Playcentre
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=39810
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Topic: Playcentre
Posted By: MamaT
Subject: Playcentre
Date Posted: 05 July 2011 at 9:30pm
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I know there have been a few threads about this, but they're all a little old so thought I'd start a new one.
I'm looking at joining Playcentre with DS who is 18months, he is very shy and needs me with him every step of the way, we got to mainly music and a library story time session each week and he basically spends that time breastfeeding until the toys come out, so I wonder if Playcentre will be overwhelming for him at this stage?? What age did your children get a lot out of the sessions? (particularly those with shy kids) -------------  
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Replies:
Posted By: Bel
Date Posted: 05 July 2011 at 10:05pm
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If you get a good Playcentre I would have thought it would be an ideal situation for him. If he doesn't want to play no one will force him, but it is a good way for him to play with you still with him. Neither of my kids are shy, but I have seen plenty who are - they can thrive at Playcentre, because mum is there so they know they are safe.
Go for it, you get 3 free visits to check it out and I would think you would have a good feel for the centre and the other parents by then. HTH ------------- Mum to two beautiful kids 
Luke (09.11.2007) Amy (01.04.2009) |
Posted By: JadeC
Date Posted: 05 July 2011 at 10:17pm
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Just be aware some centres have long waiting lists, so put your name down now!
I put DS's name down at 6 months, and was told there is a 9-12month waiting list for our centre. Fine with us, since he won't be walking until then anyway. We're doing the SPACE program at Playcentre now (for babies), and it seems to be very much a place where individual needs are respected, so hopefully it will be a supportive place for him. ------------- http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: _SMS_
Date Posted: 06 July 2011 at 8:29am
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Although my DD isnt shy she is clingy.
We started playcentre around 16 months & DD loved it. She also loved having older kids playing with her too. She would copy them etc. It wasnt until around 2 years that she started going off to play on her own. Before that id always have to be with her, or she would just follow me around etc. Now at 2.5 years she just runs around doing what she wants. She still has the odd clingy day but knows im always just there anyway. Thats what i love about PC. Also now after being at our centre so long she knows all the mums and feels comfortable with most of them too. We do go twice a week now. You will get 3 sessions before having to commit to PC. So i recommend going for those and see how you like it. Ring them first to find suitable days. So PC do sessions for older children only etc... -------------  
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Posted By: 09_mrs
Date Posted: 06 July 2011 at 10:39am
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I've been going to PC with my DS since he was 3 or 4 months old. He is just getting to the stage now (11 months) where he wonders off to check out what the other kids are doing and he is gaining more independence.
I would say that your DS will get used to it pretty quickly, you just need to give him the chance. For the first wee while my DS just breastfed, sat on my lap and watched what the other kids were doing and we read stories etc. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: chickadeedoo
Date Posted: 06 July 2011 at 12:40pm
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I went to playcentre and I didn't like it.. could have been the people on the day I went but felt that it was more suited to more alternative type people..(again that could have been the people who were there on the day). There is no harm in going and see if he likes it or not as everyone says you do get 3 free visits. ------------- 
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Posted By: MamaT
Date Posted: 06 July 2011 at 1:57pm
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Thanks for the replies ladies. I will hopefully pop along tomorrow for a look, he does love watching older children play and I think once he's feeling comfortable it will be really good for him.
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Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 06 July 2011 at 4:59pm
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I absolutely love Playcentre. McKayla started at about 20 months and Andrew at 2 days old. It is child led in the way your child gets to choose the activities.
In the beginning your child might be clingy with you but soon they will feel comfortable and willing to play next to the other kids and moms. And before you know it he will be off and right into it with the other kids and moms. It does get quite involved as it is a co op, which means parents run the centre and you will have to help out with clean ups and meetings etc. But really I wont give it up for anything in the world. McKayla got so so much out of it and Andrew is loving every second of it as well. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: choco69
Date Posted: 06 July 2011 at 8:36pm
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an alternative is maybe a community creche which is sessional - then he only needs to go a couple of sessions a week, they are unusally not too expensive, and until he settles you can go too ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 06 July 2011 at 8:41pm
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My kids have loved PC - DS was just over 2 and DD was 2 months when we started. DS was not incredibly independant for the first term or two (despite being a daycare kid!) so poor DD got left to her own devices quite a bit at first (in capsule, on the floor with the bubbas, asleep in the cots) but she has basically grown up there so its like a second home to her. they are both off doing their own thing 90% of the time now (even though DS had 6 months off with it clashing with kindy, he went back like he'd not had a week off). He loved that I stayed when we started, cos he was used to daycare.
