The New Playgroup

The island had a playgroup till 1981, when it was disbanded due to a lack of pre-school children; but by 1985 there were sufficient to justify starting another. The group gives children the opportunity to play with each other, which is especially valuable for those who live outside the village as they only see other children on boat days - when there's no time for play. Also they can play with different toys and participate in messy activities such as painting, water play and pretend baking with dough. The mothers have a chance to discuss any worries about their children with others who have been through the same situation.

To start with I asked how many mothers were interested in re-starting a playgroup and writing for information. I was put in touch with Mrs Olive Brown, Area Organiser for the Mull and District Branch of the Scottish Pre-School Play Association (S.P.P.A.). The association was created by playgroups, mother-and-toddler, and under-five groups joining together to form a network of support and services to help in the running of groups. Due to the small number of pre-school children it was suggested we set up an underfive group.

Mrs Louise Oliphant, head of Arinagour school, offered us the school's dining room to meet in, and I take this opportunity to thank her for all her co-operation - especially in putting up with the noise, which is some times considerable! The acquisition of toys was the next consideration. We started off by inheriting some from the former group and generous mothers donated toys their own children had outgrown. A fund-raising whist-drive made enough for us to purchase a water and sand tray which has proved a great success with the children as a lovely mess can be made. The Mull & District branch of the S.P.P.A. also gave us an initial donation. The under-fives meet for two hours every Wednesday morning. The children enjoy it and the sessions have improved as more attend and the older children now do painting and craft-work.

The group's only real problem is not being able to get 'playgroup status'. This means we are not eligible for grants and that children of three years and over cannot be left with the play-leader and helpers to get used to being away from their mothers for short periods. We were surprised to find we couldn't become a playgroup as the school's dining room is not up to fire regulation standard because there's no emergency exit direct to the open air. Not to be deterred, the Coll under-five group became an associate member of the S.P.P.A. in 1986. This August the under-five group will lose its three oldest members who will start school, but it looks as though it will continue for a few years yet as there are plenty of babies on the island to keep it going!

Karen Taylor