Introduction

‘I’m just …’ is a familiar way to start a sentence for parent and toddler leaders. ‘I’m just running a weekly toddler group.’ ‘I’m just putting out some toys.’ ‘I’m just doing craft.’ ‘I’m just …’ . We can often underrate and downplay the value of what we do. We may know that our group is worthwhile and that families enjoy it. But that’s not the whole story. Beneath the surface of our noisy, messy and chaotic sessions there is all sorts of hidden treasure. Children are learning how to interact with others, developing communication skills, gaining resilience, growing in curiosity and much more.

Before we know it, the children in our groups are leaving us and starting to put on a school uniform five mornings a week. We’ve helped them prepare for that. Our groups give children the opportunity to develop the skills they need to adapt to school life and thrive in their education. So, please, never say ‘I’m just …’ again. You’re doing more than you think.