Prepare for Playgroup in a Central Location

Our thanks to Carren W. Joye for contributing this information to Matchingmoms.

Some playgroups meet in central locations, such as libraries, churches and parks. If this is the case with your group, you don’t have to worry about cleaning your house when it’s your turn to host playgroup! However, you still need to remember a few things to ensure that playgroup goes smoothly.

For example, plan to be the first to arrive and the last to leave. Try to arrive about 10-15 minutes before the official start of playgroup. Depending on how much preparation your playgroup needs, you may need to arrive even earlier than that. Most likely, preparing for playgroup at the park will require less time than preparing for crafts at a community center.

Carry snack and craft supplies in large containers so you will not have to make so many trips back and forth to the car. Perhaps ask staff personnel at the church or community center if there is a closet where you can store a container of frequently used supplies.

You may want to bring with you:
  1. Tablecloths, blankets or sheets to cover tables
  2. Signs or posters directing visitors to the correct room and tape with which to hang them
  3. Craft or game materials
  4. Extra electrical outlet covers
  5. Appropriate snacks and beverages
  6. Disposable plates, napkins, cups for adults and “sippy” cups for children
  7. Garbage bags, if not available at the facility
  8. Roll of paper towels for spills
  9. First aid kit (just in case)
  10. Wet wipes and a bottle of hand sanitizing gel so the children can wash their hands before snack time
  11. A clock or watch to keep up with the time
  12. Copies of guidelines and membership list, if necessary
Once you get to the location, follow these suggestions to ensure a pleasant playgroup experience from beginning to end.
  1. If you meet in a church, community center or library, announce your arrival to those in charge and get the key if you need to unlock the rooms you will use.
  2. Check and adjust the thermostat, if necessary, to make sure the rooms will be comfortable.
  3. Put up a few signs directing members and visitors to the correct location so they will know they are in the right place and so they won’t bother staff personnel with directions. Find out where the bathrooms are so you can be prepared to give directions or put up signs for those as well.
  4. You may need to baby-proof the area by ensuring that electrical outlets are covered and the cords of window blinds are out of reach. Put away any other materials that you think the children should not disturb.
  5. Set up the area you will use for crafts or games, if your group includes these activities. Move tables and chairs around as necessary; cover picnic tables with tablecloths, blankets or sheets for easy cleanup; organize the craft materials or set up the play area.
  6. Set up a separate snack area if your playgroup shares snack time. Bring a blanket or two for the children to picnic on. This will set the boundaries of the snack area and provide for easy cleanup afterwards. Otherwise, try to keep the snack area confined to an area away from rugs and carpet so you will be able to sweep up the crumbs or wipe up spills more easily.
  7. Be sure to close the doors after everyone arrives so any noise will not disrupt others.
  8. When playgroup ends, double check that the area is swept or vacuumed, tables cleaned, and chairs returned to their proper places. In other words, the room should look exactly the way it did before you arrived.
  9. Return the thermostat to its original setting.
  10. Gather all the materials you brought with you and return them to the closet or to your car.
  11. Collect the garbage bags and dispose of them properly.
  12. Lock the room and return the key to staff personnel. Be sure to thank them!
Make things as easy for yourself and your playgroup as possible, and delegate some of these responsibilities. The leader should not have to do everything. Besides, members will feel more involved in the group if they are asked to contribute or bring items. For example, it would be very easy to rotate the responsibility of snack and craft supplies among your members. Whatever duties are shared among your members, make sure they understand what is expected of them. Perhaps provide them with a copy of the above checklists, or devise your own, and include any rules or expectations of the facilities.

About the Author:

Carren W. Joye is the author of A Stay-at-Home Mom's Complete Guide to Playgroups. A homeschooling mom of four children, she has founded five successful playgroups and helped start countless other playgroups around the world via the Internet.

For more details on starting a playgroup and information on what to do to make it longlasting and successful, try A Stay-at-Home Mom's Complete Guide to Playgroups. You can order it from any online bookstore, such as iUniverse.com, the publisher. Read an excerpt.