Group Leader Information

Group Leader Information

Leaders Required


Would you be interested in volunteering at a Toddler group or do you need a volunteer/s to help lend a hand at your group? We can advertise for help via these pages or put you in touch with groups that may be interested in volunteers.Contact the NAPI office . Tel 0191-2656158


Roles of a Volunteer


The following are some of the roles undertaken by volunteers in a Toddler group:


  1. Set up and clear away a simulating play environment for 0-4 years.
  2. Provide a space for parents/carers to interact with their peers and their children.
  3. Make sure that issues relating to Health and Safety are addressed.
  4. Keep records of the group in relation to finance and attendance.
  5. Empower parents by creating an environment in which they can take part in all aspects of running the group.
  6. Prepare snacks and drinks for parents.

Grants/Fundraising


A good way to raise money for you toddler group is to ask members to bring a bag of old or unwanted clothes to be weighed in. Most weigh in places will arrange collection from your group if you have enough bags, most pay from 40p per kilo upwards.


Warburtons Bakery have funding opportunities, they can offer;bread products for events that you are having, they do need 2 weeks notice.

They will donate £250.00 to help you to deliver an activity to your group.


They also offer larger grants from £1000 - £10,000. For details of all of these go to their website.


Link for Warburtons >>



Did you know that Asda supports regisitered charities, schools and community groups. Check it out at your local store or visit their website for more information www.asda.com >>



Ward Committee Grants: Every ward Committee in Newcastle has money available for voluntary and community sector organisations. Applications are accepted for "not for profit organisations" i.e. community groups. For further information Newcastle Ward committee Fund >>



Nunsmoor Centre in Fenham have an access fund available for families with children up to 18 years. The grants are for around £500. Applicants should be in receipt of higher or middle rate disability living allowance or subject to a SEN statement or have a CAF in place. For further info contact Brian Graham tel 2261006 or email nunsmoorcentre@newcastle.gov.uk   


link for Nunsmoor Access Fund >>



Walker Soup is an initiative in Walker and is available to community groups in and around the surrounding areas. They have quarterly grant dinners where attendees recieve a meal and a vote. Those having the meal pay a donation for the food and then 4 groups or individuals pitch for the money raised on the evening. They also run a similar citywide scheme for under 25's. For more info contact their Development Coordinator Francesca Maddison Tel 2632752 email: francesca@buildingfutureseast.org they also have a facebook page and website www.facebook.com/walkersoup


Many grants given require groups to have:-


  • a consitution
  • a bank account
  • safeguarding policies


If you need and support to apply for funding contact your support worker or ring the NAPI office.

Publications


NAPI has a number of publications which are available to purchase. These include the following:

All prices do not include post and packing which will be at the currant rate.

If you would like further details on these or wish to purchase any publications please contact the NAPI office on 0191 265 6158.

Training Manual


When starting up a Toddler we have made a training manual to help in all areas with the set up and running a Toddler group please click on the link below to access the Training manual.


Training Manual >>

Public Liability


Your group must take out adequate insurance to cover:


Public Liability (People visiting group) for up to £5 million


Accidents/Injuries/Theft/Damage


Where groups do not take out insurance, leaders can be held personally liable for any claims made against the group. Your group may have insurance if you are part of a Community Centre/Church or School. However if you are named as one of these hosts activities you must check with them and if possible recieve written confirmation of this and a copy of the insurance policy and schedule.


If you require insurance the following organisations offer specialist policies.


The price depends on each application.


MORTON MICHELL TEL: 03300 589861 - They offer insurance for groups running 5 sessions per week.


PRE-SCHOOL LEARNING TEL: 02076 972500 - They offer insurance for 1-10 sessions per week. Also includes additional cover for outings.

Disclosure and Barring Services


If you are a leader of a toddler group or a regular volunteer at one NAPI would recommend that you undergo a Disclosure and Barring check.

The responsibility for children at a Parent and Toddler Group always remains with the parent.

Many venues will insist on DBS checks before allowing a group to run from their premises.

Checks may be carried out by the host organisation, if this is not the case then Group Leaders can register their group with an organisation called Caring Hands who will carry out the check for a administration charge.

The detail of the organisation are:

Caring Hands
32-34 Wretham Place
Newcastle NE2 1XU
Tel 2615234

http://www.caringhandscharity.org.uk/

Pass it on to Parents


Pass it on to Parents is a group of parents who have children with a disability or special needs.


They are a wide network who want to support al parents of disabled children in Newcastle.


They can help with:


  • Getting you the right information
  • Meeting other parents
  • Supporting you and your family
  • making a support plan


For more information Contact


Shelagh  07891460513


or email: information@skillsforpeople.org.uk


The dedicated website is Family Advice & Support – Skills For People


Physical Activity Guidelines


If you would like ideas to ensure that your toddler group encourages physical play or would like to look at the Physical play equipment that your free Toy Library membership gives please call 2656158 or email us at admin@napi.org.uk


The department of health have produced physical activity guidelines for Under Fives for both children who are and are not yet walking.They outline the benefits of being active and give examples of ways to encourage physical activity.


For further information please see the website:



www.nhs.uk/livewell where you can download a copy of the guidelines.


Speech and Language Development


We have come across a really good, informative speech and language development poster which gives guidelines for what stages of speech and development children go through.


Download Speech and Language development poster


Group Policies


Please see below links for model policies for your Parent and Toddler Group.

How to become a N.A.P.I. Member


Would you be interested in knowing more about becoming a member of N.A.P.I. and learning about the support we can offer? Contact us on Tel 2656158 or email admin@napi.org.uk.

We can offer support for you to whether you run an existing group or are thinking of setting up a new group. As well as practical advice and support from our experienced staff team membership of N.A.P.I. also provides:

  • Available to all Newcastle based Toddler groups
  • No Membership fee
  • Regular support, advice and practical help from professional, qualified and experienced staff for new and existing groups.
  • Help in a moment of crisis.
  • An up to date toddler group directory which promotes your group and signposts parents/carers to other groups in the area. 
  • Designated website for parents and group leaders. www.napi.org.uk 
  • Facebook Page-Free adverts for vacancies in groups.
  • Access to free events - such as fun days.
  • Information relating to Insurance cover.
  • Access to model policies and procedures.
  • Good practice/risk check for all groups.
  • Up to date relevant information.
  • Opportunity to develop individual skills.
  • Modelling good practice.
  • Volunteer certificates.
  • champion for Parent and Toddler Groups.
  • Short term lone of suitable toys and equipment via a free toy library service.
  • Access to and information about relevant training courses.
  • Low cost laminating / photocopying service.
  • Access to fundraising, trust and grant giving bodies and support in the application process.
  • signpost to other relevant agencies and organisations.
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