PROGRAM

A Cooperative Playgroup

Our parents really make all the difference in our program. Parent participation showers children with love and attention and helps to make each day run smoothly. Families are able to make lasting friendships and we even have fun adult social events to have those much needed nights off.

We're all volunteers here.

The Waltham Cooperative Playgroup does not employ any paid staff. Instead, the successful operation of our program depends entirely on the volunteer efforts of each family, who are asked to donate work hours each semester as a condition of membership. This helps keep our membership fees extremely affordable.

Ways to contribute more.

In addition to the hours each family gives, there are many leadership roles that need to be filled during the year. These positions do require a greater time commitment but most can be done at home on your own schedule. They are key roles that need to be filled in order for the group to run smoothly. You can also choose a role that best fits your skills and interests, so please consider taking on a position.

Not every member of the group will hold a leadership role.

Please check our handbook for detailed job descriptions on page 13.

The gift of time.

The program relies on its member parents to contribute a modest "gift of time" to help run and enhance the program. Parent involvement is paramount to the program and more importantly to creating a positive experience for your child.

There are many different jobs that are done in order to keep our program running smoothly.

Each day there are 2 - 4 assistants (1 - 2 who set up the room and 1 - 2 who clean up) and a circle time leader.
Each day has a coordinator to manage a schedule of these jobs, working with members' requests and needs.
Members typically do not have a job each week, but will perform each job a few times each semester, depending on enrollment and personal preferences members relay to the day coordinators.

Getting to know the program and the space.

Orientation is held prior to or within a few weeks of the start of each semester. Every member is required to attend. It's a chance to learn about or have a refresher of the program routines and the space where we hold the programing.

Orientation is an opportunity to

Meet all the members of the semester,
Learn more about what your role for the Waltham Cooperative Playgroup will be,
And answer any questions you may have.

General Membership Meetings (GMMs)

Since everyone's schedules are different, we hold 2 separate GMMs to accommodate more people. Every member is required to attend at least one GMM, though we encourage attendance at both if possible. Since 2020, we have also had the option of virtual attendance.

Dates are published at the beginning of each semester, including one weeknight and one Saturday morning, allowing members to plan ahead for attendance.

These meetings are important as major decisions, such as the distribution of program funds, are made at this time. This is also an opportunity to get to know parents from other playgroup days and discuss how things are going with families on your day.

A Typical Semester

There are two 16-week semesters during the school year: Fall Semester from September to January and Spring Semester from February to June. In the summer, we have added an outdoor playgroup at a member's home that does not follow the typical Fall/Spring routine.

Sharing food and culture

Each playgroup day has a brunch at least once a semester in lieu of the

discussion time. The brunch, usually a pot luck, is an opportunity to have fun together, eat delicious food, and discuss how the semester is going. It also

allows the children a chance to experience many different styles of

food from different cultures, encouraging more adventurous eating.

Playtime with a purpose.

Families meet from 9:15am–11:15am on Tuesday and/or Thursday. Each day is limited to 18–20 children.

Each day, up to 5 adults are assigned a co-op role for the day. All adults without a role assist with playgroup tasks and managing child interaction as needed. All parents are encouraged to correct any child's behavior as needed.

I to I follows a schedule that mixes structure with flexibility, providing educational opportunities while encouraging creativity:

9:00am- Set-up: Up to 2 assistants set up fine motor skill toys and the week's craft.
9:15am- One-on-One/Craft Time: Families play and craft together.
10:00am- Circle Time: Assigned parent leads circle time based on the week's theme.
10:15am- Snack: Assigned assistants for the day prepare snacks while children wash hands.

10:30am- Free Play/Discussion: Children play with gross motor skill toys while parents, ideally in a different room, discuss relevant parenting topics.

11:10am- Cleanup & Goodbye: Everyone helps put the toys away and then sing the goodbye song.

11:15am- Final Cleanup: Up to 2 assistants sweep, wash the dishes, take the trash and recycling out.

Exploring the community & beyond

Each spring we have a field trip to the fire or police station. This is not only a fun experience but also an opportunity for our children to see our civil servants in a non-threatening situation. If a crisis situation ever arises in your home, your child will have had a positive experience with our civil servants, which will hopefully lessen any fears.

We also organize field trips outside of our usual playgroup days. On these trips we get a chance to mingle with members from other days. Places we have visited include the Gore Place, Waltham Fields farm, Drumlin Farm, The Discovery Museum, and Apple picking at Honey Pot Hill.

From family fun to charitable events

Family Gatherings

Twice a year all the families gather together for a pot-luck. Once in November for "Friendsgiving" and once in June for the "End of the year party." Everyone enjoys good food and good conversation. It is a chance to meet other members from the other playgroup days and really ties the community together.

Clothing Swap

Once a year, we host a clothing swap/yard sale. Everyone brings in clothes and toys that have been out-grown and crowding our closets. Anything not swapped is donated. This event is also open to the public.

Community Outreach

Each semester the community outreach coordinator seeks out activities for us to volunteer at so that our community can give back to the greater community we live in. Examples of previous outreach activities include:

Food Pantry Donations: collecting canned food and pantry items for donation to The Bristol Lodge Pantry in Waltham.
The REACH Beyond Domestic Violence holiday gift program

Kathryn's Cuties for a Cure team Boston Brain Tumor walk with Kathryn's Cuties for a Cure
Birthday in a box program

Deep cleaning keeps us healthy.

The Cleaning Party is held at the end of each semester and every member is required to assist. At the party, we

Clean, sanitize, and organize the toys for the next semester,
Throw out old or broken toys, and
Decide on additional items that we may need.

This is also an opportunity to meet members from other playgroup days and have fun while cleaning. Many hands make light work.

If you cannot attend this evening meeting, you can often take things home with you from playgroup to clean and then return. The Cleaning Party Lead will have a sign out sheet for the toys in our toy closet.