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Family picture courtesy of Mango Pictures
Hello!
And welcome to the Spring issue of Toddle About!
Well the daffodils are blooming and there are green shoots everywhere - at last, Spring has finally arrived. And there’s plenty of ways to be enjoying it with your little ones! As ever, our Daily Activity Planner (from p. 25) lists hundreds of groups and classes that you can attend, and the Toddle About Directory (from p. 41) gives you dozens of fantastic local products and services especially for families with bumps, babies and toddlers. This edition really is packed full of some great articles and features, mostly written by local parents, and we hope you enjoy them. We have a new section for you as well - ‘What’s New’ on pages 4-5 where we keep you up-to-date with new goings on that should interest you. And of course we have our usual mix of activities to try at home, competitions, product and business reviews, interviews and our very own Controversy Corner feature, which this time debates the pros and cons of homeschooling. On p.5 you will find details of a survey we are running to see how we are doing and we hope you will take the chance to complete it for us. As a thank you, we have some great prizes to give away too! Thank you as ever for reading - we hope you enjoy this issue of Toddle About.
Tim & Ruth
PS. Don’t forget! You can subscribe to Toddle About completely for FREE at www.toddleabout.co.uk and we’ll post it to your door every quarter. Contact us on 0845 643 2483, or info@toddleabout.co.uk
4 Shop About 8 Real Nappies 10 Structured Physical Play 11 Choosing a School 12 What’s New?
8,000 copies of Toddle About are distributed every quarter around South, Central & West Northants.
This furry little fella is Charlie! He’s hiding all over the magazine - why not see if your little one can find him while you read? Charlie wants to say a big thank you to Mango Pictures for providing the stunning picture of little Harvey and his lamb for our front cover. New to this edition, he has also been busy adding a S symbol to any advert that has a special offer voucher in the centre pages so you know straight away when you can save some money! And don’t forget! Everything you read in Toddle About and more is available on our website. We hope to see you there: www.toddleabout.co.uk
Contents Susie’s Health Tip YOGA for Children Volunteering A Team Effort Toddle Models
14 Mums Making It 14 Controversy Corner 15 Daily Activity Planner 16 The Directory 18 Reviews
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information in Toddle About is accurate and correct, we cannot guarantee that this is so and neither Toddle About nor Tim Freed can accept any liability for loss, damage or problems arising from any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in content, nor from actions taken by readers based on information or opinions presented in advertisements or throughout the magazine. Images and information supplied by 3rd parties have been accepted in good faith and all liability for any legal transgression including breach of copyright remains with the supplying parties.
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What’s New?
Take a
Acting, Performance & Singing
LoveBallet is expanding its offerings to children in Daventry and surrounding areas by offering new Acting, Performance and Singing classes for 3 – 12 year olds on Tuesdays from 4pm at Nene Hall, The Grange. Acting classes are a fantastic complement to the existing dance classes offered by LoveBallet which include Tap, Ballet, Street, Cheerleading & Gymnastics. Acting develops confidence, and invokes creative minds to challenge and explore. The skills learnt will be with them forever and they will of course be having fun and making friends!
Northamptonshire Easter Dance School
Would your child like to experience new styles of dance and try out lots of different dance genres? If so the Easter Dance School run by LoveBallet Dance Company would be just up their street. It takes place Wednesday 20th April and Thursday 21st April from 10.30am-1.30pm at the Grange Hall in Southam and is open to all ages from 6 years upwards. Only £35.00 for both days. They will have the opportunity to try Body Popping, Acting Performance & Singing, Street Dance, Musical Theatre, Gymnastics, Tap, Modern, Ballet, Jazz and Latin. No specific dance experience is required just come along and join in the fun. On Thursday 21st April we will finish with a short performance to the parents at 1.15pm.
LoveBallet run classes in Daventry, Long Buckby, Southam, Upper Boddington & Middleton Cheney. www.loveballet.co.uk. Free Trial class in centre pages.
Musical Minis Receives Triple Nomination
Musical Minis has been proudly nominated for three categories in the What’s On 4 Little Ones awards: Best National Baby & Toddler Development Activity (newborn to 2 years), Best National Pre-schooler Development Activity (2 to 5 years) and two franchisees for Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s. Musical Minis was founded over 21 years ago by Karen Sherr to fulfil a demand for music to be brought to pre-school children (from birth) so that they could enjoy and participate in music at an early stage of development. Karen herself is a psychologist, former play specialist at Great Ormond Street Hospital and a mother of three. Amanda Perkins runs Musical Minis classes in Grange Park, Weedon, Brackley and Stony Stratford. Free Trial voucher in centre pages. www.musicalminis.co.uk.
New Holistic Massage Clinic
With spring in the air and the days getting longer, our motivation levels naturally rise, paving the way for a good old ‘spring clean’. And, in the age of self-improvement, it’s the perfect time to add ‘yourself’ to the top of your spring cleaning list! Holistic Massage Therapies is expanding its services from April 2011 and will offer a range of new treatments from it’s new clinic at 146 Watling Street East, Towcester NN12 6DB, just above Jackie Oliver’s Estate Agents. During the launch in April 2011 there will be a range of offers from a relaxing massage to more specific treatments such as pregnancy massage, a range of massage treatments for neck and shoulder tension and lower/upper back pain, muscle pains and stress related problems such as depression, anxiety and insomnia. See Annukka’s special offer in centre pages. www.holisticmassage.uk.com.
