The Toy Library was a joint project between Sure Start and Early Years.

What is a toy library?

A toy library lends toys to children to play with at home. It gives your children the chance to try a wide range of good quality toys. It also gives you the opportunity to borrow toys which you may not be able to find in the shops or toys which are very expensive. All this helps when you are thinking about what to buy your child for birthdays and Christmas.

We are a mobile toy library service and we visit parent and toddler groups, Ryde Library and other groups in Ryde and Island wide. You can use the Toy Library by going to any one of these groups. To find out when the Toy Library is in your area please ask for a Toy Library schedule (available from the SureStart Shop and other venues).

How does it work?

If you are a parent of (or look after) a child under five years of age you can become a Toy Library Member. Each child can borrow two toys for a four week period. A toy can be renewed twice unless another member is asking for the toy and toys can be renewed by phone if you can’t make it to a Toy Library session. Childminders can borrow two toys for each child in their care up to a maximum of 6. Each member will be given a membership card to bring to Toy Library sessions. Please be aware that there will be a charge for toys which are not returned.

What toys do we stock?

The Toy Library stocks toys which help your child to develop their physical, social and imaginative skills. We buy toys which are fun and educational. All the toys are checked for safety. The Toy Library does not stock toys such as weapons or branded toys such as Barbie and Action Man.

Toys include:

• Baby toys such as cot mobiles, activity arches
  
• Activity toys for your active toddler and pre-schoolers such as ride-ons, bath toys, playdough equipment
  
• Pretend toys to stimulate your child’s imagination such as dolls, dressing up, farms
  
• Construction toys such as blocks, Duplo, sticklebricks
  
• Music and audio-visual toys
  
• Sensory toys for children with additional needs
  
• Puzzles and games
  
• Books and story tapes