Play, Learn, Grow is an 8 week course that is part of Home-Start HOST’s school readiness offer, and supports parents to support their child’s learning and development through fun activity ideas.
Play, Learn, Grow is aimed at families with children aged 2 – 5 and is open to anyone who wishes to attend. Families can ask to attend the course or they may be referred from a professional such as a health visitor or early years setting
The course contains 8 one hour sessions, which focus on many aspects of development including listening and understanding, talk and communication, physical development, maths and literacy.
Key information
- Duration: Ongoing
- Start Date: 28th July 2025
- End Date: 31st December 2025
- Volunteer: Weekly
- Availability: Monday AM, Monday PM, Tuesday AM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday AM, Wednesday PM, Thursday AM, Thursday PM, Friday AM, Friday PM
- Tasks: Engage with the children in play. Observing what they are doing and trying to help them develop their ideas.
Model the focused activities with families, this includes coming down to the child’s level to join in the activity and encouraging the parents to continue with the different activities and strategies throughout the session. For example, as the parent is watching the child play, comment on what the child is doing and try to get the parent involved in this.
Talk to parents about how the activities support child development.
Help with the setting up and tidying up of the sessions.
Supporting families completing the assessment forms.
Feedback any conversations with families to the PLG coordinator.
Feedback any concerns to the PLG coordinator.
Observe and share with the coordinator any parent/child interactions you have seen.
Feedback to the coordinator about how the child engaged in the activities.. Help to record the child’s voice. - Training: We have a training course scheduled for August and then another one later in the year subject to demand
- Requirements: Willing to travel by public transport or find own way to volunteering location
- Skill And Qualifications Required: Listening and empathy
- Interests: Children, Education, Families
- Suitability: Indoor, Long term commitment, University students
- Activities: Befriending, Mentoring
- Skills: Listening, Talking to others, Teamwork
- Home Based: No
- DBS Check: Yes
Model the focused activities with families, this includes coming down to the child’s level to join in the activity and encouraging the parents to continue with the different activities and strategies throughout the session. For example, as the parent is watching the child play, comment on what the child is doing and try to get the parent involved in this.
Talk to parents about how the activities support child development.
Help with the setting up and tidying up of the sessions.
Supporting families completing the assessment forms.
Feedback any conversations with families to the PLG coordinator.
Feedback any concerns to the PLG coordinator.
Observe and share with the coordinator any parent/child interactions you have seen.
Feedback to the coordinator about how the child engaged in the activities.. Help to record the child’s voice.