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What do you want?
We know what we want. We want Toddle About to be a magazine that you love - a resource that puts you in touch with all the things that are going on locally for young families and helps you love life with little ones. And we’d like it to be a good old read too! But there’s only one way we can know if we’re on the right track, and that’s if you tell us! So we have created a short, simple and quick survey for you to complete online. It literally takes 5 minutes and the information you give us will help us to tailor everything we put in Toddle About to make sure it really is what you want.
We know how precious your time is, so as a thank you, we are giving away FORTY fab free gifts! And they’re not shabby little gifts... worth at least £11.99, the first 40 respondents who complete our survey will receive the gift of their choice*! So what are you waiting for? Visit www.toddleabout.co.uk/survey now!
Free Gift for First 40 Responses! Courtesy of Priddy Books, we have 5 sets of their new Lift the Flap Shadow books to give away (Worth £15.98). These really are great books - read our full review on our website.
We also have 35 copies of Vicki Iovine’s bestseller parenting books, The Best Friends’ Guide. Choose between Pregnancy, Babies, Toddlers and Getting Your Life Back.
Take our survey now! Go to www.toddleabout.co.uk/survey The Aqualight Academy
*Titles will go on a first come, first served basis
The Aqualight Babies ethos is simple; Treat babies and children with love, respect and knowledge. They also believe that children’s learning is most effective when they have fun – and this probably explains the recent decision of Aqualight owner Emie Kitson to extend their lessons from babies and toddlers all the way up to 12 year olds with the Aqualight Academy. As she says herself, “It’s a wonderful feeling knowing the older children don’t want to leave and now they don’t have to!” Aqualight runs swimming lessons in Northampton. Visit www.aqualightbabies.co.uk.
Dates For The Diary
Northampton NCT Nearly New Sale Saturday 9th April, 11:15 - 1pm (10:30 start for members) Northampton High School, NN4 6UU
Relax, Explore and Be Nurtured During Your Pregnancy
New Shows Coming to Royal & Derngate CBeebies’ Chris & Pui Show Tues 12 April, 11am & 1:30pm The Gruffalo’s Child Fri 29th Apr - Sun 1st May www.royalandderngate.co.uk
As a birth and postnatal Doula, Claire (a.k.a. Mummies Birth Buddy) has worked with many mothers and their partners in Northamptonshire and the surrounding counties, providing emotional support and empowerment before, during and after labour and birth. Claire loves every minute of what she does and now also offers extra support to new and expecting parents through pregnancy yoga, baby massage and parentcraft classes in Northampton. Claire keeps classes small to create a haven for parents to be able to ask those all important questions and have open discussions with others sharing the same journey. Claire is a recognised Doula with Doula UK and a qualified Birthing Lightly for Yoga teacher with Birthlight. See special offer in centre pages. Visit www.mummiesbirthbuddy.co.uk.
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Baby & Toddler Must-Haves Silver Cross Bedroom Furniture
Silver Cross, Britain’s much-loved pram manufacturer, has recently launched its first ever collection of children’s furniture and bedding. There are three classic styles of furniture – all of which include a cot bed, a wardrobe and a changing unit, which can be bought individually or as a complete nursery suite. The quality, as you would expect, is fantastic. From the beginning of April, you will be able to see the full range in-store at Pink & Blue Baby World on Daventry High Street.
Dinky Dayz Castings Dinky Dayz create beautiful castings of your little one’s tiny hands and feet to tell a timeless tale. They offer a unique, bespoke framing service to display your dinky keepsakes forever. Their framed packages really do make a beautiful and timeless gift. Perfect for the nursery or as a gift for relatives. Contact Della on 07973 213519 or della@dinkydays.co.uk and use the voucher in our centre pages to claim £10 off!
Everything You Need for a Newborn The Mamas & Papas Brand newborn package consists of a Bibi Cot, Foam Mattress, 5 piece bedding set (quilt, bumper, fleece blanket, fitted and flat sheet) with Zoom pushchair (forward and parent facing seat unit) and carrycot with rain covers. Pink & Blue Baby World are currently offering this bundle as a Spring Saver Offer - for just £399 (saving of £350). Buy in-store on High Street, Daventry and don’t forget your 10% off voucher in centre pages. www.pinkandbluebabyworld. co.uk
Kooch Newborn Gift Bundle Brand new designer label Kooch have taken a selection of their favourite newborn items and bundled them together in themed gift boxes for new parents to cherish. The collections include body suits, rompasuits, tees, teddies and more - or you can choose your own items to create your own perfect package. The beautiful fabric labels for each gift bundle are hand made and personalised to your requirements as a keepsake. All Kooch baby clothing is 100% supersoft cotton and they also have a special 100% organic product box complete with organic packaging as a tempting treat! Prices start from £24.95 available at www.kooch.co.uk. 10% discount voucher in centre pages.
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All prices shown are accurate at time of going to print, but are subject to change.
