Welcome to the Portarlington Toy Library. We’re excited to share our library of toys with you.
The online Toy Library is a new initiative of SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre; we are a not-for-profit community organisation, run by a group of volunteer members. We have toys that cater for children between ages of 0 – 6.
How the Portarlington Toy Library works
The Toy Library works on a “Click and Collect” system, and you can exchange toys as you would books at a library.
Cost: $10 per term, or $35 per year (this will include your SpringDale Membership)
To Register and Open an Account:
We suggest that you first read the instructions on how to register and open an account.
Click on the button below and you will be redirected to the instructions.
How to Borrow a Toy
Please look through the categories and choose toys to suit your child and family – up to 4 toys per member, for 3 weeks. Add each toy selected to the ‘Cart’ and proceed to the ‘Checkout’ to complete the process. This will let us know which items you wish to borrow, and we will contact you when the toys are ready to be collected.
Library Open Times
The Portarlington toy library is open on the following das and times.
Tuesdays from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
and
Thursdays from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Our toys are sorted into the following categories:
Request an Extension
If you want to extend the period of time for specific toys use the button below
Toy Care
We’re sure you will take good care of our toys while they’re in your care. Before you return them, and come in to choose your next toys, please give them a thorough clean – according to the instructions. (This is now a DHHS requirement on us opening.)
How to Clean the Toys
Unless otherwise stated, in the specific instructions for your toy, wipe the toy thoroughly with a damp cloth – either with a pH neutral detergent (such as diluted dishwashing detergent), or a 2-in-1 cleaner/disinfectant (most multipurpose sprays available at the supermarket. If using a 2-in-1 multipurpose spray, the solution must be applied to a cloth until it is quite damp. You can use something like an old toothbrush or a cotton bud to get into hard to reach places. A dishwasher on hot wash may be applicable for some toys.
Dry the toy with a tea towel or leave to dry overnight. Please make sure the toy is perfectly dry before returning to it’s bag or box. Do not submerge toys in water, as this may trap water inside them, or (in the case of wooden toys) they can get too wet to effectively dry.
If anyone in your family has been unwell (e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea, respiratory infection), please contact the Toy Library prior to returning the item(s) for further advice.
Special Tips
- Baby Rattles — Do not immerse rattles in water, as they collect water which can lead to harmful bacteria developing. Wipe with surface with a cloth.
- Wooden Toys and Train Sets — Wipe over. Allow time to dry thoroughly. These toys should not be immersed or soaked.
- Outdoor/Sandpit Toys — These must be cleaned well; remember the next child that uses the toy may do so indoors. Remove all sand and dirt and clean well with hot soapy water.
- Duplo/Lego — Wash well with hot soapy water and a toothbrush. Rinse and leave to drain overnight.
- Bath Toys — Please wash after using in the bath, and ensure no water remains trapped inside.
- Outdoor/Sandpit Toys — These must be cleaned well; remember the next child that uses the toy may do so indoors. Remove all sand and dirt and clean well with hot soapy water.
- Board Games and Cardboard Puzzles — Paper-based materials, such as puzzle and games, are not considered a high risk for transmission and do not need additional cleaning or disinfection procedures. Please clean counters and other plastic parts of a toy.
- Fabric Items (Dress-ups/Puppets/Doll’s Bedding/Infant Soft Toys) — Hand wash or gentle machine wash with laundry detergent, and hang items to dry thoroughly.
- Bikes, Scooters and other Ride-Ons — These must be washed, keeping in mind that the next child that uses them could do so indoors.
- Toy Storage Bags & Boxes — Wipe handles and all areas that have been touched, ensuring everything is dry before placing toys inside them again.