Learn More About Playgroups USA...

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Q: How do I join a playgroup?
Q: How long does it take to get in to a playgroup?
Q: How many families are in a playgroup?
Q: Where do the playgroups take place?
Q: "I have more than one child (a 10-month old and a 3-year old) - which one should I sign up to join a playgroup?"
Q: What is a Group Leader?
Q: What am I responsible for when I host in my home?
Q: How long should a playgroup last?
Q: If necessary, can I switch to another playgroup?
Q: I forgot my password - what do I do now?
Q: Won't this be a little awkward at first?
Q: Are the playgroups listed that came up in my search new playgroups?
Q:  Is there a group organizer for each playgroup?
Q: How do you differ from the other 'playgroup' Internet sites?
Q: How will I be notified to attend the first playgroup?
Q: What if I start a new playgroup and no one joins?
Q: What else does Playgroups USA offer?
Q: What kind of Playgroups do you help establish?
Q: Is there a fee for joining?

Q: How do I join a playgroup? (back to top)
A: Log on to to create your profile.  Once you have submitted your profile, you will be shown all of the available playgroups in your area or given the option to start a new playgroup. If you are able to select a playgroup or join one that is active and in the process of forming, you will be asked to confirm your participation online.  A playgroup can officially begin when 5 members join the same group. 

Q: How long does it take to get in to a playgroup? (back to top)
A: The membership activity in your area is the primary factor in determining how long it will take your playgroup to be up and running. Typically, playgroups are formed within a few weeks if not immediately, but it can take up to 60 days for enough members to join each group.  If you would like, you can help get the word out about Playgroups USA in your area by posting the Playgroups USA flyer in areas where moms and kids gather. 

Q: How many families are in a playgroup? (back to top)
A: A playgroup can consist of 5 families and up.  The Group Leader can close the group at any time once five members have joined, or chose to keep it 'open' for new members to join. Each Group Leader has the ability to log on to the system as an administrator to manage the membership in their playgroup.

Q: Where do the playgroups take place? (back to top)
A: Usually in the member's homes or in a public meeting place such as a local park, library, kids public play area, etc.

Q: "I have more than one child (a 10-month old and a 3-year old) - which one should I sign up to join a playgroup?" (back to top)
A: Generally, the oldest child will join a playgroup and you may find that there will be other children with younger siblings also.  If you have the inclination, both children could be in a playgroup of their own with other children their age.  Your membership will allow you to sign up for a playgroup for each child!

Q: What is a Group Leader? (back to top)
A: The Group Leader is, a parent or caregiver who volunteered to organize a playgroup by posting a new playgroup. Once this person posted the playgroup they committed themselves to help organize and get the playgroup established.  Once a playgroup is officially formed and ready to  begin, each member will be sent a notification that an event has been added to your playgroup calendar, to find out where the playgroup is meeting that week, each member will log on to the playgroup calendar to view the event and to RSVP. Typically, the Group Leader recommends the first, public location for the playgroup date!  

Q: What am I responsible for when I host in my home? (back to top)
A: Just designate a room or area in your home for the moms and kids to gather. It does not have to be a big space, but it will need to be an area for the moms to sit on the floor with a few toys for the kids to play with. 

Q: How long should a playgroup last? (back to top)
A: Generally one to two hours. This is left up to the playgroup.

Q: If necessary, can I switch to another playgroup?  (back to top)
A: Absolutely, we want you to be happy with your playgroup and your membership allows you to join as many playgroups as you'd like. Simply alert your group leader that you will no longer be attending, remove your name from that group, and return to www.playgroupsusa.com to opt in to a new playgroup.

Q: I forgot my password - what do I do now? (back to top)
A: There is a "forgot password" button on the login page that will send your password to the email address you use as a username.  If you are no longer able to access that email account, please contact us to request a new username and password.

Q: Won't this be a little awkward at first? (back to top)
A: What makes this service so successful is that each family is at the same point in their lives and have similar hopes and expectations when joining a playgroup.  Our families typically have a few main things in common: 1) The parents signing up for playgroups want their children to be able to interact and meet other children around their same age, 2) They would like to meet other parents for feedback, support and the chance to socialize with other adults, 3) All the parents live within a few miles of each other. 

Q: Are the playgroups listed that came up in my search new playgroups? (back to top)
A: The playgroups that you see are new or active playgroups that are currently recruiting new members.  Once a group is fully established, the Group Leader is responsible for changing the status of the group to full so you will not be joining a group where you are the only new member. Each playgroup posted automatically closes after 120 days of when it was posted. If a group would like to keep their playgroup open to accepting members then the Group Leader will need to go in and re-open the playgroup to accepting members.

Q: Is there a group organizer for each playgroup? (back to top)
A: Yes, generally the first member who signs up will take the role of a "Group Leader" and will help organize the first playgroup meeting location.  This is not mandatory, but it helps if someone can take the lead prior to the first get together.  We hope that everyone will be responsible for keeping a strong flow of communication in order to assist in making the playgroup a success for the kids and parents. Participation and communication is the key. Each member is strongly recommended to commit to attend at least 2 playgroups a month prior joining.

Q: How do you differ from the other 'playgroup' Internet sites? (back to top)
A: Other sites that deal with the topic of playgroups usually list third party events where you pay per visit and come and go as you are available.  Playgroups USA is unique in that it organizes the member profiles and gives you the chance to join others who fit your profile.   All this is possible through Playgroup USA's intuitive custom online interface.  With Playgroups USA, you are introduced to the other members and children in the group before you join!  Our system allows you to select a playgroup in your area that has a pre-established, weekly scheduled time and day to meet.   

Q: How will I be notified to attend the first playgroup? (back to top)
A: Once there are 5 or more families in your playgroup, you will receive an email notification that your playgroup is ready to begin or that "An Event has been Added" to your playgroup calendar.  The Group Leader has selected a meeting place and date for the playgroup's first meeting, all the details will be communicated through the playgroup calendar.

Q: What if I start a new playgroup and no one joins? (back to top)
A: Your playgroup will remain "open" to new members as long as you'd like.  As the Group Leader, you may log in and delete the playgroup at any time. You can help establish your playgroup by inviting people you know to join, passing out playgroup cards, posting fliers, using the playgroup link to post on other websites, etc. See Group Leader Tips.

Q: What else does Playgroups USA offer? (back to top)
A: Your registration will grant you access to the playgroup matching tool, a interactive playgroup calendar to keep your playgroup organized and to communicate with your playgroup, and our newsletter with great tips on parenting and playtime ideas. In addition, we are in the process of bringing valuable content for new parents and caregivers to the site and will be expanding our playgroup activities area. We will be offering Lesson Plans for playgroups that will offer several great activity ideas for your playgroup.  These Lesson Plans will provide fun things to do, special snack ideas and even music selections that your group can follow from week to week. Keep checking out site! 

Q: What kind of playgroups do you help establish? (back to top)
A: We have created web matching tools for a range of playgroups that include moms, working moms, moms w/twins, dads, nannies, and grandparents.  Our playgroups are then arranged by age of child from under 1 yrs old, Walking Toddlers (1-2 yrs old), Preschoolers (3-5 yrs old) and School Aged (5+).

Q: Is there a fee for joining? (back to top)
A: No.  We will not be charging members to join Playgroups USA.  This is a free service.

A Final Note:  We suggest meeting for first time in a public place.  Use caution as you would in any circumstance of selecting a caregiver or playmate for your child.