This is a regular Friday afternoon, term time session for children aged bump to 5 and their parents, grandparents and carers.
Arriving at Tots, you are warmly welcomed and the children choose their favourite pictures. We then start by singing nursery rhymes with Heather playing her guitar. The children have a play with various toys set out or have a pram race (!) while the adults are offered refreshments. The children then have a little dance to some music and join in with the actions - the Wiggle, Wiggle, Freeze dance is a favourite!
Following this, the children then sit and listen to a bible story told in an interactive way, where they get to join in and sometimes dress up. After this, the children are given snacks; a selection of freshly prepared fruit and vegetables. To finish the pictures that the children choose at the start are held up, we thank God for the picture, the child and their family. As one of the mum's puts it: 'To see the children's faces light up at this moment is truly special.'
The group is mainly held outside, so there's lots of room to burn off some energy - dress appropriately for the weather. (When it rains, the church is used!)
The group runs from 2-3pm - but often older siblings being picked up from school pop in to say hello, have a snack and a play before everyone helps pack up!
We have a regular, dedicated group of volunteers - and they love it too!
As one mum puts it,' We love Tots group. I would say it is a really supportive, family feel group. Parents get tp enjoy a cup of tea, generally chat, share advice or even their problems. People will listen and play with your children whom they love and treat like family too.'