Dear friend,

The summer break will soon be here – and you deserve it! Before you break up though, read the latest toddler group news, find out what 'MOPS' is all about, and look at some lovely craft ideas sent in.

And if you missed the Playtime conference, you’ll be thrilled to know that you can download one of the main seminars for free. It will give you loads of ideas, so get your whole team to listen to it before you have your next planning session.

Best wishes

Naomi Buckler, Playtime Manager
www.careforthefamily.org.uk/playtime

PS Do keep sending in your craft ideas, questions and comments. Email me at Playtime@cff.org.uk - it's always great to hear from you!

It was great to have some first-timers at this year’s Playtime conferences. The feedback we’ve received has been enormously positive … in fact, two group leaders were just about to give up, but felt they’d had the encouragement to carry on.

Bookstart launches pack for deaf babies and toddlers

Bookstart has launched Bookshine, a new pack for deaf and hard of hearing babies and toddlers, which is available to parents and carers of children up to the age of four – visit www.bookstart.org.uk

'Barnados Big Toddle'

There’s still time to organise your group to join ‘Barnados Big Toddle’. Register online to get a free event pack full of goodies to help you run your event indoors or outdoors. Or you can join one of the events happening in your area. Find out more at www.barnardos.org.uk/bigtoddle

And in case you missed it last time…

The free Sure Start magazine has now been replaced by ‘Early Years’, a new magazine for everyone working with children up to the age of five. It’s well worth getting your own copy – email subs@eymagazine.co.uk or call 0800 035 1464 (freephone).

MOPS stands for 'Mothers of Pre-Schoolers'. So what's it all about? Helen James from the MOPS group in Burwell reveals all…

"Burwell MOPS is part of MOPS International, which began in the United States some thirty years ago and has since spread worldwide. The aim of MOPS is to meet the needs of every mum whatever their circumstances, recognising that all mothers share the common desire to be the best mum possible. Our children's pre-school years can be some of the most rewarding but, at the same time, the most challenging for us as mothers...

This issue's 'Small talk' highlights ideas for the holidays. You can choose whether to print a black and white sheet (PDF) for photocopying, or a colour sheet (PDF) to put on your noticeboard.

Thank you to Sally Walker from 'First Steps' in Devon who sent us some lovely animal craft activities.

Sally says, "Our group is called 'First Steps' at St Peter, Paul & Thomas Church of Canterbury, in Bovey Tracey, Devon. We run it two mornings a week and have a variety of individual play activities followed by a snack, craft, singing and a whole group game."

Here's an idea for a special 'mums' week' sent in by Sarah Evans:

“I’ve recently completed Care for the Family’s 21st Century Parent course with my husband, and we found it so valuable, it was great.

“I run the new mums’ ministry in the church where I go, and thought we should do a ‘Celebrate being a Mum’ week. I’m going to ensure that EVERY mum who comes along is congratulated on the fantastic job they do as a mum...

We want to know your bright ideas for the start of term. What changes are you making this year? And how are you going to make new families feel welcome? Email us at Playtime@cff.org.uk

Look out for your replies in the next issue!

The information in this newsletter is supplied in good faith, but Care for the Family cannot accept responsibility for any advice or recommendations made by other organisations, resources or websites.