PlanToys® - Ethical, safe and educational toys
PlanToys® is a carbon neutral company that is proving it’s possible to create beautiful wooden toys of superior quality and safety standards whilst also following a path of environmental and social responsibility. They are committed to maintaining the highest standard of ethics while creating innovative educational toys for every developmental stage of childhood. The toys are made from non-toxic, natural materials such as organic rubberwood and enable children to play, learn and become closer to nature. They inspire children’s imagination as well as promoting their physical and intellectual development. Prices range from £8.50 to a lot more. Visit Shirelings Toyshop at the Heart of the Shires Shopping Village near Weedon and don’t forget your 10% discount voucher in the centre pages. www.shirelingstoys.co.uk.
Littlelife Toddler Daysacks with Parent Rein The Toddler Daysack is a cute bag for kids with a whole lot of practicality hidden in it’s stylish little design. Not only is there enough room in each pack to hold nappies, snacks, wipes and those beloved toys that you can’t leave home without, but each toddler daysack has an extremely simple but useful addition to it - a removable safety rein. This attaches to the top of the pack so that parents can keep their child close-by whenever necessary, and when not in use, the rein can be stowed away inside the pack. Buy for £13.99 (cheaper than Amazon!) from Pink & Blue Baby World on the High Street, Daventry. www.pinkandbluebabyworld.co.uk. 10% off voucher.
A Very Handy Birthday Gift Did you know that Phoenix Traders sell more than just cards? Well they do - and the quality we have come to expect from their cards is reflected in everything they sell. Phoenix is a great one-stop-shop for children’s birthdays. This height chart makes a lovely gift and you can even order your card and gift wrap at the same time! For height chart, card and gift wrap it costs just £8.50 at www. phoenix-trading.eu/web/ charlotte Plus, Charlotte offers free P&P on all first orders. Bargain! See special offer in centre pages for how to claim a free card.
Named and Framed Named and Framed create a beautiful hand-made gift with gold-embossed letters of your child’s name. The letters are then hand painted, mounted and framed to make the perfect present for newborns, christenings and birthdays. With a choice of mounts and frames, names can be 3 to 9 letters long and an engraved brass plaque is available as an optional extra. A name of 3-5 letters costs just £29.49 and 6-9 letters is £34.49. Visit www.named-and-framed.com and get a massive 15% off with the voucher in our centre pages.
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Nappies that won’t cost the Earth By the time your baby is potty trained, he or she could have used as many as 4000 disposable nappies. Most nappies are made from plastic, which does not rot down; in fact, the first disposable nappies that were ever used, decades ago, will still be sitting in a landfill site today. The UK throws away 3 billion nappies every year, but there is an alternative that is not only good for the environment, but good for your pocket too. Using ‘real’ nappies instead of disposables can
reduce your household’s global warming impact by up to 40% and save you over £500 per child. Real nappies last for years so you can achieve further savings by using them again as your family grows. And, if you are a Northamptonshire resident, when you spend £60 or more on real nappies (new or second hand), Northamptonshire County Council will give you £25 cashback (call 01604 237440 for more information). Finally, once you’re finished with the nappies you could even make some money back by selling them! There are numerous websites for buying and selling second hand real nappies.
Dispelling the Myths
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The cost of washing real nappies does NOT wipe out the savings made. Extra washing comes to a surprisingly small sum of just £1 per week. You don’t need to sterilise, scrub or soak them. Liners can be used for ease and cleanliness. You don’t need to boil wash them (40 or 60 degrees is recommended). You don’t need to fold them. Modern real nappies are already shaped, much like disposable nappies and the pins have been replaced with Velcro, poppers or plastic grip fastenings. They’re not ugly - modern nappies come in a variety of different fabrics and fun, colourful designs.
For more information, please visit www.goreal.org.uk
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By Charlotte Bedford
The Springboard to Child Confidence It probably won’t surprise you to find out that exercise is vital to the healthy development of children – research clearly shows that children can gain health benefits simply by becoming a little more active. But it’s interesting to note that the greatest benefits come from taking part in planned and structured exercise. Structured physical activity encourages children to enjoy the challenges of developing new skills and gives them the chance to experience the satisfaction of success. It is wonderful to watch their self-confidence grow as result of this, and it was this that motivated the then coach of the British Olympic Gymnastics team, Bill Cosgrave, to found Tumble Tots more than 30 years ago. Bill developed a progressive system, where we use brightly coloured equipment such as bars, trestles, balance boards, ladders, balls and hoops to encourage all aspects of physical motor education including ball handling, locomotive skill development, rhythms, manipulative skills etc. Careful study of child behaviour during their formative years shows us that children have different physical skill levels, behaviour and emotions at different ages, and structured programmes like Tumble Tots are perfectly placed to tailor their sessions to the changing stages of a child’s life. This ensures that whilst a child is challenged by the classes, they are not overstretched, or driven to do things beyond their ability level which could damage their self esteem. For the same reason, Mum or Dad (or other carer) are encouraged to accompany their child through Tumble Tots classes up to their third birthday, after which they are typically confident and independent enough to go through the sessions unaccompanied. Children
Give it a go at home!
You don’t have to wait for the next Tumble Tots session to see your child’s confidence grow through physical activity! Here are some really simple activities to try at home:
Balancing
Balance a bean bag or soft toy on different body parts and see how many different places you can find to balance them.
Role Play
“Let’s Pretend” is always great for kids and parents alike. Pretend to be different animals for new physical experiences -you could be a kangaroo and bounce around or be a horse and gallop!
