About to start Playcentre

Me too! Which centre are you starting? Have you had your visits yet?

I'm nervous about committing my only 2 days that I don't work, but DS loves it there so much and the people are really nice, so hopefully it will all work out!

I think different centres have different expectations of you. And as for cliques - maybe, but maybe not. If you find it so, it might be worth trying a different day if you can.

Don't worry, I'm sure you'll love it!

We've been going for 2 years, I love it and so do the kids, I've made some great friends there. You will feel pressure to do stuff, even at our laid back centre we do get asked, just do what you can at your own pace and don't be afraid to say no.

I went for almost 2 years, and the kids loved it. I met some lovely mums there .... it wasn't too cliquey but there were the "long timers" but thankfully there were quite a few new ones when I started too. Some were a bit bossy / pushy but you always get some people you don't get on with so well.

The pressure to do courses, meetings, fundraising, family evenings and lots of extra work was too much for me in the end, as I was working 3 days a week and just attending 1 session. I think it would be great if you weren't busy though, as it can take up alot of time. If you have an understanding partner and kids that don't mind being left home with dad in the evenings you'll be fine.

I love Playcentre. Im sure you will see a couple of people who are more into playcentre and in charge on the session. Ask them lots of questions they should talk you all through it. Maybe if you know all the ins and outs it wont be so bad :)

It differs from association to association on what is expected. Normally you are on a parent help roster which will mean different from centre to centre. I have attended 2 playcentres and it is my kids only form of preschool formal education (if you can call it that).

Parenthelp usually means setting another activity up, sometimes making tea or cofee for the other parents (this differ from centre to centre) and then taking the washing home (tea towels or towels that might have been used)

Normally at the end of term you will have centre clean up and everyone has to help with that. So the centre gets a good clean. Once or twice a year there is a working bee for the outside and normally you only attend one and it is for 3 hours or so (good way to sent your partner in).

Meetings is once a month and normally they ask you to attend once a term minimum. This is when all decisions are made and bills paid. Legally they have to have quorum to pay bills which means a third of all families have to be there.

As for education. You have to have a C3, C2 and a C1 and one or two first aid holders on each session to get funding. C1 is normally just a one night or day thing and do a few practical things. Real easy. Make playdough, set up paint etc. Things you will have to do anyway. So really not scary at all. Few questions that is literally one line answers and very simple. C2 is about 7 course nights but very simple and just take it one at a time and if you can wait for the ones that comes to your centre or to a centre near you. We have a few that has finished that off in a term but some take a year.

And C3 takes a bit more time. You have to have a roll on the comittee for 6 months at least. So take that slowly. But normally you have to finish C1 at a minimum as that teach you basic setting up and facts relevant to your centre.

And then their is commitee jobs that they really wont ask you to do for your first few months. And those things have to be done to run the centre but really some of it is so simple. Just keep on top of sending e-mails or things like that. It is max keeping me busy half an hour a week and that is a huge roll of education officer. Biggest is the one night a term that I do a C1 workshop and another one that we do a homework night for those that want (which works out as cheese and wine night and chatting mostly ;-) )