Sponsored by
Library gives youngsters plenty to play with
Toy Library ps1204-21 Amy Marson with Mums and Children at the Toy Library
DRIFFIELD Children Centre are encouraging parents, grandparents and carers to make use of the ‘Toy Library’ scheme.
Toy Library sessions are run on a monthly basis at the Children Centre which is situated on Beckside and at mother and toddler groups across Driffield, with outreach groups held in the surrounding villages.
Toy Libraries enable parents to borrow toys for up to four weeks with no late fees for as little as 30p for smaller toys and 50p for larger toys with a £1 joining fee for parents and £2 joining fee for care providers.
Amy Marson, assistant play development worker said: “Toys are so expensive these days and often you do not know what may appeal to your child, so why not borrow toys just like books from the library.
“The aim of the East Riding children centre’s Toy Libraries is to provide a quality range of fun stimulating and educational toys for children under 5.”
Amy, who has been running the toy library for two years at Driffield Children Centre, says that the scheme has always had a good response from residents and wants to encourage more people to use the library.
“Anyone can join the toy library whether they’re family members, carers, grandparents or child care providers.
“We have grandparents who use the toy library when they have grandchildren to stay over the school holidays, foster carers who are looking after children temporarily and people who are just looking after their friend’s children,” Amy added.
Those wishing to use the Toy Library based at the Children Centre are asked to sign up to the Centre and register for the Toy Library, however, Amy assures those interested in making use of the Toy Library Scheme that they do not need to take an active role in the Children Centre to use the library.
Amy said: “There is no obligation for parents who sign up to the Toy Library to use the Children Centre, the Toy Library is run on a pop-in basis so people can turn up when it suits them during the sessions, have a look at the toys and borrow them, you do not have to stay for the entire session.”
The Toy Library uses a catalogue system which enables the borrower to see all the toys available and reserve a toy if it is already on loan. All toys are safety checked and cleaned following return from each borrower.
“All the toys are kept in a container, we have around 600 toys so not all of them can be taken to each session, using the catalogue system people can see the full range of toys and ask us to bring them along to the next session or reserve toys that are out on loan.
“The full catalogue is available all the time in the Children Centre reception and at all of the Toy Library sessions for people to pop in and see what we’ve got.
“A lot of people worry that there will be a charge if a toy gets broken but if it does happen there are no chargers and you won’t get penalised, we just appreciate people letting us know what has happened.” Amy added.
The Toy Library has received great feedback from parents and carers who have used the facility, they have said: “The toys have been a great asset to all parents and childminders alike, they are all clean and not broken. The staff are always welcoming and helpful.”
“I think the toy library is a fantastic service and my daughter gets very excited about trying out the new toys.”
“We look forward to the toy library coming - very friendly approachable staff and a fab variety of toys. We feel it is important to have a hands-on, personal visit, its nice to view the toys. Thank you for this excellent service.”
“An excellent selection of toys available, my children range from 5 to 10 years old and they all enjoy playing with the toys and arts and craft equipment we have hired from the toy library.”
Toy Library sessions run on the fourth Thursday of every month at the Children Centre from 11am - 12.30pm when members can go along and have a look and play with the toys available and browse the catalogue.
Other sessions available are; Langtoft Children’s Centre on the second Tuesday of each month from 10am -11am. Little bears, Nafferton Chapel on the third Tuesday and first Friday of the month from 10am - 11am. First Steps, Scout Hut, Driffield on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 10am -11am. Wetwang Mother and Toddler group, St Paul’s Chapel, Wetwang on the first Tuesday of the month from 2pm- 3pm. Mother and toddler group, Northfield School, Driffield on the second Wednesday of each month from 10.30am -11.15am. Kilham Mother and toddler group, Kilham Village Hall on the third Wednesday of each month from 10am - 11am. Garton Mother and toddler group, Garton Primary School on the first Thursday of each month from 1.30pm - 3pm and Hutton Cranswick mother and toddler group. Methodist Church on the third Friday of each month from 10am -11am.
Toys can be collected and returned from any of the above groups and if a group or school is interested in holding their own toy library or for more information do not hesitate to contact Amy on 01377 240782, email amy.marson@eastriding.gov.uk or call into the Driffield Children Centre, Beckside, Driffield, YO25 6QN.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Driffield
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.