Location

We are located on the St.Andrew's Church grounds, at the rear of the main buildings.

The address is 24 Gisborne Road, Bacchus Marsh VIC 3340.


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Venue Facilities

St Andrews Playgroup is run by a volunteer committee out of St Andrews Uniting Church on cnr Gisborne and Lerderderg Rd, Bacchus Marsh. This custom-fitted playgroup venue offers:

· A safe, covered outdoor play area with sandpit, climbing structure, slippery dip, tricycles, baby bikes, balls, outdoor chalkboard and plenty of outside toys.

· We also have lots of indoor toys, climbing gym, toy kitchen, dress-ups, blocks, painting easles, library and musical instruments .

· A fully-stocked craft area

· A child-sized bathroom for the kids and a separate bathroom for adults

· Change tables, bouncer, high-chairs and playpen.

· Comfortable chairs for breastfeeding.

· Heating and cooling of the hall.

· A secure kitchen area with microwave, fridge, oven, stove and tea and coffee making facilities

About Us

St Andrews Playgroup was established in the early 1990’s by 2 mums who saw a need for a playgroup to be set up in our growing family community.



Currently we have playgroups operating on Mondays through to Fridays between 9am to 4pm. There are 3 groups running per day with a 2 hour slot per session. However, groups wishing to start a new playgroup or weekend playgroup are most welcome to apply for membership. Also, we welcome individuals who wish to join an existing playgroup. For more information about playgroup vacancies please contact us.



St Andrews Playgroup is run by a committee of volunteer parents elected each year. Nominations for committee member positions take place in the third term. Sometimes we may require assistance from our members from time to time for fundraising or organised activies, like our Christmas Party.Membership of the association consists of parents, guardians or carers who have paid their membership fee.



St Andrews Playgroup charges its members fees to help cover the cost of running the St Andrews Uniting Church Hall. (electricity, water and maintenance)

Visitor Counter

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What can I expect at Playgroup?

Playgroup is an informal session where mums, dads, grand parents, caregivers, children and babies meet together in a relaxed environment.

Playgroups are set up and run by parents and caregivers, with children choosing from a range of activities set up to meet their varying needs. Activities at playgroup are either free or low cost, and may include:

• Music and singing
• Imaginative play
• Outdoor and free play
• Art and craft activities
• Outings

In a playgroup, parents & caregivers stay to interact with the other adults & to play with the children.

No child is too young for playgroup. All children from 0-5 years, including babies, love new experiences and benefit from developing sensory, social and communication skills through activities at playgroup.

Children like playgroup because they can:

• Participate in new experiences
• Develop and increase their social skills
• Learn sharing, co-operation and simple routines
• Interact with other adults and children in a safe environment
• Enjoy learning more about their world
• Adults also benefit from playgroup - a time to talk, make friends and share experiences, while children learn through their play experiences.

Adults like playgroup because they can:

• Meet other local families and develop new friendships
• Relax and talk in a friendly environment
• Share experiences and ideas
• Play with children and nurture a spirit of co-operation
• Take up opportunities for personal development

Playgroup Fees

The fees are:
· $20 per family per annum for church hall hire costs.
· $2 per week for costs of craft and kitchen items.
· $25 Playgroup Victoria Insurance per annum

Weekly Cleaning Timetable

Weekly Cleaning Timetable – effective 1 August 2009

Monday

• 9.00am – 11.00am Bright Sparks (Empty Vacuum Cleaner)
• 11.15am - 1.15pm Maxi Kids (Mop Kitchen)
• 1.15pm - 3.15pm

Tuesday

• 9.30am - 11.30am Munchkins (Ensure softfall around playground is level)
• 11.45am - 1.45pm Little Marshians (Place sand back into sand pit)
• 2.00pm - 4.00pm Marshmallows 2007 (Sweep paths)

Wednesday

• 9.00am - 10.45am Busy Bees (Wash tea towels)
• 11.00am - 12.30pm Little Gems (Mop kitchen)
• 12.45pm - 2.15pm Cheeky Cherubs ( Ensure fridge is free of expired products)
• 2.30pm - 4.30pm Multiple Marshians (Put bin out to kerb)

