BABY AND TODDLER
Celebrating community connections
To mark the hard work and dedication of baby and toddler groups, early years development manager Alison Heseltine shares the Alliance’s Bradford-based community celebration event
The Early Years Alliance is funded by Bradford Public Health, Better Start Bradford and Bradford Children and Families Trust to provide a range of support to community based groups – such as baby and toddler groups and stay-and-play sessions – across the Bradford area.
This work has been supported by the Alliance’s Baby and Toddler Toolkit, which encourages and enables group leaders to reflect on current practice, maintain and improve quality, and plan for the future of their groups, all while providing a sense of belonging and community for families – both children and adults.
The toolkit provides information and guidance on a range of topics: from health and safety, safeguarding, finances, policies and inclusive practice to community connections and helping children to learn with their families beside them.
Each group using the toolkit had the opportunity to move through three levels of progress, while reflecting on and developing all aspects of running a successful, thriving group.
For each level they completed, the group received a certificate to display and prizes to use within their sessions.
The Early Years Alliance has produced the Early Adventures Baby and Toddler Toolkit to support you in all areas of running your group.
Additionally, through Alliance membership, baby and toddler groups can gain free access to online EduCare training modules and mini-guides, as well as reduced prices for training and publications.
To find out more about the Early Adventures Baby and Toddler Toolkit and the benefits of Alliance membership – including access to free EduCare training – follow this link: https://bit.ly/U5OctBTtoolkit or access information on the My EYA Portal.
As a part of this project, all group leaders and volunteers were invited to attend a special celebration lunch in September. This not only provided an opportunity to learn more about the support and guidance that the toolkit offers, but also a chance to recognise the work and achievements of these groups. Our guest speakers from the Early Years Alliance – Michael Freeston, director of quality improvement, and Richard Knight, early years development manager – shared their experience, knowledge and learning on the importance of these
community-based groups, which are an essential part of the early years jigsaw. They also reflected on how, through our work, all of us can promote the rights of the child, giving children the opportunities they deserve to be the best they can be.
These topics really resonated with group leaders, who contributed their thoughts and feelings on both key topics, and also gave meaningful insight into why they feel so passionate about the support that baby and toddler groups can give to families. When Michael asked group leaders, “Why do you do it?”, the
responses captured the value of these groups to families and their communities. Many highlighted the sense of fulfilment and enjoyment that the group leaders themselves felt, which sustains them through the difficult times.
“Families deserve a chance regardless of where they’re from, who they are and what their backgrounds are – they deserve a good start in life and, in my role, I can support parents and children; I can support parents to be the best they can be.”
Elise, Baby Sense and Early Birds
“When my children were very small, we moved away from home. Our toddler group was just such an important place, somewhere to meet and be part of a community, and as my children have now grown, me being a group leader is a way that I can give back.”
Christine, Christchurch Toddlers
“I know that for families just to have that smile, someone to talk to, it does really make a difference.”
Kayla, Lower Grange Toddlers
“I was so well supported by the team at the group I attended that I felt the need to stay on after he started school, and I’ve never left – I’ve been there 14 years now!”
Tammy, Patch Toddlers
“Not just giving people the support and services that they need, but also building lifelong friendships and relationships – and that’s really important.”
Teresa, BD4 Community Trust
“We have a number of families with children that they’re struggling with who need extra support, and the group is a place of unconditional acceptance. We walk that journey with the parents; they know that we are there for them, appreciating and valuing what they are doing.”
Carolyn, Stay and Play at Fountains Church
“The gifts for each award level of the toolkit have been great and much appreciated additions. The mat is just what we needed for under the messy sensory activities, and the rabbit puppet is a real hit everyone! I introduced him at singing time, and the children were delighted; they all came to hug him and shake his paw or stroke him!”
Racheal, Busy Bees Toddler Group
The Alliance early years team that delivers the project felt it was vital to acknowledge and celebrate the work that these amazing volunteers do each week – often with little recognition or understanding of the volume of work required. Their contribution to building communities and providing a safe, welcoming place cannot be underestimated – the local toddler group is often the first place that a new family attends.
The event showcased the wonderful kindness of group leaders in tirelessly supporting families, especially during these challenging times, and it was an inspiration to hear their stories. The Alliance would like to say thank you to you all.
How did the event benefit attendees?
“Provided an opportunity to meet likeminded people who have families and children at the forefront of all they do.”
“Gave us chances to listen to how other groups across the district are doing and know we’re not doing this alone.”
“Helped acknowledge our work and the impact we have on families in our local community.”
“Offered a chance to hear the difference our groups make and meet up with other group leaders.”
Under 5 magazine
The magazine of the Early Years Alliance