Gumdrops Playgroup

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQS).

If your question wasn't answered here, send me email. The "Club" refers to the Foster City Mothers' Club.

1. What is a playgroup?

   A playgroup is an informal gathering of mothers with their babies and children. Playgroups fulfill two purposes: (1) for the children to play and socialize with other children and (2) for mommy support--you are not alone. Who but a fellow mother can truly understand sleep deprivation and the boundless joy children can bring?

2. Who can join the Gumdrops playgroup?

   Any member of the Club.

3. Where and when does the Gumdrops playgroup meet?

   Where:  parks in Foster City, playgroup members homes, and other various locations
   When:  various times, more than once a week

   You will never see the playgroup schedule posted on this web site. Anyone anywhere can look at a web site. For the safety of our children, that information is only given to members of the playgroup.

4. Tell me about the Gumdrops playgroup.

   Currently, we have first and second-time Mommies with year 2000 babies and older children. We have babies older than 10 months and children from age 1½ to 4 years with most of the children around 2½ years.

   Some members of the playgroup are happily pregnant with the second or third child on the way. Between the pregnant mommies and the potty trained/"in potty training" children, this playgroup chooses parks with potties or outings with potties readily available.

   The playgroup has about thirteen mothers on the roster. As with any group, about five to seven Mommies with their children come to a playgroup.

5. Is the Gumdrops playgroup accepting new members?

   Yes.

6. Can I belong to more than one playgroup?

   Yes. Try out different playgroups to see which ones best fit your schedule, your children's nap times, etc. Keep in mind that the mother is also going for herself. If a particular mix of children and mothers doesn't work for you, try another playgroup.

   For example, the first playgroup I joined worked well until my child's nap time changed. Despite other children also having a nap time during the playgroup, the members kept the meeting time the same. I stopped going. I'd rather my child have her nap than be cranky and tired during a playgroup.

   If a day/time doesn't work for you, mention it to the Playgroup Coordinator. Perhaps other mothers are voicing similiar concerns. When I took over the Gumdrops, I polled the mothers and found a better day for everyone. Things change like the cold weather outside, nap times, pre-school days for older children, etc. The playgroup should adjust to the changes of its members.

7. Can I bring other people to the playgroup like my grandparents who are visiting?

   Sure. Daddys, grandparents, visiting relatives, friends, etc. are welcome. However, keep in mind that any Mommy with children who regularly wants to attend the Playgroup must join the Club.

8. Is the Gumdrops playgroup canceled on rainy days?

   No. The Foster City Parks & Recreation Department (the Rec. dept.) furnishes the playgroup with a free room at the Rec. dept. on rainy days. So far, getting a room for a rainy day has not been a problem. (The Club members volunteer for the annual Parks & Recreation Scarecrow Festival and the Club gets various benefits for this, one of which is a free room on a rainy day.)

9. Who is the Playgroup Coordinator and what role does she play?

   The Playgroup Coordinator is a volunteer from the playgroup. The Playgroup Coordinator position should rotate among the playgroup members about once a year. The person in this position can do as much or as little as she wants. Her duties include:

   • Scheduling the days and times the playgroup meets.
   • Keeping a roster of the playgroup members.
   • Making herself available to members and perspective members with her telephone number and email address.
   • Writing blurbs for the Club newsletter about the playgroup.
   • Notifying the Club Playgroup Coordinator that she is head of the playgroup when taking over the playgroup. Meet with the Club Playgroup Coordinator once in awhile.
   • Coordinating refreshments for one meeting of the Club.
   • Be present at Club monthly meeting to hand out playgroup schedules to interested members.
   • On rainy days, call the Foster City Parks and Recreation Department a couple days in advance to reserve a free room for the playgroup. (This is one of the benefits of the Club belonging to the Parks and Recreation Department.) You also have to go to the Parks and Recreation Department and fill out a "facility application" for the room.
   • Any fun thing she wants to do.

10. Where can I found out about other playgroups in the Foster City Mothers' Club?

    Read the playgroup page of the Club newsletter.

11. What about my personal information?
    No personal information will ever appear on this web site. Information is only shared with the playgroup members and includes:
    • Mother's name and child(ren) name(s).
    • Child(ren) birthday(s).
    • Address.
    • Telephone Number.
    • email address.

This information is strictly voluntary. It's used for communication about playgroup meetings, playgroup activities and children's birthdays. If a mother is just trying out the playgroup, this information doesn't have to be given. If a mother would like to join, at least the email address and/or phone number is needed.

The roster will not be emailed for two reasons. (1) With email, it's too easy to pass files around. I don't want people's personal information accidentally blasted all over the Internet. With a hard copy, a person has to work harder to mess up. :-) (2) If a person cannot come to the playgroup, they do not get a roster.