Support for parent and toddler group leaders

Let's Play Together boxes

We are asking for community groups to register their interest to receive a fully funded box of resources. The Let's Play Together boxes, as pictured below, are filled with items you can use in your stay and play sessions. The resources will help you to model some of the fun ways of playing with children and support their learning and development.

If you would be interested in a Let's Play Together box for your group, please email Dawn Humphreys on dawn.humphreys@norfolk.gov.uk.

Depending on the response, we are planning drop-in events around the county. You will be able to collect your box and get ideas on how to use the contents. There will also be a chance to pick up information around the latest training, funding and support available for community groups. You can also learn more about the support available to families in Norfolk and how you can help them to access this.

We will also use the opportunity to talk to you. We would really like to gather feedback about your group, the needs of the families in your community and how we can best support you.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please note, we do only have a limited number of boxes so they will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

50 things to do before you're Five in Norfolk - Resources available

If you are a community group or Early Years Provider in Norfolk, we have some resource packs available for your group/setting. The pack contains, an A2 poster, some fliers, an introduction, and guidance sheet and 50 small cards which can be attached to a lanyard displaying the 50 things to do.

Please promote the app to your families. Download the 50 things to do app from its official website.

If you would like a pack, please email 50things@norfolk.gov.uk.

Financial support

You can apply for a grant from the Early Childhood Community Fund to set up a new parent and toddler group. You can also apply for a grant if you want to expand an existing group. Groups can apply for up to £2,500 each financial year.

If you need financial help to keep your group open or update old equipment , you may be able to apply for a grant from the Early Childhood Community Fund.

Safer membership

The Safer Programme provides advice, information and training on all aspects around safeguarding children and child protection. You can sign up for free membership by completing the Safer Programme membership form (Word doc) [566KB] and sending it by email to cs-0-5communityoffer@norfolk.gov.uk

Only those applications completed via us will receive free membership.

Training for parent and toddler group leaders

We run online training sessions for group leaders. We cover important topics such as:

Getting Started
Running your group
Safeguarding
Keeping your Parent and Toddler group sustainable

View our training programme to find out more.

Joining the Norfolk Community Directory

Although we know of around 600 Parent and Toddler groups in Norfolk, less than 330 are currently showing on the Norfolk Community Directory. If you have thought about joining the Directory but not yet joined, we can help with this, by sending you a partially completed form for you to check and sign electronically. The same login will also enable you to book, edit and cancel your training via the Norfolk Provider Portal. Please let us know if you would like to do this, by emailing us at cs-0-5communityoffer@norfolk.gov.uk and we will be in touch.

Join our Facebook group

Join our private Facebook group for leaders of parent and toddler groups in Norfolk. The group is for both prospective and existing leaders of Parent and Toddler groups. It is a place where you can share ideas, ask for advice, and generally keep in touch with each other. When joining, you'll need to answer the joining questions so we can approve your request.

Newsletter for parent and toddler group leaders

Subscribe to our parent and toddler group leaders newsletter. Visit Early Learning and Childcare newsletters and select 'Early Years Parent and Toddler' to subscribe.