Taking Care of the Toys
Washing/Cleaning
Use non-chemical such as vinegar and water.
Rinse thoroughly.
For most effective drying – allow to sun dry.
Get your children to help – give them a bucket, water, cloth, brush, tea towel and let them get wet.
Do a count before and after the cleaning.
Ideas for Keeping Track of the Pieces
Count pieces with the child – making it a game or activity – same colour, size, etc.
Do periodic counts during your borrowing time.
If a piece goes missing, put the toy away until the missing piece is found.
Restrict the area of play for Toy Library toys – eg. only in bedroom, etc.
Don’t take the toy out of the house/yard.
Pack toy away regularly – and do a count.
Don’t take out all the parts such as small pieces.
Have a toy library bag on a hook in the house and when you go to toy library get in the habit of taking this bag with you.eg. a shopping bag – keep all the loose bits in here such as the mesh bag, toy card, little pieces, found pieces, suggestions for purchases or comments, cash for overdue/lost pieces (50c per toy per week or part thereof/$2 per piece refundable upon return).