The ̶T̶i̶g̶e̶r̶ Toddlers who came to Tea

In Judith Kerr’s creation, ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’, Sophie had to deal with only one tiger who was feeling a little peckish. In the Little Ivy’s Stay and Play version, Sophie had 53 toddlers and their carers ringing on her doorbell! They ate all the homemade cakes and biscuits, all the fruit from the pots and all the Rich Tea biscuits from the plates. There were so many carers, that the carers drank all the tea and all the coffee and there were so many toddlers, that the toddlers drank all the milk and all the water. We couldn’t wash up because the toddlers had drunk all the water out of the tap!

What to do?  Little Ivy’s could never turn a toddler away. Should we hide?

‘I know what we will do,’ said Sophie, ‘let’s open Little Ivy’s Stay and Play on Fridays, so there is enough cake, fruit and biscuits for everyone!’

Thank you Croydon High, now there is enough room for everyone to enjoy our crafts and activities.

Our Facebook page has reached 223 members, Little Ivy’s Stay and Play community continues to grow because of Croydon High’s extensive resources and facilities, knowledgeable staff and talented students. Musical recitals, story props, Blue Bot demonstrations, printing, soft play, sensory play, water play, toddlers can enjoy all of this whilst nibbling on fruit; they can have their homemade cake and eat it! Toddlers can give ‘Elmer’ a makeover, go on a bear hunt, hop on a train with ‘Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs’, cheer on ‘The Gingerbread Man’, trek across the savannah with ‘Handa’s Surprise’. Our creativity knows no bounds. Thank you, Croydon High, you have made the impossible… possible at Little Ivy’s Stay and Play!

Footnote – Fun Fridays is a lunch club which runs from 11:15am-12:45pm and includes activities, a lunchtime sandwich, cake, fruit and a biscuit for toddlers and carers – all for a total cost of £5.

Mrs Reeves