Community Donors Step Up to Save Toddler Groups as Funding Squeeze Bites

Stay and play groups for toddlers are turning to individual donors to survive as traditional funding streams dry up amidst the cost of living crisis. Group leaders report that grant applications have become significantly more competitive, with rising operational costs leaving many toddler sessions struggling to cover basic expenses like venue hire, equipment, and insurance. These early years groups provide crucial support for families with children from birth to age five, offering safe spaces for development, parental wellbeing, and community connection. When local authority budgets for children's centres and family hubs are stretched, volunteer-run toddler groups often fill the gap—but they now rely increasingly on the generosity of parents and local benefactors to remain open. The situation highlights the fragility of early years infrastructure and the vital role of community-led provision in supporting school readiness and family resilience. Without sustained investment or new funding models, many of these groups face an uncertain future, despite the clear benefits they deliver for child development and parental mental health.