Organized Playgroups in Darien
A new resident to town emailed me last week inquiring about organized playgroups in Darien. I offered the following suggestions, and if anyone else has some to add please Comment below!
The two organized playgroups that immediately came to mind were the YWCA and the Darien Community Association’s “Mom’s Morning In.” Both of these organizations have great reputations, are relatively inexpensive to belong to, and offer a terrific variety of programs and classes for kids and adults in addition to playgroups — DEFINITELY worth joining.
The playgroups through the YWCA are organized according to birth date, and they offer a Saturday playdate program for working moms, too! The “Mom’s Morning In” group is all one group, regardless of age, meets once a week on Fridays at the DCA (as opposed to someone’s house), and offers structured crafts and guest entertainers for the little ones.
Although it’s not an organized playgroup, per se, I also have to recommend the Darien Library as a FABULOUS place for children to play and for parents to make new friends. In addition to offering structured programs like storytimes and drop-offs, the Children’s Department has a great area for toddlers to play; and they actually encourage playing! For more on the Library, read my review … but all I can say is that pretty much any time of day, you can show up there and let your little ones explore and interact with each other and a plethora of books and puzzles and even space to run and climb, while you can meet other moms. It’s a lifesaver in a million different ways!
For that matter, Cherry Lawn Park is kind of Grand Social Station when the weather is nice: you and your little ones are bound to make new friends there — but don’t forget the sunblock, there’s no shade!
There are also 2 paid playgroup programs, both of which have excellent reputations and require advance registration: Organized Playgroups, by Veronica Ponce, and Playdates, by Maureen Bloom. Both of these programs offer supervision by accredited child educators with structured activities, in the homes of the participants — that rotates on a regular basis. It’s a very successful concept, and very popular!
Hope this is a helpful start, and again, I welcome anyone to jump in with additional suggestions!
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The YWCA Darien/Norwalk not only offer playgroups for parents with children up to 3 years we also have Toddler Time and Summer Fun which are our one day a week drop off program. Children must be 2 by June 2 for Summer Fun and 2 by September 8 for Toddler Time. We still have some openings please call 655-2535 to register.
Thank you,
Ellen Kirby
Program Director
Your web gets better and better every day! Thanks for the post!
Hope all is well, best for you and Liam!
V