the end of playgroup. A story and a song is a wonderful way to bring the session to a close. It creates bonds, and allows children to practice their listening skills, their language skills and their social skills. It is also a good time to have a rest. Try not to be too ambitious with group time, ten to fifteen minutes is probably the maximum time most children could sit happily and pay attention.

Goodbye

At the end of the session say goodbye and collect anything that needs to be taken home. Singing a goodbye song or even just saying “bye” (child’s name) and (parent’s name) see you next week creates predictability and anticipating for returning to playgroup. See you again next week!

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