Inside the cozy confines of the Weybridge School, is the lovely library. Every Monday morning, Weybridge School librarian Megan Sutton and community friend Fran Putnam host a playgroup and story time for children. The playgroup begins with an open play session. Children can build with blocks, play with toy cars, build a wooden railway, and select from a variety of age-appropriate books. Older children sometimes sit at the tables and look through the wonderful collection of books in the library.
After open play and cleanup, all the children gather around one of the hosts for a story time and singalong. Plopped on small pillows, the kids lounge and listen to a few fun stories before belting out a few classic kids tunes. Following the songs, the communal art experience continues with a small art and craft for the group and some fun sculpting with homemade playdough.
Always on offer is the friendly comradery of fellow parents and the opportunity to let the kids have a fun time in a safe communal environment. In fair weather, it’s possible to enjoy the lovely playground and fields outside the Weybridge School. And I’ve also heard a rumor that if you call ahead, it’s possible to share in the school lunch cooked up daily by the Weybridge School’s cafeteria.
There’s ample parking the front lot of the Weybridge School. The front office is just to the right as you enter the school. But the library is easy enough to find – just head in, turn left at the ramp, and walk up to the library, again on your left. Also, please keep in mind, school is in session during the playgroup!
Also, with in a couple of minutes from the Weybridge lot, you can be shopping in the small retail space at Monument Farms dairy! Chocolate milk for everyone!
The hosts of story time Fran Putnam and Megan Sutton with a regular attendee.
MiniBury grabbed a few minutes from Megan to ask her some questions about the playgroup, and her perspective.
MB: What’s your favorite part of this playgroup?
MS: At the most basic level, my most favorite part of this playgroup is spending time with young children. As anyone here would tell you, I have a wicked soft spot for babies, but I also thoroughly enjoy the almost daily wonder and discovery of toddlers. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know families I might not have otherwise met.
MB: What’s it like to be a child at this playgroup? A parent?
MS: I would like to think that being a child at this playgroup is a fairly enjoyable enterprise! We welcome all children and their caregivers to a low stress, neutral, comforting play time. We have board books, toddler toys, a read aloud, singing, a simple art activity and playdough. Some families choose to play on the playground afterward, and every now and then a family will bring their lunch. For parents, this playgroup is an opportunity to connect with familiar adults and children, and also an opportunity to meet new families. It’s a quiet, relaxed time.
MB: What’s a good thing to know about before someone attends this event?
MS: This storytime is relatively unstructured and flexible, as it’s never quite clear how many people are attending and the age configuration. The children can range in age from newborns to 7 year olds and the caregivers might be a parent, a nanny, or a grandparent. We do not serve food, unless we’re doing a special event, like a Teddy Bear’s Picnic!
MB: What’s the best spot for little kids in town that no one knows about?
MS: I may not be the best person to ask, as I was always pretty happy to muck about with my kids, but I think playing by the river in Frog Hollow is pretty neat, followed up with a bakery treat or an ice cream cone. The track and field area at the college is pretty fun, as is the pond behind the Arts Center.
MB: What do you enjoy about working with young children?
MS: I will never have enough time to express what I enjoy about working with children. As a school librarian, I have the joyful opportunity to introduce children to a variety of literature and other resources. As a teacher, I can guide students in the joy of new discoveries. As a storytime person, I get to connect with very young children, play with them on the floor, read a favorite book and muddle my way through a song – what could be better than that?
Weybridge School
Library Playgroup
210 Quaker Village Rd in Weybridge
Weekly on Mondays 10:00AM – 11:30AM
- Follows ACSD calendar, including snow days!
Birth to 5YO
Free, WIC approved activity