Parent and Toddler Groups
The Chatham Salvation Army Corps provides two Parent and Toddler groups to meet the needs of parents with children from 0-3 years of age. Both groups are recognised as offering a contact for parents to the services and activities of the corps. Invitations are given to parents to attend other appropriate corps activities at any time.
Left: Christmas Party – Right: Ready for Bonfire Night
OUR AIM
Our aim is to provide a caring and relaxed Christian environment which will offer support and will enable friendships to develop for both parents and children. The groups also aim to provide experiences and socialisation skills to prepare children for playgroups and nursery education. A further aim is to share parenting experiences to help each other gain knowledge and confidence in the responsibility of parenthood.
The groups welcome, accept and value all people irrespective of colour, race or culture in an attitude of understanding, while exploring and supporting similarities and differences that we share.
MUMMY AND ME
Mummy and Me is primarily for parents with first babies, although siblings born before the first child is 2 are able to attend. The group meets every Friday from 10am – 12noon except during August.
THE ARK
The Ark is for parents with children from 18 months to 3 years. The group meets on Monday during school terms from 10am -12noon
The Staff
The staff of both groups are members of the corps and have attended the ‘Safe and Sound’ training course dealing with child protection issues.
Verna Smith is responsible for the running of both groups and is the leader for Mummy and Me. Verna is a retired Health Visitor having worked for a number of years with the Swale Primary Health Care Trust.
Verna Smith
Frankie Kember is the leader for The Ark and has had previous experience of playgroup leadership. She is also active with Inner Wheel.
Frankie Kember
Verna and Frankie are assisted by Olive Lockwood, Alma Brown, Gill Wylie and Patti Meers who are delighted to be part of this friendly team.
Activities
Each group provides suitable toys and activities appropriate for the ages of the children. Birthdays are celebrated and other special occasions are recognised. Christmas is a very exciting time with the children dressing up as Nativity characters for their Carol services which are followed by a visit from Father Christmas and a party.
We also try to develop an awareness of the needs of others by holding fund raising activities twice a year and have been able to send contributions to Barnados, Demelza House, the Special Care Baby Unit at Medway Maritime Hospital, Kings College Hospital, Foot Doctors in China, The Haven Children’s Home in India and Macmillan Cancer Support. We are always keen to hear of other needs we can support in the future.
Parenting Courses
The Parenting Courses comprise seven weekly sessions offering effective parenting support to parents of children from birth to six years of age and are run according to demand.
Contact Us
We are always very happy to welcome new parents and toddlers to our groups and to receive enquiries for the parenting courses. Further information can be obtained from
Verna Smith Tel: 01634 234604
Email: vernaanne2@aol.com
Or use the main contact us page.