A Parent & Toddler Group is an informal group within the local community, which provides an opportunity for young children and their parents/carers to meet. Parent & toddler groups can be a great way of meeting other people with children the same age as yours in your area. In addition, they provide a space where young children can play and have fun, make new friends. They can also make the transition from home into pre-school a little easier. While these were traditionally aimed at mothers/fathers, they are now aimed at childminders, grandparents and other guardians. Groups can organise guest speakers to address the parents on issues of interest to them such as nutrition, child development, speech therapy or arrange a meeting with the public health nurse and anything else the group decides would be of value. Parent and Toddler groups are held in local community centres or church halls while others meet in the homes of group members.
A list of Parent & Toddler Groups are available by clicking on the following link.
Parent and Toddler information pack
To view our Parent and Toddler group information leaflet please click below. Please refer to the list above when contacting a parent and toddler group.
If you wish to establish your own parent and toddler group contact Roscommon CCC on 094 9622540. Grants are available for Parent and Toddler Groups. Tusla’s Guide on- Starting a Parent, Baby or Toddler group
Applications for the Parent & Toddler Grants 2024 are now OPEN.
Would you like to set up a new Parent & Toddler Group in your locality?
A Grant is available, please read the information and documents below.
Information on Grants Available:
- Applications for funding under this scheme should only be made by P&T Groups that are organised on a not-for-profit basis and involve the participation of parents/guardians to include
- Recently arrived parents and children from Ukraine and other countries in the community.
- Grants will normally range from €100 to a total maximum of €1,300. New start up groups may apply for a grant of up to €1, 000; existing P&T Groups can apply for up to €800.
- There is also a maximum of €300 available to operate/establish Buggy Walking Groups.
- Groups are advised to contact their local CCC for further information in respect to this additional funding option (as the maximum allowable funding is €1,300, new groups who are applying for €1,000 are eligible to apply for this additional amount).
Funding will be available for:
- Toys, equipment, and books for indoor and outdoor activities, including children’s refreshments.
- Storage for equipment.
- Training for parents, e.g. paediatric first aid, committee skills, parenting courses, facilitated sessions.
- Promotional Leaflets including any required translations.
- Children’s activities, e.g. arts and crafts, music.
- Limited funding will be available towards insurance or rent, up to a maximum of 50% of total funding for existing services.
- Limited funding will be available towards insurance or rent, up to a maximum of 70% of total funding for new services.
- An amount of up to €300 is available for the establishment of buggy walking groups. It is envisaged that these groups, once established, will involve groups of parents/guardians and children meeting for organised walks on a regular basis (a minimum of 6 walking sessions) in their local community.
Funding will not be available for:
- Groups operating out of private homes.
- One off events such as outings, parties and trips.
- P&T Groups with a closing balance of €3,000 or more in the previous year (except where a P&T Group can provide a signed declaration that the funding available to the P&T group is under €3,000).
- Groups who received funding in previous years and did not return the Progress Report and receipts for items purchased.
Additional Information:
- P&T Groups should have a Bank Account/Credit Union or Post Office Account. The money taken at each session, any grants received by the group or money received from fundraising should be paid into the account. Spending on the group’s behalf should be paid for by cheque/draft or electronic means. All transactions involving the group’s money should be recorded and all receipts kept.
- Applications from P&T Groups will only be accepted from groups known to their local CCC. New groups should arrange to meet a Roscommon CCC staff representative prior to application deadline.
- Existing P&T Groups must submit evidence of appropriate insurance with their application. New P&T Groups should submit evidence of insurance within the first month of receiving the grant.
Parent and Toddler Grant Guidelines and Application form 2024
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