Beech Street Play Group FAQs

🌟 What Makes a RIE-Inspired Play Group Different?

At its core, a RIE-style play group is a space that nurtures both the developing child and the evolving parent. It’s not just about play—it’s about growing into the kind of caregiver you want to be, and giving your child space to grow into who they already are.

These groups are different from traditional classes because:

• We’re not deciding how a child should play—we’re watching how they already do.

• We’re not offering entertainment—we’re offering presence.

• We’re not asking children to perform—we’re affirming their worth just as they are.

By slowing down and practicing observation, we communicate something powerful: You don’t have to earn my attention. I’m already here.

This kind of attuned, available presence helps build confidence, trust, and secure attachment. Even very young babies sense that they are being seen and respected—not just soothed or managed.

Sitting quietly and watching without stepping in can feel strange at first. But we’ll do it together, and in doing so, you’ll get to see all that your child is capable of—often more than you imagined.

Beech Street Play Groups are designed to be a refuge and a resource: A place where children can move freely and connect naturally, and where adults can grow in confidence, clarity, and community.

📘 Orientation Guide

Before your first play group session, you’ll receive a Beech Street Orientation Guide—a short but meaningful resource designed to help you feel at ease in the space.

This guide includes:

• What to expect during class (structure, flow, and tone)

• How to prepare your child (and yourself!)

• Our approach to observation-based, respectful caregiving

• Tips for dressing and what to bring

• Ground rules and shared agreements

• Answers to common first-time questions

Whether you’re new to RIE or already steeped in respectful caregiving, the guide will help you feel aligned with the values and rhythms of our group. Returning families often appreciate rereading it as a gentle refresher.

You’ll receive the guide via email a few days before your first class. If you have any questions after reviewing it, I’m always happy to chat.

👩🏾 Can I Bring a Guest?

Yes! Guests are welcome, especially if it helps you attend or builds your child’s caregiving village. Just make sure your guest understands a few of our group agreements:

• We don’t ask children’s ages.

• We let the children explore the space freely—please avoid modeling play.

• We keep the environment calm and observe rather than direct.

You're welcome to share your guest's name in advance, or just introduce them when you arrive!

🎂 Why Don’t You Ask the Children’s Ages?

We intentionally avoid age-based comparisons to honor each child’s unique developmental timeline. Children flourish when they’re allowed to unfold at their own pace—without the pressure of competition or assumptions based on age.

🌱 What’s the Flow of Class?

Each group follows a familiar, calming rhythm:

1. Warm In – We remove shoes and arrive gently, giving children time to take in the space.

2. Check-In Question – A thoughtful, shared prompt to help us connect as adults and let children hear our voices in the space. You can always skip this, but I like giving space for all the voices in the room.

3. Quiet Observation Period – A time to watch and delight in the children’s play. You’re welcome to smile, nod, and meet needs, but we avoid directing or narrating their actions.

4. Open-Ended Conversation – After some concerted time to observe, the class opens up to a general conversation and shared noticings from the observation period—any questions coming up, celebrations and challenges, etc.

5. Snack (Toddler Groups) – Bananas and water are offered. In the beginning, you’ll help your child stay seated at the table while they are eating (they definitely don’t have to come or eat at all). Over time, we support children in setting up and managing snack more independently.

6. Clean Up – Five minutes before the end of class, I bring out bags and ask that the community helps clean up the play objects. As adults model this shared clean-up process, children usually opt into helping.

🧦 What Should We Wear?

“Less is best,” as we say in the field!

• Babies and toddlers benefit from free, unrestricted movement.

• Please avoid slippery socks, stiff jeans, or long dresses that inhibit crawling.

• Bare feet are great for traction. If needed, choose grippy socks, but if you’re comfortable letting your child go barefoot, that is preferable.

• For pre-crawlers, no pants can actually support rolling and crawling development.

• Accessories like pacifiers, hair clips, and bows can be very compelling to other children—consider leaving them out of the play space if possible.

Adults: You’ll be on the floor, so comfortable clothes are encouraged. Folding chairs are available and you’re always welcome to request one. :)

👜 What Should I Bring?

Bring anything you'd normally need to be out in the world with your child. A few specific tips:

• Pre-mobile infants: Please bring a blanket from home that smells like you to ease the transition from arms to floor.

