With the growing population in Ritchot, a local mom has started a new playgroup in Île-des-Chênes with the hope of connecting more rural parents and communities.
Erin Cummings-Henry recently moved to Grande Pointe with her husband and 14-month old-son. Soon after, she realized that there are limited resources for parents in the community to connect with one another. Thus she was prompted to start a playgroup.
“We have… a second baby on the way this spring and I would like to meet other parents and contribute to my new home community,” she says. “I thought a stay-and-play would be a great way to provide parents and their kids with a safe environment where we can play, socialize, share, and support each other.”
The playgroup, called Oaks n’ Acorns, will meet at the TransCanada Centre every Thursday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. and it launches on January 10. Catering to children up to age six and their guardians, the stay-and-play will offer a warm and welcoming environment with a small collection of toys and a large open space for kids to play in, according to Cummings-Henry. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
While the group is free, it will operate on pay-what-you-can donations to help cover the cost of refreshments and to purchase additional toys and resources for the group.
“The playgroup is working with the Healthy Child Coalition to develop a resource centre with information about local services and supports, healthy meals recipe cards, ideas for crafts and games to play at home with kids aged zero to six months, a reading nook, and more,” says Cummings-Henry. “I am a teacher, so I’m particularly excited to create literacy and learning resources for families, and I’m hoping to collaborate with parents so that we can shape this playgroup into a place that meets the needs of our community. We also encourage parents to bring along a toy or two to share as we work toward building our collection of toys and activities.”
In addition to offering community connections, Cummings-Henry also intends to plan guest speakers who can share their knowledge and expertise on child-rearing topics such as breastfeeding, nutrition, and self-care for parents. Currently, Cummings-Henry is the sole coordinator and volunteer, along with her family, and she hopes to recruit more volunteers.
The playgroup is operating with the support of the RM of Ritchot, but they would like to welcome families from the whole southeast region to join in the fun. Cummings-Henry has big plans for the playgroup’s future.
“I have applied for some grants to help fund various guest speakers and activities such as crafts for the older kids,” she explains. “I would also like to host monthly clothing and supply swaps where parents can access free maternity clothes, baby/kids clothes, toys, and other resources that are gently used.”
