Frequently Asked Questions
I hope you will find the answers to all your questions below, but if not, please feel free to contact me.
What is Pippin Toys?
Pippin Toys is an innovative Toy Exchange Program AND a Resource Rental Company. Our toy exchange runs as a monthly subscription. There are 4 subscription plans to choose from:
Pippin Baby:
Toy Bags for kids *6-24 months old. They will receive a toy bag of at least 5 developmentally appropriate toys. Packaged neatly for easy management. Included is a ‘Toy Checklist’ to make returning toys a quick and easy experience.
Pippin Kids Premium:
Toy Bags for kids aged *2-6 years old. They will receive a toy pack of at least 5 toys, games or activities monthly. Our pre-loved toys are developmentally appropriate and good quality. A unique pack each month – covering a range of relevant themes
(Eg: Farm Animals, Under the Sea, My Body, Patters, etc.) and learning areas (Early literacy, mathematics, science, life skills, etc.) over the year. Packaged neatly to make looking after each toy easy. Each pack includes a ‘Toy Checklist’ to help keep track of what needs to be returned.
There is a discount for siblings that sign up to this plan as well.
Pippin Kids Budget:
Toy Bags for kids aged *2-6 years old. They will receive a themed pack of at least 4 toys, games or activities monthly. Our pre-loved toys are age-appropriate and good quality. A unique pack each month.Packaged neatly to make looking after each toy easy. Each pack includes a ‘Toy Checklist’ to help keep track of what needs to be returned.
Pippin Sibling-Share:
Toy Bags for siblings aged between *6 months – 6 years old. It’s a themed pack of at least 6 toys, games or activities a month. Our pre-loved toys are educational and in good condition. Each month is a new and exciting pack. We cover a range of relevant themes (Eg: Numbers, In the Garden, Construction, Shapes, etc.) and learning areas (early literacy, science, mathematics, life skills, etc.).
Please note:
Although possible, this program is not really advised for siblings with a large age/developmental gap. Toys are packed according to your children’s developmental level. The smaller the age gap / developmental level the better. Although this Toy Bag is still custom packed, if packed for more than one child, a bag can not be completely developmentally appropriate for ALL children.
Resource Rentals:
Our Resource Rentals vary in cost depending on the item that is being leased and the amount of time you have it for. Amongst other things on offer, we have a selection of readers – from 3 different Reading Schemes (Jolly Phonics, Oxford Reading Tree & Usborne), educational board games and toys.
This is ideal for:
– homeschoolers
– OTs
– holiday fun
– children needing extension
– children needing extra support
How much is a Toy Exchange Membership?
tPippin Baby
Annual = R149 p/m
Semiannual = R165 p/m
Monthly = R179 p/m
Pippin Kids Premium
Annual = R219 p/m
Semiannual = R235 p/m
Monthly = R249 p/m
(Discount for a sibling also signed up to this plan.)
Pippin Kids Budget
Annual = R159 p/m
Semiannual = R175 p/m
Monthly = R189 p/m
Pippin Sibling-Share
Annual = R315 p/m
Semiannual = R300
Monthly = R285
A small travel fee/courier fee may apply for those in outlying areas of the Midlands.
There will be no/a much smaller travel charge if there are enough children (to cover my travel costs) signed up to either Toy Exchange or Resource Rentals in your area. (So tell all your friends 😉
NO TRAVEL COST for those in and around Pietermaritzburg, Howick, Hilton, Dalton, Wartburg & New Hanover.
If you are subscribed to both Toy Exchange and Resource Rentals you will only be charged the travel fee once.
Where can I find a list of all your resources for rent?
I will gladly send you our most recent Resource Rentals List by email. Please get in touch.
How much is it to rent resources?
The resources vary in price and the time you have them affects price too, but we are happy to send you a quote if you email us with what you are looking for and for how long you’ll need it.
Please Note: Your area may affect the total cost due to a small travel charge (at cost) or courier fee if you are in outlying areas of the Midlands. If you subscribe to Toy Exchange AND Resource Rentals you will only be charge the travel cost once.
NO TRAVEL CHARGE applies for New Hanover, Dalton, Wartburg, PMB, Hilton and Howick.
Can you show me some samples of your toys?
Each pack is unique and custom-packed*, but you can see some examples of Toy Bags and our supplies on our social media pages (which can be accessed from the website) and our website (Look under the Toy Exchange tab and then click “read more” under the subscription program you’re interested in.)
*The pack you see in the picture might not be exactly what your child receives, but it will be similar regarding the amount and quality of toys/activities.
What happens if a toy gets broken or lost?
Children will be children and these things will happen every now and then. It is all part of the process for us.
Each incident will be looked at individually, but you will be charged a replacement fee (calculated by the cost of the toy new and the amount of time left until I would’ve replaced it with a new one anyway)
This means it will never be more than the cost of the toy new. The older the toy the cheaper the replacement fee.*
You will be charged the replacement fee for lost toys.
WE DO NOT CHARGE FOR GENERAL WEAR & TEAR.
*Please note: As we have just opened, majority of our toys are brand new so the replacement fee will be high to start with.
(Cost of a brand new toy.)
What ages are your toys and resources for?
Each child is unique so we prefer to work on development level and not on age, but in general:
– Toy Exchange is from +-6 months to +- 6 years.
– Resource Rentals are generally not limited to age.
(There are board games suitable for the whole family, educational toys vary, but suitable for children up to +- 7 years old and readers are dependant on your child’s reading level, but are generally suitable for Foundation Phase learners.)
Do I have to give the toys back?
Yes, but if there is a particular toy that you’d like for longer – please let us know – we can make it happen.
Alternatively, if you’d like to purchase it, where possible, we can sell it to you at a discount. (The discount will be the replacement fee. Please read ‘FAQ: What happens if a toy gets broken or lost’ to find out more about the replacement fee.)
Can I choose the toys in the Toy Exchange Program?
Each toy pack is carefully put together by a qualified Foundation Phase teacher and each toy or activity is specifically chosen based on your child’s development. However, you are welcome to request a particular theme or toy and we will do our best to honour your wishes.