Catch
Using a ball or balloon, see how many times you can throw it in the air before you drop it. A great way to practise counting too.
How Many Ways?
See how many different ways you can jump. Maybe you can try straight jumps, star jumps, forwards and backwards or hopping! Are there any more ways you can you find? in this age group start to learn listening skills and how to follow instructions, in addition to tackling more difficult tasks. By incorporating actions songs and rhymes, our programme also helps with children’s language development. All young children will grow and learn best without the fear of criticism, so we foster a positive, loving and non-judgemental environment at Tumble
Tots and this is something we encourage all parents to try to do at home (though we know it can be difficult at times!) A child that has the freedom to learn from experience without the worry of judgement is one who will try new things with enthusiasm, and will keep trying till they succeed. It is this success upon success that builds confidence and the element of fun keeps them coming back for more!
To find a Tumble Tots class near you, call Naomi on 01327 300807 or visit www.tumbletots.com. See advert on p. 25
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by Jaqui Bursnall
How To Choose The Right School
Choosing the right nursery and school for your child is one of the most important decisions you have to make in setting your children on the right path in life. Although this can seem very daunting, it is good to start shopping for schools before your child is due to start nursery. There are three steps I recommend to finding a nursery or school to suit your child’s individual needs: 1. Gather information from each school’s website, prospectus and Ofsted report 2. Visit your favourite nurseries and schools 3. Speak to other families currently at the nursery or school
Top 8 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Nursery or School 1. Friends It is very beneficial to a child’s confidence when starting school, to know some of their friends from nursery. When visiting a nursery ask which schools their children feed onto. If a nursery is part of, or has close ties to, a school then it will be more able to prepare your child for starting at that school. 2. Personal Development It is important to find a nursery that focuses on the whole child’s development to build happy, confident, well rounded individuals. Ask how they cater for the individual needs of each child, from those requiring remedial assistance, to satisfying the needs of the talented child, and also find out what extra, co-curricular activities they can offer. 3. Class Sizes A smaller nursery class of 14 to 17 children will give your child far greater individual attention, helping to build their confidence and enjoyment of learning and giving them a head start at school. 4. Manners and Discipline Even if your child does not have discipline problems, disruptive peers could take away from your child’s valuable learning time. Look for a clear policy on discipline that highly values good manners and encourages mutual respect and self control.
5. Morning and After School Care Holiday clubs and after school care varies enormously, so ask for details and check flexibility; for example what if you got held up at work? Many private nurseries offer longer day care for preschoolers, but again check if this costs extra. 6. Atmosphere Happy children enjoy learning. When visiting a school it is hard to measure the feeling you get in a ‘happy, caring atmosphere’, but you’ll know it when you get it! Look to see if the children are enjoying their lessons and engaging with the teacher. 7. Facilities Although great facilities do not necessarily make a great school, they do enable a school to offer an extensive range of activities. Nurseries which are part of a school have the advantage of being able to share these facilities. 8. Arts, Music and Drama The best schools aim to achieve high academic standards whilst addressing other forms of education, and are not merely exam factories. Make sure your school will give your child the chance to discover the joys and benefits of sport, art, music and drama and that their approach is inclusive to children of all skill levels.
But don’t forget to ask other parents for their opinion! Here is a small selection of the feedback we have received from parents whose children come to Beachborough School and Nursery: “We liked the way Beachborough’s nursery and school focuses on the whole child, building happy, confident, well rounded individuals, whilst still achieving high academic standards.”
“The nursery children have access to the school’s fantastic facilities too; Forest School, computers, indoor sports hall, extensive sports grounds, farm, playing in the stunning grounds to name a few.”
“We were pleased to find a school which still highly values good manners and the wonderfully happy, caring atmosphere, naturally encouraged our children to enjoy being just that ........... children!”
Jaqui Bursnall works at Beachborough School and her chiildren go there too. To find out more about Beachborough nursery and school, you can attend their open day on Friday 6th May. See advert on p. 46
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Susie’s Health Tip As a mum to a 3 year old, Susie Burgess has firsthand experience of neck and shoulder tension. As an Osteopath and Pilates teacher, she helps patients with all sorts of conditions, including neck pain and headaches. Consider for a moment how much of your day is spent with your arms out in front of you. This raises tension in your shoulders and can cause pain and sometimes headaches.
YOGA for Children
Pat The Smelly Dog!
No, not a Tourettic outburst – just a way to remember this simple stretch which could help ease shoulder and neck tension! Reach down with one arm to the side of you, as if patting a large dog on the head, pushing the heal of your hand downwards. Now lean your head away to the other side, taking your ear to the opposite shoulder. Hold for the stretch for 10 seconds and repeat the other side. Remember, if you are in pain, seek professional advice. Things usually get better quicker when they are dealt with promptly. Susie Burgess runs BackatEase osteopathy and pilates sessions. For more info, contact her on 07880 750258. See advert on p. 45.
Just what the doctor ordered?
