“Baby and toddler groups aren’t for me”

Making everyone feel welcome and safe is a key element of any baby and toddler group, so what can be done to overcome these feelings?

Assign a dedicated team member to greet families as they arrive. First-time visitors may be quite anxious and having a friendly face to greet them can be a source of comfort.

Along with showing them practical things like where the toilets are, introduce them to another parent or carer with a child at a similar stage of development and make sure both the adults and children learn each other’s names right away. This simple introduction breaks the ice and saves newcomers from the awkwardness of wondering when or how to ask for names later.

Since new parents may hesitate to ask questions, look for low-pressure ways to check in with them. An approachable tone and kind language can make all the difference in calming worries and anxiety.

Let new families know they can join in as much or as little as they like; adults and children often prefer just to watch to begin with. As a group leader, you should be understanding of this, offering gentle encouragement when and where appropriate.

When a new family arrives, take a moment to consider what your environment communicates to them. Do your families see themselves reflected in your space?

Your resources should be representative of your local community, authentic to your families’ cultural backgrounds and lived experiences, and meet the developmental needs of every child. Books, dolls, jigsaws, imaginative play resources, the snacks you offer and the songs you sing should all say: “You belong here and are welcome.”

Ensure you are meeting the needs of everyone attending, including dads, grandparents, older and younger mums. Consider how they feel when they first arrive and ask yourself: “Do they see a space that includes them?”.

Aim to design a balanced environment that offers distinct zones. Create lively areas where families can come together to chat, as well as quiet zones where a parent, carer or child can find calm. While some families want noise and excitement, others may find this chaotic and overwhelming.

Finally, establish clear group routines that will provide predictable rhythm, helping every family feel comfortable and prepared.

For a group leader, balancing diverse ideas and parenting approaches can be a challenge, with parents often worrying about getting things wrong or being judged by others.

To minimise ambiguity, share your group’s guidelines and expectations early on. If tensions do arise, defuse them with a quiet supportive approach that encourages families to respect differences.

Managing the wider social dynamics is equally important. Cliques naturally form as families find friends, but this can inadvertently exclude newcomers. The friendships built at baby and toddler groups are vital, so the goal is not to discourage these bonds, but to ensure that everyone has a chance to be a part of them.

As a leader, you can gently widen these circles by introducing group activities that invite newcomers into the conversation and give everyone the opportunity to feel included.

Informal chats with families can provide insight and highlight areas of improvement that you may not have considered. For example, by engaging in dialogue with the family of a child with SEND, you can work together to understand and accommodate their specific needs.

Receiving feedback doesn’t mean you have to change everything, but it is a useful way to bridge any gaps and ensure families feel heard. Sometimes just a small change can make a big difference in showing families that they have a part to play in the success of the group.

Walking into a baby and toddler group for the first time can be daunting experience. When a parent or carer feels out of place or worried about judgement, the room can easily feel exclusive. By considering people’s emotions, building relationships and removing invisible barriers, you can turn an intimidating environment into a supportive community where parents can connect with ease.