Wednesdays, 10 am to 11.30 am

Contact: Christian Field (028 9064 1447)

WHAT ARE OUR AIMS?
At Willowfield we aim to benefit babies, pre-school children and their
carers by:-
* providing a safe environment
* offering appropriate play facilities
* enhancing their development and education
* facilitating users' needs
* encouraging knowledge skills and abilities in all areas of learning set out in the curriculum guidance for pre-school education
* providing a role model

JUNIOR SUMMER PLAY SCHEME
Our group is also a member of NIPPA, the early years organisation, and in addition to Mums & Tots, traditionally provides a summer scheme for babies, children up to 7 years of age and their carers.

MEMBERS
Although we're called Mums & Tots, over the years we have welcomed a wide range of carers in our group which includes mums, dads, grandparents and childminders. We promote equality of opportunity regardless of religion, culture, race, sex or means, and as an outreach of Willowfield Parish Church (which is on the corner of Woodstock Road and My Lady's Road) our role is to be in the community for the community, drawing closer to God and reaching out to the people.

WHERE AND WHEN IS MUMS & TOTS ON?
Mums & Tots is held weekly during term time in Willowfield Parish Church Hall, 296 Woodstock Road, Belfast, (opposite Willowfield police station). The side entrance is down the right hand side of the church hall. Our sessions, which run from 10.00am to 11.30am, include a small charge of £1 per adult to cover the cost of snacks and art & craft materials, and are timed as follows:-

WHAT DO WE DO?
10.00am to 10.30 free play
10.30am healthy snack for children, followed by free play
10.45am tea/coffee for carers
11.15am tidy up time and songs/rhymes for the children
11.30am close of session

Over the past year we have been delighted to be able to extend and improve existing facilities for the children by providing quality basic equipment and toys which are suitable for the various ages and stages of development and replace and broaden the range of existing items, which had reached the end of their lifespan.

This has enabled us to give children more choice scope for development and education and encourage knowledge skills and abilities in all 7 areas of the early years curriculum and provide a most positive role model.

Children are actively engaged, willing to try new things, and, most importantly, are enjoying themselves.

Whilst carers are responsible for the care and supervison of their children throughout the session, we have a faithful team of volunteer helpers who help prepare and serve tea coffee and the children's snacks, and with art & craft activities and tidying up and clearing away toys and equipment as well as getting alongside our members for a friendly chat.

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."
Isaiah, chapter 40; verse 11 'The Bible'.