Meetings

MONDAYS – TODDLER GROUP

This group was commenced on 7 September 1992 and is held during the school term time: at the new times of 9:15 am – 11:00 am.  Anyone is welcome.

We are a friendly group with a range of members where the children are kept safe by the caring volunteer team. There is a happy atmosphere where you can relax and chat with other parents and with plenty of room on the carpeted floor for the children to be active. There are various toys including: two slides, sit and rides, push and non push musical toys, dolls with push chairs etc where the children learn about sharing, having fun and making friends. We also have table top amenities for puzzles, Duplo and Brio as well as books and colouring and sticking activities. There is also a story time.

At 10.45am we move the toys into the middle room and have a singing time before going home.

We welcome babies and toddlers from birth up to age 5 years old with their Mums, Dads, Grandparents or Carers from various backgrounds and any religions or none. Any new members are always welcome including those who wish to sample a session. A donation of £1:00 per child per session is requested which includes the tea, coffee, squash and biscuits for both adults and toddlers. The visitors’ experience is the primary thing. So when the numbers get beyond the optimum level we welcome new people for their first visit. At the end if they wish to continue to come then we put them on a waiting list.

Some comments from the parents, grandparents and carers:

• “It is nice here. Grandparents are welcome which is not always the case elsewhere. It is like a family. People look out for each other.”
• “If I have another child, I will be back.”
• “At a previous place we went to, we paid our money and sat and sat and sat and then left. But here you made us welcome, told us what was going on and there is singing.”
• A newcomer: “This is nice. There are plenty of toys which my daughter has enjoyed playing with.”
• A leaver’s card: “We just wanted to say a big thank you to you all for all the hard work you put into making the group such a success. You have helped our daughter develop her confidence and social skills. Keep up the good work and I hope if our daughter has a brother or sister in the near future, I will be able to bring them.”
• A leaver’s card: “A big thank you for our grandson’s three years at Ross Road Toddler Group. It has been a lovely experience and he has learned lots of songs and stories that we follow up at home. God bless you a lot as you bless so many families.”
• A leaver: “Thank you for all you have done for our family. We will really miss you. Have a wonderful Christmas and may your blessings continue into 2019 and beyond.”
• Another leaver: “Thank you for all your hard work and effort this year. We loved coming to your Toddler Group. We’ll miss our Monday mornings next year.”
• “Thank you for providing such a warm place for us to meet. Also for your crafts, stories and songs.”
• “We have been around a few Toddler Groups but this is the best. It is good. There are the toys and you can see everyone. The story times are nice and the craft very good and it is seasonal. What the children do we put up around the kitchen.”
• “With my three children we have been coming, on and off, for 8 to 9 years.”
• “My daughter wants to come to the Toddler Group.”
• A further note from another leaver: “Hi, I have been going to the Toddler group for a few years. First with my daughter and now with my son. I have had to change my working days so we will not be able to come on a Monday anymore. I wanted to thank the team for a lovely playgroup, and the craft, and their warm welcomes. We will miss our Mondays at the group! Take care.”
• A note from another leaver: “Our move to …… is happening quickly, so we won’t be coming back to playgroup in September. Just wanted to drop you a little note to say thank you for making us feel so welcome over the years – we will really miss coming on a Monday.”
• A note from a leaver: “Thank you so much for providing such a welcoming and lovely playgroup that we have really valued over the past 3 years! We have all enjoyed attending and will miss it when our girl heads to nursery school in September! Wish you all the best in the future and thanks again.”
• “This is good because people look out for each other.”
• “We are very happy that you are strong about safety.”
• “Thank you for all that you do for us week after week. Thank you also for your kind words of support and prayers during a very difficult time for our family.”
• “This is a nice place and its clean.”
• “Thank you. You are so kind.”
• “Your craft activities are the best among the groups we attend.”
• A leaver, “I have been coming here for five years and will miss being here.”
• Another, and grandmother, leaver, “I have come here for twelve years and will miss coming here.”

SPECIAL EVENTS – CHILDREN’S SPECIAL

The next “Children’s Special” Holiday Club is hoped for August 2021 and subject to possible government restrictions. @ 2.00 to 4.00pm which we hope that you will enjoy. Age range is 5 to about 12 years old. 

Its Free, Its Fun, Its For Everyone! We enjoy our time together. For the first hour the children are split into two age groups and all do: craft activities and various games, or written quizzes and colouring for those who prefer that to games. For the second hour there are: Bible songs and stories, competitions and quizzes. On the Friday there are no craft activities due to the prize giving at the end of the meeting, but along with the games there is the option of picture colourings, word searches etc instead. We take our Child Protection issues seriously.  The helpers always have a good time serving others and we are always happy to talk to people about any questions that they may have.

Parents/Carers are welcome on all occasions. Children from a variety of backgrounds are welcome. This was one of the highest daily averages that we have ever had and some came from Coulsdon, Morden, Sutton and Tooting. Some verbal comments in February 2020 were:

ADULTS
“Thank you” at various times.
“My son looks forward to coming here.”
“My girls say during the day, “Have we missed it?” and are enjoying it here.”
“It was very nice, well organised.”
“My daughter has enjoyed it.”
“As my daughter has reached 12 years old she will not be coming any more.” Our reply was, “Children have come who are older than 12 years old and so if she enjoys it, she is welcome to continue.”
“My son really enjoyed it.”
“Our daughter enjoyed it much and she is looking forward to coming next time.”
“I got good reports of your Holiday Club from a child that we help and went there.”

CHILDREN
“It was good.”
“I enjoyed it.”

YOUTH GROUP

The second and third Friday of every month (term time only): 7:00pm to 8:30pm at Ross Road Gospel Hall, Wallington

Dates 2021: May 14 & 21; June 11, 18; July 9

Admission Free. Games (including volleyball, hockey, table tennis and for those who prefer a few board games) plus Bible talks, questions, discussions. Minimum age 10 years. For further information ring: 07845 477972.