Thursday

• 9.15am - 11.15am Marsh Mini's (Bring bins in)
• 11.30am - 1.30pm Puddleducks (Sweep paths)
• 2.00pm - 4.00pm Kids Club (Ensure high chairs are clean)

Friday

• 8.30am - 10.30am BM Natural Parenting (Ensure softfall around playground is level )
• 10.45am - 12.30pm New Tots on the Block (Mop kitchen)
• 12.45pm - 2.15pm Yummy Mummies (Clean change tables - hall and toilet)
• 2.30pm - 4.30pm Terror Tots (Place sand back into sand pit)
  
  

Group Leader and Member Responsibilities

St Andrews Uniting Church Playgroup Responsibilities


GROUP LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend scheduled monthly Playgroup meetings
• To take responsibility for the hall key that has been issued to you
• Collect and make payment to the Treasurer of Playgroup weekly fees
  - Payment details should be submitted at the time of payment – name of group and amount paying
  - Payment should be submitted at the commencement of each meeting to the Treasurer or in her absence, a committee member
• Collect and make payment to the Treasurer of annual church fees
• Nominate Deputy leader from group to act in Leader’s absence
• Provide contact details to committee of both Leaders
• If absence at meeting is unavoidable:
  - Provide apology to Coordinator – prior to 5pm on meeting day
  - Contact Treasurer to pay monies
• Provide back to your Playgroup, information that may concern them that arises from the monthly meetings
• Advise committee (Administrator) of member details and keep up to date with any membership changes, ie, departing/new members or new baby details
• Report to committee (Administrator) any toy/equipment breakages
• Report to committee (Administrator) any unsafe facilities/toys/equipment etc…
• Report to Committee via Shopping List on noticeboard of any morning tea/art & craft supplies that need replenishing
• Ensure that hall, equipment and outdoor facilities are kept clean and tidy after playgroup use
• Report to committee - any instances where hall is not clean on arrival
• Coordinate fundraising activities within their group on behalf of the Fundraising Coordinator
  

MEMBERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure that hall, equipment and outdoor facilities are kept clean and put away in the allocated area after playgroup use
• Report to Playgroup Leader any toy/equipment breakages/other maintenance – these can also be written on the maintenance sheet on the playgroup noticeboard
• Report to Playgroup Leader any unsafe facilities/toys/equipment etc…
• Maintain (clean/tidy) toy/hall/outdoor area allocated to your group as the need arises
• Make payment to Playgroup Leader of weekly playgroup fees
• Make payment to Playgroup Leader of church fees when requested
• Make payment to Playgroup Leader, or other person nominated within your group, of Playgroup Victoria fees
• Ensure that hall and toilet facilities are locked after leaving
• Ensure that any craft activities are taken home upon playgroup session finishing
• If any supplies are required, list these on the supplies list on the playgroup noticeboard – craft, cleaning or other supplies
• Support Fundraising events
  

Photo's

Welcome and General Information for Playgroup's

Welcome to the St Andrews Uniting Church Playgroup

This pack has been put together to assist you with establishing your playgroup within the St Andrews Playgroup facility and to ensure you get the most of your time with us.

All members should read the enclosed information thoroughly and then this pack can be stored in your drawer in the kitchen for future reference.

In order for a group to be a member of the St Andrews Uniting Church Playgroup (STAUCP) the following apply:

• Each group must have:
  - a group name e.g Bacchus Marsh Tots
  - a group leader and deputy
  - a Playgroup Victoria Representative


• The group must be registered with Playgroup Victoria. Each family will be required to register annually. A concession is available for those who meet the criteria. Registration and membership ensures that your group is covered in the event of an accident. All members of the group need to be registered in order for insurance to be valid. A Playgroup Victoria manual and DVD is available which describes in detail the role of the organization.


• Each group must nominate a Playgroup Victoria representative to be responsible for ensuring all registrations are paid and copies of Current Session Status Sheet and receipt of registration are given to Committee annually. Please organise this ASAP.

Facility

This facility is owned by the St Andrews Uniting Church. We are one of several users of the facility. Please respect other users , particularly during funerals, meetings etc. Please ensure children do not run or ride bikes near the toilet area and that children are always supervised when going to the toilet.

Keys

Each group is given a hall key for their use. Please do not record the name of the hall on the key or your key ring, for security reasons. Lost keys are replaced at a cost.

