BUMPS AND BABIES
Playgroup sows the seeds of kindness
A much-loved grandfather was the inspiration for an intergenerational playgroup which is based in two nursing homes. Alfie’s Acorns is named after founder Laura Clout’s late grandfather Alfred Davis. Laura explained:“He spent his last months at Rockdale Nursing Home in Sevenoaks and I watched the way the residents lit up when my youngest two boys would visit him every week, and was inspired to look for a venue for an intergenerational playgroup.” She set up the group two years ago and it ran in Borough Green until earlier this year, when it moved to Lavender Fields in Seal near Sevenoaks, every Monday from 10-12noon. Laura’s sister Gemma co-runs
the group there and they bring their two youngest children along. Danielle Gostling runs another branch of the group from 10-12noon every Tuesday at Gloucester House Care Home in central Sevenoaks. At both groups, which are free, parents or carers bring their children for singing and crafts. The residents can come and go as they please, often joining in with the activities alongside the kids. She adds: “At Lavender Fields I also bring along some Year 3 pupils from St Lawrence School in Stone Street every other week to play board games with the residents. This fosters a different sort of interaction to that between the residents and toddlers, and all parties really enjoy it.” Alfie’s Acorns meets at Lavender Fields Care Home, High Street Seal, Sevenoaks, TN15 0AE on Mondays 10 -12noon and Gloucester House, Lansdowne Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3XU on Tuesdays 10-12noon. Any age children are welcome. The groups normally meet in school holidays unless otherwise stated on the Facebook page Alfie’s Acorns (Intergenerational Playgroup) so please check the page before setting out.
You can also contact Laura on lauraclout@yahoo.co.uk
Parents’ guide to play cafes and play centres for Tinies
Getting out and about with babies and toddlers can be very difficult but worth the effort for mum and child. Here are a selection of simple, lower cost venues to suit all budgets. Please do check details on websites ahead of setting out to avoid disappointment.
Cafes with play areas
The Coffee Beam cafe at Pegasus Gymnastics Maidstone www.facebook.com/The Coffee Beam 01622 688719 The Little Play Café, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells (extra activities at different times, some paid, see website) www.thelittleplaycafe.co.uk Alice’s Tea Shop, Sevenoaks (toys and books area) www.alicessevenoaks.co.uk Café at Sencio Leisure Centre, Sevenoaks (small playframe and ballpool) www.sencio.org.uk NEW Babycino café Tunbridge Wells (play area) www.babycinocafe.co.uk Café at Hope Church, Sevenoaks. For preschool parents, every Tuesday 9.30-12noon plus Kent Baby Matters breastfeeding support session and meet up (Kent Sling Library) on Friday mornings 9.30-11.30am. www.hopechurch7oaks.org Baby Cafe, Tunbridge Wells (NCT) term times only Mondays 10am to 12noon at Manna Cafe, Christ Church www.thebabycafe.org
Play centres
Hartfield Early Education Sevenoaks (entry fee, booking may be required) www.hartfield.org.uk Soft Play Café at Sevenoaks Rugby Club (small entry fee) www.thesoftplaycafe.co.uk The Little Play Café, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells (see above) Pre School Bounce soft play at Angel Centre, Tonbridge (entry fee) http://www.tmactive.co.uk/ juniors/soft-play Larkabout Soft Play at Larkfield Leisure Centre, Aylesford (entry fee) www.tmactive.co.uk/juniors/ soft-play Soft Play centre at Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre (entry fee) www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/ tunbridge-wells-sports-centre Polar Adventure Play Centre at Maidstone Leisure Centre with 4 Families West Kent January/February 2019
Under 5s area (entry fee) www.maidstoneleisure.com Soft play/inflatables sessions for toddlers at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre (paid sessions) www.sencio.org.uk Free soft play on Fridays at Tunbridge Wells Library (term-time only) 11am -12noon. Visit Facebook page Tunbridge Wells Libraries
Library fun:
Free activities in local libraries can get you through a rainy morning with a baby or pre-schooler! Check out the Facebook pages for the posts about regular sessions such as Bounce and Rhyme sessions and special events.
Meet Up Groups
Mummy Meet up Kent A mummy and child meet up group that offers a weekly schedule of meet ups at different venues across west Kent. www.mummymeetupkent.co.uk Email mummymeetupkent@ outlook.com NCT groups for your area Find on Facebook or look up on the NCT website, for coffee mornings, events, lunches, walks, sales and social events. www.nct.org.uk
Self care
Nourished Mums This Facebook community was created to encourage mums to remember to care for themselves. It’s a free-to-join group full of tools and tips for realistic self-care, a resilient mindset and effective stress reduction, as well as the support of hundreds of other mums. Search “Nourished Mums” on Facebook to join. Set up by Silke Thistlewood of The Massage Practice in Tonbridge. www.familiesonline.co.uk