I found the downside was they tend to struggle to hold out til the end if they're used to napping by lunchtime (or like DD, dropped her morning nap at 9.5months on PC day!) so its pretty exhausting for littles ones under about 2.5yrs. DS used to sleep for at least 3hrs when we got home! And DD slept in the swing / highchair quite a few times while we were cleaning! And personally all the "extra" time required for meetings / courses / fundraising / cleanups / association things - and that was with me not doing a "job" --- and the pressure to do a "job", has been too much so we are leaving now (I work 3days a week so don't have heaps of free time). But if you have heaps of time to commit to it, its great! ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: MamaT
Date Posted: 06 July 2011 at 8:45pm
Thanks for the idea, but leaving DS anywhere isn't an option for me, whether he was shy or not. Luckily I do have a lot of spare time, so the workload doesn't worry me, actually I think it will be good for me -------------
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choco69 wrote:Posted By: pudgy
Date Posted: 06 July 2011 at 10:23pm
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Sorry to threadjack but for those of you who already use playcentre, how much time outside of the sessns do you spend on meetings etc ? ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: _SMS_
Date Posted: 07 July 2011 at 7:55am
I try attend one meeting a term Pudgy which can be 2 hours long. They are normally at night with cake and snacks and we all have a chat. Really not all that bad  -------------
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Posted By: 09_mrs
Date Posted: 07 July 2011 at 8:25am
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Our meetings take an hour or two, sometimes we just do them on session though, and I think they are once a month, and quite informal. It seems to be the same people that turn up to these each time, not everyone, which is the same for most things I guess. I don't think there is a big time commitment unless you start completing the playcentre education courses. The time invested in those is well worth it though for what you gain out of it as a parent. We don't do fundraising, we have a cleaner so we only put things away rather then having to clean the PC each time.
I think that what you put into PC is what you get out, and it is so worth it for your kids. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 07 July 2011 at 12:28pm
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Each centre seems to be different, I know over on the shore there are centres where you have to have a position, therefore you would be doing alot of hours outside (and I think some central ones too) and they also require you to do a set number of sessions. Ours is more casual (west) so we can just do one session a week and not everyone has a position.
Our meetings are from 7/7.30 til anywhere as late as 10.30 or so once a month. Term clean up is a sat morning at the end of each term (some people do an evening though). there is a big push to do courses at my centre -- so this will mean a few evenings a term out (7-9.30ish) plus a few hours at home (or on session if you can get away from your kids). We have the odd maintence working bee (a whole sat) and the odd extra meeting (measles outbreak recently, playgournd upgrade etc) or tree planting morning (sat) plus the xmas party and the odd fish n chip night etc. To my hubby it seems to take alot of time! If you had a position = add an extra few hours a week, at least. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: Richtea
Date Posted: 09 July 2011 at 11:59am
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Nikki- which PC is it that let's you do. One day? All the ones I have contacted in west Auckland, say 2. Thanks ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: HuMum
Date Posted: 09 July 2011 at 12:16pm
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DS has been at playcenter since he was 1. Goes to 1 general session and 1 starter session(kids under 2.5yrs)
Hes 2 now and loves it! Personally I preferred the starter session as everyone was new to playcenter so we fitted in. General session had a lot of old hands so I felt a bit left out. Also with starter session you don't really have to do too many jobs as you are just learning. DS was shy to start with now he's really confident, doesn't even know I'm there or not!! ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 09 July 2011 at 2:28pm
I thought about PC for about a minute then decided Clodagh was (and still is just IMO) too young...and that with another baby I simply couldn't find time to do my bit there in return. As someone pointed out, you get out what you put in and I'd only do it if I could put in 100% iykwim? 
Also (and prepares to duck), I think generally speaking, kids learn better at home first and foremost until they're a bit older. That is a MASS generalisation and obviously not trying to piss off anyone here who goes to PC and enjoys it  I'm already a little concerned that DD might be too young when she starts Montessori at the age of 3 so perhaps I'm just a little old fashioned lol-------------   http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 09 July 2011 at 2:51pm
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We go to SPACE at Playcentre once a week with DD and she loves it, been going since she was 4 months old and we both enjoy it.
