Mims Davies, MP for Eastleigh, recently visited YMCA’s Eastleigh Pre-School to deliver a generous donation of new toys and games for their Toy Library on behalf of the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA).
Commenting, Mims said:
“I was delighted to be able to personally deliver the gifts donated to the toy library in Eastleigh, which is run by our local YMCA Group.”
“The work that the YMCA delivers across my constituency is amazing, and I was thrilled to nominate it to receive these gifts which will bring so much joy to so many young people in our area.”
What is a Toy Library?
Quite simply, a Toy Library is a place where parents or children can borrow toys at no or low cost to take home. It operates like a book library where you borrow set number of items and return them within a stated time. This gives your child greater variety of good, educational play equipment to help develop vital skills and is more cost effective for parents. You may be able to trial a toy you’re thinking of buying as a gift but also have access to toys you wouldn’t perhaps consider or afford to buy. It’s also a useful way to introduce children to other cultures and aid their development with more diverse play. And who doesn’t want to save space in their own home?
Who can use the YMCA Toy Libraries and where are they?
They are open to all children within participating childcare settings and children within the local communities. Currently, we offer a toy library with toys supplied courtesy of Community Playlink at the following locations, we hope to expand this very soon:
- Weston Library
- Eastleigh Pre-School
- Weston Pre-School
What do they offer?
A wide range of toys and play equipment specially selected for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to help both improve your child’s skills and for enjoyment, stimulation and fun. Our helpful and friendly staff members will help you/your child choose the best toys. You can be assured that the toys are regularly cleaned. Here are some of the toys we can offer:
- Baby toys
- Sensory play
- Soft-play toys
- Toddler toys
- Small world play toys
- Home Corner equipment
- Outdoor toys – ride on toys
- Construction sets
- Role play equipment
- Puzzles and games
- Dolls
- Musical Instruments
Eastleigh Pre-School is one of 13 YMCA nurseries and pre-schools across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and is in the Sirocco Park development opposite Fleming Park, within easy reach of the town centre for the local community. The Pre-School is purpose built providing excellent quality childcare and offering a fantastic environment for their learning and development.
Children can enjoy a wide range of activities with our exceptional staff team, enabling them to learn and develop through play. The pre-school fully embraces active and outdoor play with each day bringing a new adventure.
Eastleigh’s YMCA Pre-school manager, Katy Wills, said “It was great to meet Mims and to show her our pre-school and the work that we do within the YMCA to support both our children and our local community. We are grateful for the additional resources for our toy library and pre-school; the children were very excited to see all the new toys and games and will get a lot of fun from playing with them, thank you for choosing our pre-school”.