With busy parents, school work, music lessons, video games, competitive sports and the like, modern children are under an incredible amount of pressure for their tender years, and most do not yet have the life experiences or maturity to develop effective coping strategies. Yoga has been hitting the headlines in recent months as the possible answer. In the Guardian earlier this year, Oliver James suggested that yoga classes should be available on the NHS, or be made compulsory as part of the school curriculum due to the health benefits
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by Reanne Marshall
that have been documented with its practise. A recent paper (Birdee, et al., 2009), containing the results of 34 studies between 1979 and 2008, has shown that yoga has particular benefits for children. The health benefits of yoga are well documented: physically, it increases flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness, whilst mentally, yoga at an early age encourages self-esteem through a physical activity that is non-competitive. Children who practise yoga often report that they sleep better and are less anxious, and yoga has also been shown to improve children’s concentration as well as the quality of their relationships, with less conflict being reported. It may be these benefits that underpin yoga’s effects in improving the behaviour of children with
ADHD, and reducing stress levels. And it’s not just the children that benefit! Their parents report feeling happier and less stressed too. In fact, yoga during pregnancy leads to easier births. Breathing techniques help the mother deal with the pain of labour and the increased strength allows her to cope with the huge physical demands during the birthing process. In addition to this, the relaxation techniques employed result in the mother secreting less cortisol (a hormone that is
Making Friends and Helping Others Your local NCT (National Childbirth Trust) branch has spaces for new volunteers! The NCT provides invaluable support to over a million new parents every year through pregnancy, birth and the early days of parenthood. It provides a network of friends and professionals who are
By Sian Mander
membership coordinator, parent support coordinator, newsletter editor, fundraising coordinator. Many others run bumps and babies groups, host open houses, deliver newsletters, help at nearly new sales and do no end of other tasks where a few hours of time
Your local NCT branch offers new & expectant parents: Ante-Natal Courses; Postnatal Courses; Bump, Babies & Toddler Groups; Nearly New Sales; Cheeky Monkeys Tea Parties; Breastfeeding Support; Mums’ and Dads’ Evenings; A Local Newsletter; Host Open Houses there to help you through the ups and downs of becoming a parent. Our local branches are in Towcester, Northampton and Daventry and the volunteers who organise branch activities are the backbone of the NCT. Throughout the country there are about 4,000 volunteers who hold positions such as branch chair, treasurer,
can make such a difference. All of our local NCT branches currently have vacancies for volunteers to get involved, no matter how much time you would like to commit. To find out more, you can contact them on: Daventry: 0844 243 6102 Towcester: 0844 243 6299 Northampton: 0844 243 6230
produced in response to stress). Cortisol passes through the placenta to the foetus, and lowering its levels is beneficial because it leads to a decreased risk of aggressive children or those with ADHD. With so many benefits for us all, and as a skill that children can take into adulthood, I’m inclined to agree with Oliver James - perhaps yoga should be taught as part of the curriculum as it would surely improve the health of the next generation. Reanne Marshall runs yoga-inpired activity sessions for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years called Tatty Bumpkin. If you fancy introducing your child to the benefits of yoga, contact Reanne for more info on 0845 6804981. See advert on page 36 and her feel trial offer in the Toddle About centre pages.
5 Reasons to Volunteer
1) Learn a new skill. From graphic design to budgeting and management, you can try something new. 2) Meet new people. As modern life and technology create a more atomised society, it helps you connect with your community and make friends. 3) Feel good factor. Volunteer work is, well, voluntary, and the sense of achievement from a challenge undertaken willingly makes you feel great. 4) Improve job prospects Research has shown that employers view volunteer work favourably and it helps you stand out. 5) Sets an example You want your children to have a fulfilling life? Show them how! 6) Give Back The obvious one- you are helping others and spreading happiness.
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by Christophe Becquereau
W
hen we opened the Maple Tree Clinic six months ago, we all had a vision. Practitioners of sixteen different health disciplines, we all decided to work together under the same roof to create a new multidisciplinary clinic that was somewhat different to our existing practices. We brought our skills, our reputation, our expertise and motivation to open a clinic where all our patients would feel safe, relaxed and treated to a high standard by skilled practitioners. We aimed to make this clinic a key part of Northampton’s complementary and alternative health scene.
We did have few teething difficulties at the beginning, but now six months down the road we are happy with what we have achieved and where we are headed. As hoped, having such a variety of disciplines in one clinic allows us the unique ability to take regular breaks during the day to keep in touch and exchange knowledge and guidance to provide all our clients with a little extra during their treatment. And when a client needs treatment from another discipline at the clinic, we can communicate to one another our notes, findings, diagnoses or suspicions (with the patient’s consent) which tends to speed up their recovery and cut costs down. If you are interested in finding out more about how we can help, we plan to start running regular open evenings so that anyone can meet the team and ask any medical question they have of us. We hope to have set a date for the first open evening by the beginning of April – for more information please check www.themapletreeclinic.com and/or our Facebook page.
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A Team Effort
to treat ailments and improve health in other areas of the body
Homeopathy
A medical system that treats symptoms using infinitesimally small doses of natural substances, which in large doses would cause the same symptoms, to stimulate an individual’s natural immune and defence system
Complementary health comes in many forms - here is a brief glossary of some disciplines we offer:
Hatha Yoga
This is a slow-paced stretching class with some simple breathing exercises and often includes seated meditation. This is a good place to learn basic poses, relaxation techniques, and become comfortable with yoga.