I'm looking at going more regularly when she is 1, the facilitators in West Auckland are lovely Catherine enjoys the attention and I like having other first time Mums to talk to. I like that it's parent lead if we have another baby they can come along as well where as at DC under 2s and over 2s get separated. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 09 July 2011 at 3:06pm
Lol - maybe its being in West Auckland I haven't found this at all, I'm the only one in my SPACE group bf and attempting blw. I'm not alternative at all. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 09 July 2011 at 3:09pm
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Richtea - we have been going to West Harbour (this is our last term). They are only open 2 days a week at the mo, so half the people on each session can only make one sesison due to the older kids going to kindy or other activities. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 09 July 2011 at 3:38pm
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Nikki - which two days is West Harbour running? I was going to check them out for taking DD as its the closest centre to us. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: millymollymandy
Date Posted: 09 July 2011 at 5:30pm
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I took DD to PC at 6 months I was new in town and didn't know anyone. It was a lifesaver. I would have go stir crazy if I'd had to stay at home. Now at 2 DD is relaxed there, even tho she can be a bit clingy.
I think it has been really good for her, as she has done things there that i can't do at home, because of lack of space and equipment. If possible I'll take the new baby from birth, but we may all go 2 rather than 3 days a week. |
Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 09 July 2011 at 8:31pm
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Monday and Wednesday Caliandjack. They used to do friday too, but we don't have enough qualified people to have another session open at the mo - could re-open in the future though. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 09 July 2011 at 9:00pm
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I'm currently going to SPACE in Glendene as that was the only one going when I tried to find one for DD.
I might look at coming along for a look next term Monday and Wednesday are good days for us. How young can babies/children start at playcentre? ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 09 July 2011 at 10:00pm
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They can start as newborns. Most of the little ones have older siblings going too though. The youngest I've seen is only a few days old. Morgan was 2 months. I think they get more out of it if they're walking around though. If they're still napping half the morning so spend most of the session in the sleep room it may be a little pointless.
Morgan dropped her morning nap on a weds at 9.5 months tho! Jake would never have coped without it -- he struggled to hold out til after 12.30 for his nap when he started at just over 2! Most first children seem to start somewhere between 1-2.5yrs I guess. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 09 July 2011 at 10:15pm
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Yeah I was thinking of starting her next year once she's 'graduated' from SPACE. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Kate08
Date Posted: 10 July 2011 at 9:17am
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I started Playcentre with a 3.5 year old and a 3 month old and I think it's great. There are three little ones between 12 months and 2 years, and they have a great time. One of the ideas behind playcentre is that the children learn to play with children of all ages, so 18 months would be a good age to start.
It's actually a great way to educate, 'at home'....you are still the educator, but you're just in a different location with lots of really great resources and lots of mums who have great ideas to extend your child's play/learning. A lot of these ideas I've carried on at home and my eldest and I get a great deal out of our sessions. We have such fun there! And the little one is quite happy to be carried around in the front pack watching the action. Some people don't like playcentre though, and I guess it depends on the group of people who go and so on. Give it a go with the 3 introductory visits and see if it's for you.
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Posted By: pudgy
Date Posted: 10 July 2011 at 3:37pm
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Thanks ladies, I think we'll give it a go :-)
------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: gmunster
Date Posted: 11 July 2011 at 7:33am
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We did SPACE with DD until 1 then went straight to playcentre. Emmecat is right that you get out of it what you put in. DD absoulutely loves it - she can eb shy too but it took maybe a few weeks and now she is off as soon as we get there. DS has gone too as soon as he was out of hospital at 4 weeks old. Social skills are probably the best thing DD is learning plus all the extremely messy play that I don't ahve to get out at home!!! Even DS loves the people there now Worth a shot - see how it goes. -------------  
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Posted By: shadowfeet
Date Posted: 12 July 2011 at 4:22pm
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I started taking my DD at 15 months, she loves it. She's a capable independent little madam though. She's the youngest regular, we go 2 mornings a week. She struggled at the start as she liked to start her nap at 10.30/11ish. Now she'll happily play the whole session and I try to get her home and into bed by 12.30 (session finishes 12/12.15). I attend as many meetings as I can, and do all the education I can. I've taken on a position as well which is great! ------------- 
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