Meetings

Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month (except January) in the playgroup hall at 7.30pm. A representative of each group (usually Group Leader) is required to attend. The meetings usually last 1 hour.

If you would like to raise an item, please contact the Co ordinator a week before the meeting to ensure it is allocated time on the Agenda.

The purpose of the meetings is to:
- meet other playgroup members
- to be apart of a positive network that supports playgroups of St Andrews
- pay weekly fees/church fees to Treasurer
- be aware of upcoming events organised by the Committee
- express any ideas
- voice any concerns
- ask any questions
- keep up to date

Fees

Weekly playgroup fees and Church fees are required to the paid to the Treasurer at each meeting. The envelope should be labeled with the group name, amount contained and dates the group met. For example,

ABC Group $132.00 for 1/12/08 – 31/1/09

Playgroup Victoria fees are required to be paid direct to PGV. For more details contact http://www.playgroup.org.au/ or 1800 171 882.

First Aid

A first aid kit is provided in the kitchen, above the coloured drawers.

Incidents requiring first aid are required to be entered in the incident book.

Craft cupboard

You are free to use whatever you like in the craft cupboards. Go crazy!

There are craft help sheets in the black filofax in the top of the red cupboard, if you are stuck for ideas.

Please keep the craft cupboards clean and tidy.

Kitchen

You are welcome to use tea, coffee, etc provided in the cupboards. Long Life milk is kept in the fridge and when opened must have the date of opening written on it. If you are storing foodstuffs in the fridge, please clearly mark your group name on the item or it will be thrown out or get eaten!

Opened foodstuffs are not permitted to be kept anywhere but the fridge.

Cleaning products are in the cupboard under the sink and a broom, mop and dustpan are located behind the door.

Sunscreen, wipes and tissues are available for use and are located on or under the microwave.

Please note the ‘rules’ that apply to using the sponges ie what colour cleans what, to avoid cross contamination

Tea towels are removed weekly and cleaned.

Please ensure all child safety locks are replaced after use.

Shopping/Maintenance/Wish lists

On the desk in a blue folder you will find 3 list sheets:-

– shopping list (please write any items that you notice are low or need replenishing)
– maintenance list (for any items broken or needing repair)
– wish list (for any new items you would like purchased).

Cleaning

At the end of your session please allow 15 mins to clean up (dependant on activities and snacks). Every week, you must:-

• Pack away all toys into their correct toy boxes
• Vacuum
• Wipe tables
• Pack away all chairs
• Mop
• Wash and put away all dishes used
• Remove rubbish
• Pack up all outside toys and lock shed
• Turn off all lights
• Turn off fan / cooler / heater
• Lock all doors incl toilets
  

Additionally, each group is allocated an additional cleaning task. Please see the notice board for more information.

Rubbish

All rubbish must be removed to the outside wheelie bin at the end of your session. Garbage bags are located in the kitchen drawers.

Nappies must not be left in the toilet bin. They must be well wrapped and removed to the outside bin also.

Council does not provide a recycling service to the Church so there is no recycling bin.

Outside play

Children must be supervised when playing outside, at all times.

The key for the shed (which houses the bikes and sand pit toys) is on a hook near the back door. There is also a key for the outside emergency gate, should you ever need to use it.

Food

Most groups have snack time during their session. We request that all food is consumed at the tables only and thoroughly cleaned up after eating. This stops vermin and keeps the toys & toy boxes clean and sanitary.

Please ensure that nuts or nut products are not bought to playgroup in accordance with our Nut Policy and be aware of other allergies that children in your group may have.

Drying racks

Drying racks at provided at the end of the hall to dry paintings and artwork. Please ensure all artwork is clearly marked with each childs name and group. You should remove all artwork at the end of your session, or if still wet when you leave, they will be placed in your drawer for collection.

Storage Drawer

Your group will be provided with a drawer in the coloured drawers in the kitchen. Feel free to store paperwork, additional tea/coffee (ie decaf), in these drawers. For security reasons, please do not leave personal information (ie phone numbers of the group) or money in the drawers.

Sign in book

All users of the hall are required to sign in & out for each session. The sign in book is located on the desk under the noticeboard.

Whiteboard

The whiteboard is used to communicate weekly news.