Pilates
Pilates is an extremely popular form of exercise which emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness in order to support efficient, graceful movement.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a hands on, drugfree treatment that treats and strengthens the musculoskeletal framework (joints, muscles and spine). Osteopaths do not simply concentrate on treating the problem area, but use manual techniques to balance all the systems of the body to provide overall good health and wellbeing.
Reflexology
Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure to the feet and hands in a specialised way
Aromatherapy
Uses concentrated essential oils from various plants to improve mood, cognitive function or health. Oils may be administered through massage, inhalation, compresses and baths.
Kinesiology
Focuses on the relationship of muscle strength and energy flow. Applied Kinesiology uses the connection between muscle health and that of circulation and other vital functions to correct imbalances within the body.
Sedona Method
A simple, powerful and easy-tolearn technique that shows you how to uncover your natural ability to let go of any painful or unwanted feeling, belief or thought in the moment to achieve whatever you desire in the areas of wealth & success, peace & happiness, relationships and health & well-being.
Angel Therapy
A nondenominational spiritual healing method that involves working with a person’s guardian angels and archangels, to heal and harmonize every aspect of life.
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Make us smile!
1 We love this competition! And it seems you do too... we have had record numbers of entries this time around with 63 of the cutest, cuddliest, funniest and laugh out loudiest pictures that we’ve ever seen being sent in. Alas, we didn’t have space to print all the entries here though we hope you enjoy the ones we could fit in - you can see all of them at www.toddleabout.co.uk. Our winner this time around is the cheeky but gorgeous Alessia Wilding who squeaked past the post before Keion Grant and Harriet Marshall who won second and third prize respectively. Thanks again to the Style Lounge hair salon in Northampton and Oriflame beauty products for donating such fab prizes. Alessia’s mum Angelina is getting a wonderful treat with a stylish colour and cut plus £50 of beauty products, and Alessia will get her own haircut too! Keion and Harriet’s mums will enjoy some nice pampering too. If you didn’t win, but you would like to sample the Style Lounge treatment, or pamper yourself with some Oriflame beauty products, call Style Lounge on 01604 722224 or visit www.oriflame.co.uk for more info.
Alessia Wilding, 16 weeks
2
Keion Grant, 9 weeks
3 Harriett M 18 month arshall, s
James
Pryer,
Runners Up
4 years
Zara, 14 months
weeks
George
Lister, 2
Rhiannon, 2 ye
ars
Lewis Scott, 1 week
Harry Ba
rnwell
Levi Phoeni x
Cox, 10 wee ks
is, 2yrs
ed Harr
, 21 mth e 0 mths Luckett, 3 Matthew Dunlop, 1 yr s euben R R 18 TillyNeed things to do? Search the Daily Activity Planner from page 25
Fintan Goodfellow, 4m
Drew MacGregor, 9 mths
Alfie Jakeman, 16m & Dad
Alfie Rogi
nson, 6m ths
Daisy Pancoust, 4 yrs
Niamh Perkins, 20 mths
Izzabelle Baker, 4 yrs
Lily How e, 2½ ye
s, 5 yrs
ars
Rhiannon Jone
Ruben
ein, 21 Bodenst
Details on how to enter your child on the next page n, 18 m
Ashton Longma
Harley Kuhn, 8 mths
Jessica Baker, 1 year
Harry Coombs, 3 years Laura Kenn
edy, 5 year s
ths ires, 12 m
Noah Squ
8 mths Layla Willetts,
Summer Towse, 2 yrs
, 7 mths
Brendan & Zane Flynn
David Alexander, 1 yr
ths bins, 18 m
Finley Ro
Honor Blunt, 15 m
Isla Rogers, 16 mths
nths
o Ava, 7 m
Luke Samuel, 8 mths
Alesia Wright, 3 yrs
Evie Wykes
Jake Vaughan Jone s, 3 yrs
d, 1 year
Laila Blan
Luca, 14 months
Isaac Rym
ell, 2 yrs
Penelope, 10
months
Isabel Wiseman, 2 yrs
Yvie, 6 months
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m
WIN LOADS OF COOL STUFF!
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Sponsored by:
p h o t o graphy
Mummies Birth Buddy
We are adding an extra element of fun to the next Toddle Models competition - captions! So... when you submit your picture of your little one this time, we would like you to add a comment that we can use as a caption. It might be a simple description of what the picture is about, but the funnier the better... I can’t wait to see what you send in! As usual, the winners will be chosen by public vote on the Toddle About website, and any new captions submitted with your votes will have a chance of being printed too. Entries should be submitted by email to toddlemodels@toddleabout.co.uk with the name and age of your little one by midnight on Saturday 28th May. Voting will begin for a week from Tuesday 31st May. “But what can we win?” I hear you cry... well, loads of cool stuff, actually! Check it out:
1st Prize: 11week Aqualight Babies Swim Course for 0 - 12 year-olds worth £125. www.aqualightbabies.co.uk 2nd Prize:
Named and Framed
A Fisher Creative Photography ‘Summer Lifestyle Family Photoshoot’, including a 8”x10” picture. Have pictures of all the family captured having fun and looking natural in a gorgeous outdoor location- worth £85. www. fc-photography.co.uk.
3rd Prize:
A babysitter for a night, courtesy of Fairytale Nannies! (For up to 4 hours on any night up till 11pm, valid until 23rd Dec 2011). Worth £47. www. fairytalenannies.co.uk.