• Feeding: I have feeding pillows available, but bring your own if you prefer.

• Diapering/Toileting: Come prepared to meet your child’s needs as they arise. There is a small potty and toilet seat insert in the bathroom.

• Snacks: For older toddlers, bananas and water are provided—please don’t bring outside snacks into the play space.

🔁 What’s the Approach to Infant Positioning?

We follow the RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) approach to natural motor development. In our groups:

• Infants are placed on their backs when not being actively cared for or held.

• We trust that when they are ready, they will roll or move into other positions.

• We avoid placing babies on their tummies or propping them to sit before they can do it themselves.

This helps children feel safe, capable, and in control of their own bodies—we don’t want them to feel immobilized or unsafe to move.

👨‍👨‍👧 Can Multiple Parents or Caregivers Come?

Absolutely. Both are welcome at any time! We love when families can share in this experience together. No need to tell me in advance, though do add them to the email thread if they want to be included in the group correspondence.

🩺 Illness Policy

To maintain a safe and healthy environment for all families, we ask that you please keep your child home if they are showing signs of illness. Many of the children in our play groups are in the earliest stages of life and may be more vulnerable to infections.

When in doubt, please err on the side of caution—we’ll be glad to welcome you back when everyone is feeling better.

🚫 Please Stay Home If:

• Your child has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher within the past 24 hours.

• They have vomited or had diarrhea within the past 24 hours (even just once).

• They have a persistent, productive cough or are too uncomfortable to play.

• They have unexplained rashes, especially if spreading, oozing, or accompanied by a fever.

• They have eye discharge (thick, yellow, or green) or pink eye that hasn't been treated for 24 hours.

• They have been diagnosed with a contagious illness (e.g., RSV, flu, strep, hand-foot-mouth, COVID-19) and have not yet completed the recommended exclusion period or are still symptomatic.

✅ You’re Likely Good to Come If:

• Your child has a clear runny nose but is otherwise energetic, well-rested, and playful.

• They are recovering from a past illness and have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.

• You’ve checked in with your pediatrician and received the green light to attend.

💛 A Note on Respect and Community

We trust you to make thoughtful decisions with the group in mind. Please reach out if you're unsure—I’m always happy to help you think it through.

If your child becomes unwell during class, I may gently ask you to head home early to rest and recover.
Your care and caution help protect everyone, and we deeply appreciate it.

💸 Refunds, Returns, & Missed Classes

Beech Street Parenting is a tiny, one-person business, and I pour a lot of care and intention into each cohort I run. I’ve been facilitating these play groups for several years, and I take your family’s experience seriously.

That said, I also know that life with little ones is full of the unexpected.

Refunds:

While I don’t offer blanket refunds or a trial period, I always want families to feel good about the space. If something truly isn’t working for you, please reach out. I will consider individual refunds on a case-by-case basis.
Please note that it’s much harder to add new families mid-cohort, so last-minute withdrawals do have an impact on the group. Still, I want to hear from you if you’re struggling.

Missed Classes:

I do not offer make-up sessions. Our play groups are intentionally built as closed cohorts, meaning the same families attend each week.
This consistency helps children gain trust, settle in, and build relationships. While I completely understand wanting to make up missed time, keeping the group steady is part of the magic.

Thank you so much for supporting this small, community-rooted work.

⚖️ Sliding Scale Pricing

I offer a sliding scale to help make Beech Street Play Groups more accessible to families with varying financial circumstances.
If full-price registration feels out of reach, you are warmly invited to use one of the following codes at checkout:

• SLIDE5 for 5% off

• SLIDE15 for 15% off

• SLIDE25 for 25% off

• SLIDE35 for 35% off

You can use whichever code makes your participation feel possible—no explanation needed. I trust you to choose the discount that aligns with your current situation.

If these options still don’t work for your family, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll do my best to make something work.
Equity and accessibility are at the heart of this work, and I want these groups to reflect a truly diverse parenting community.

❓Still Have Questions?

You can reach out anytime—I'd love to hear from you! Please email me, Courtney Dern, at beechstreetparenting@gmail.com

I am an infant and toddler expert, experienced group facilitator, parenting coach, and mother. My full bio is available here.