Playtime
What is Playtime?
Playtime is an activity run by Petersham Baptist Church. Its aims are threefold:
- To provide opportunities for caregivers and their children to spend positive time together, and to build friendships with others
- To act as a bridge between Petersham Baptist Church and the local community.
- To provide developmentally appropriate activities for children up to school age.
When and where do we meet?
Playtime meets at Petersham Baptist Church in the hall each Wednesday during school terms at 10am till 11:45am.
What is the program like?
The program contains a variety of activities designed to encourage children to play constructively with each other and learn from each other. A typical day contains creative play, morning tea (bring something for your child to eat), craft, outdoor play, story and singing.
What is expected of caregivers who take part?
Unlike childcare, Playtime is designed for caregivers to spend time with their own children while meeting and interacting with other parents and children. As such, we ask caregivers to keep a few things in mind to help make Playtime successful for everyone:
- Caregivers are responsible for their own children while at Playtime.
- It is helpful for caregivers to discourage disruptive play by their children.
- All caregivers should contribute to the running of activities in some way, e.g. morning tea wash up.
- It helps the smooth running of Playtime if caregivers encourage all children to take part in the various activities as planned, e.g. story time.
- Things work best if caregivers also take an active interest in other children.
How does the daily program run?
Each day's program is structured in the following way:
- On arrival add names to the roster, hand in fruit for sharing and pay fees for the day (currently $2.50 or $20 per family for a term).
- Morning tea for the children - caregivers are asked to select fruit for their children and to seat them, to give thanks before the children eat it.
- Craft - craft is a time where caregivers often need to assist, especially when your children are using new skills (e.g. using scissors).
- Outdoor play - during this section of the program it is helpful for caregivers to ensure that children are playing safely.
- Story time and singing - it helps all children to enjoy this time if caregivers can encourage all children to listen to the story.
- Pack up - parents and children all take part in pack up and deliver toys & equipment to the front of the Hall.
How do you join Playtime?
If you would like to join simply contact Belinda Ritchie on (02) 9518 3599 or one of the pastors.