4th Prize: A Pregnancy or Therapeutic Massage lasting 1.5 hours, courtesy of Mummies Birth Buddy, worth £45. www.mummiesbirthbuddy.co.uk.
5th Prize: A Mango Pictures photo session with free 12” x 8” print worth £45. www.mango-pictures.co.uk. 6th Prize: Half term for one child at Musical Minis classes in Weedon Bec worth £35.50. www.musicalminis.co.uk.
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7th Prize:
A delightful, handcrafted decorative name, mounted and framed and with an engraved plaque, courtesy of Named and Framed. Worth up to £34.49. www.named-and-framed.com.
8th Prize:
From 1 Off Jewellery, an engraved pendant or keyring with your winning photo in it. Worth £30. www.1offmoments. com.
9th & 10th Prizes:
PixiFoto VIP Gift Experience costing £20 each. This includes 3 x Photographic sittings and a 12”x10” colour portrait at each sitting PLUS 10% off ant portraits purchased at each sitting. Cost £20 each. www.pixifoto.co.uk
11th Prize: TWO free classes for either Tatty Bumpkin or Baby Bumpkin, worth £12. www.miltonkeynes.tattybumpkin.com. 12th Prize: £10 gift voucher towards a massage of your choice from Holistic Massage. www.holisticmassage.uk.com 13th Prize: A boy’s or girl’s height chart worth £6, courtesy of Phoenix Trader Charlotte Gurney. www.phoenixtrading.eu/web/charlotte.
Need things to do? Search the Daily Activity Planner from page 25
Spotlight on Morag Larsen Bringing Kooch to Life
So what’s your story? I moved to Northampton when I was 3 and still live here, now with my partner and two children, Hannah (4) and Hal (2½). I graduated in Product Design and most recently worked designing Children’s Playgrounds for Kompan. Here I learnt an awful lot about designing from a child’s perspective. When I had a baby I suddenly became aware of the limited availability of interesting or unique clothing for children in Northampton and we began to buy most of our baby clothes on-line, brightly coloured and full of bold patterns and prints. As Hannah wore each item the response from people was of surprise and delight at the designs which planted that business seed! Several brainstorming sessions later, we hit on the name Kooch taken from the ‘koochikoo’ phrase.
We get a lot of our inspiration from observing how our own children perceive the world around them; from the attraction
Making it
Success Quotes Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.
Abraham Lincoln Action is the foundational key to all success. Pablo Picasso I don’t know the key to success, but to bright colours to their creative the key to failure is trying to please drawings of everyday things. We everybody. want to recapture the innocence Bill Cosby of childhood by hand drawing I’ve failed over and over and over many of our designs as a refresh- again in my life and that is why I ing change to all the character succeed. licensed clothing popular today. Michael Jordan The idea that parents love an item of clothing, a toy or a canvas If you dream it, you can do it. as much as the child is Walt Disney important to us. Eighty per cent of success is showHow do you juggle ing up. children, house, life Woody Allen
and your business?
With great difficulty! I thought that when my daughter started school in September it would How long did it take? get easier but there The Kooch Stripey Rompa seems to be even more All in all it took us two tasks and activities that years to create a range take up my time. We that we thought was spend most evenings after stories strong enough to showcase at and bedtime working on Kooch some local venues at the end of until we drop! With housework, 2009. The feedback was good work and kids it feels like it never and we sold most of our original stops. items and we then spent another 6 months researching the best Biggest challenges? equipment and developing our Finance, time, other work comonline presence. mitments and tiredness!
What inspires you?
Mums
High Points? The first order felt exhilarating and seeing how good the products looked together at our first exhibition.
Advice for others? Although life will get in the way, you should always keep hold of the following three things: 1. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t achieve what you want to every day. 2. Trust your instincts a little more than other people tell you to. 3. Be honest to family and friends about how you are feeling if you need support.
How can we see and order your products? All our products are available on our website www.kooch.co.uk and we will be exhibiting at various shows throughout the year so keep checking the website or sign up for our updates if you want to come to see Kooch. See advert on p.43.
This is only an excerpt from the full interview with Morag. She has some fantastic advice and there is plenty to learn from her experiences setting up Kooch: read the whole interview at www.toddleabout.co.uk/articles.
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C sy er ov r tr ne on or C
The Home School Debate
Parents often spend a lot of time researching which school to send their children to, but many are not aware that there is a much bigger decision to be made – whether to send their children to school at all. Many people think it is a legal requirement for children to go to school, but this is not so. In fact, in Section 7 of The Education Act 1996, the law states that every child of compulsory school age must receive “efficient full-time education ... at school or otherwise”. It is the ‘or otherwise’ part which gives you the choice to send your children to school or to educate them at home. If you are like most people (us included), your initial reaction will probably be one of instant disregard, yet the arguments for homeschooling are certainly compelling and it seems to me quite logical that one solution to education is unlikely to be right for all children. Here are both sides of the argument to help you make up your own mind.
