Many families desire to have more opportunities to provide adequate socialization and learning opportunities for their children, age birth to five. The vast majority of families rely on extended family members, neighbors, friends, or other adults in their support network for care of their children. The lack of formal, regulated child care settings in certain parts of the county contribute to the families’ decisions to use informal child care arrangements, for reasons including accessibility, familiarity, beliefs, and values. Out of respect for these choices but at the same time recognizing the need to strengthen school readiness, Stokes Partnership for Children is offering outreach playgroups in Stokes County.

The groups are offered FREE to anyone caring for children birth to five who are not in regulated child care and can answer yes to any of these questions.

• Have you chosen to stay home with your young child but value
   the importance of school readiness?
• Are you a grandparent caring for a young grandchild?
• Are you looking for opportunities to enhance your child’s early learning?
• Are you interested in meeting others in your area with young children?
• Do you believe school readiness begins at birth?

Benefits include:
• Introduction to school readiness.
• Opportunities to increase communication skills.
• Opportunities for social development.
• Opportunities to increase motor skills.
• Exposure to literacy activities.

Special benefits for parents and caregivers:
• Increased satisfaction with the parenting/caregiving role.
• Improved parent/caregiver-child interactions
• Decrease in isolation.
• Improved child nutrition and safety.
• Improved knowledge of services available for their family.
• Receive items for use at home to enhance what was learned in group.

Rules - At all times, the parent/caregiver must:
• Be present and responsible for supervising their child(ren).
• Bring no more than three children to each playgroup.
• Interact with their child(ren) during playgroups.
• Interact with other parents during playgroup.
• Help to insure the integrity of the facility.


Schedule of Current Meetings:
Francisco - Francisco Presbyterian Church on the second and fourth Tuesday of each
month from 9:30am until 11:30am.

Sandy Ridge - Sandy Ridge Community Center on the second and fourth Thursday of
each month from 9:30am until 11:30am.

If you are interested in attending either group or would like to see a group formed in your area contact the Outreach for School Readiness staff at 336-985-2676 or 1-800-559-5606 or email dwishon@stokespfc.com