For Homeschooling... Children can learn when they are interested If a child at school isn’t interested in the subject matter being taught, then they will not be very receptive to learning. And if they are interested, there’s only an hour before the bell goes and cuts them off mid-flow. Force fed learning is not only ineffective, but it turns learning into a chore, beating the natural joy of learning out of children. Home educated children have the time and flexibility to pursue topics that they’re interested in, often resulting in them learning about topics in much greater depth than at school. Children can learn at their own pace In school less able children often lose interest when the subject matter is too hard and more able children get bored if it’s too easy. Home educated children can learn at their own pace, spending more time on things they struggle with and moving on when they understand. School is a factory for passing exams Cramming for tests may result in short term information retention but rarely results in permanent learning. The key question to ask here is, “How well do you think you’d do if you re-sat your GCSEs or A-levels now?” I know my answer to that question, despite earning good grades in my exams. It begs the question, is school really all that effective at educating children after all? Children can have their questions answered At home, children ask a seemingly unending stream
... and Against
School teaches vital social skills If you educate your child at home, you are robbing them of the opportunity to mix with dozens of other children their age which provides a network of friends that are at the same level of development and are interested in the same kinds of things. Not only does this give them the chance to learn how to interact with others, but children who meet at school often become lifelong friends. Good facilities are important Schools receive funding that is spent on books, computers, sports equipment, science equipment and umpteen other things used to stimulate and educate children. A home educating family will typically have to live on at most one salary, so could never have access to same kind of resources as a child who attends school. Training – I couldn’t teach my child! Teachers will have gone through at least 3 years of further education and have spent a further year earning a formal qualification in teaching. Single subject teachers become so knowledgeable in their subject that it gives school children access to experts in every field of learning. A parent with no formal teaching qualifications or no further education makes a poor replacement for real teachers. Parents need to earn a living At a very practical level, school serves the function of free childcare, allowing both parents to go to work and earn a living. School is an invaluable asset in this way for the vast majority of families. In addition to this, many parents would struggle to be with their children 24/7 and the never-ending close proximity would create clashes and arguments. School is preparation for real life. Life is full of difficult people and difficult situations.
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For...
of questions. In school, research has shown that the reality is closer to just 3 per day, and the majority of those questions are functional ones such as ‘Where’s the glue?’ Learning naturally and spontaneously occurs when children’s curiosity questions are answered but with 30 in a class children quickly learn they have to ‘wait their turn’ - and the moment is gone. Learning is meaningful and relevant. Classroom based learning is often abstract and far removed from the real world. Home educated children have the opportunity to learn through doing – the most effective way to learn anything. Maths can be learned by visiting a shop, cooking or calculating measurements for a craft project, for example. Also, by witnessing their parents’ everyday activities and outings, children learn about real life, which is arguably more useful than academic knowledge. Homeschool develops social skills for real life. One of the biggest criticisms of home education is the perceived lack of social development. The reality is that a typical home educated child will learn to interact with people of all ages and walks of life, from the other children they meet up with at home education groups and the clubs they attend to the lady in the post office. Home educated families argue that the school environment is not like real life. No bullies at home Unless you’re a mean parent, there aren’t any bullies –or peer pressure for that matter - at home. The effects of childhood bullying can last a lifetime and by not having their confidence knocked at school, homeschooled children have higher self-esteem making them better able to cope with any bullying they may encounter later in life. No risk of getting a bad teacher Only 18 teachers have been dismissed for incompetence in the last forty years. Rather than conclude that our training system is so fool proof that there are hardly any bad teachers out there, it is probably more accurate to assume that the bad teachers are hard to sack and are still in the system. Children start school too early in the UK In most European countries children start school at 6 and end up with higher academic results in the end. Some experts believe that young children’s brains are not ready for formal academic learning until the age of 7 and they would be better off learning through play until then. Home educating allows children to do this.
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Further reading:
... and Against The work place is not a dissimilar environment to school, where there is someone else telling us what to do and other people to get on with. When our children fly the nest, they need to be equipped with the skills to stand on their own two feet and handle these things. By keeping children at home to protect them from bullies, peer pressure or unwanted authority, homeschooling families are denying them the chance to learn how to deal with real life. School enables us to get a job A prospective employer will always look at the education section on a CV to get an idea of an applicant’s intelligence. Admittedly, homeschooled children can still sit GCSE and A-level exams, but there is no requirement for them to do so. The lack of any formal education – and potentially exam results – would surely have a negative impact on an individual’s job prospects. Team sports, orchestra, choirs etc School is full of clubs and societies children can get involved in. From the football team to the school choir or orchestra, all are activities that require a team of people. These experiences are not only fun, but also fantastic learning opportunities for children to develop team skills. School helps develop independence. Being away from their parents all day gives children the chance to discover who they are and make decisions on their own. It takes away the crutch that a parent can be when they are around and allows children to develop their own independence. It’s fun School isn’t all that bad! Being surrounded by friends all day without your parents breathing down your neck is enjoyable. Play time, art, P.E. - all these things are great fun! School worked fine for me Whilst there is certainly an element of logic to the arguments for home education, we all turned out alright despite it, didn’t we?
How Children Learn, John Holt; Free Range Education, Terri Dowty;
Need things toEducation do? Search the Daily Activity Planner from page 25 Otherwise: www. education-otherwise.org
MONDAYS
Abington
Abington /Kingsthorpe NCT 10:00 -12:00; Members houses; 50p donation Rachel: 01604 403766 or 07867 521411 For bump - 4. Everyone welcome!
Blackthorn Blackthorn Children’s Centre Childminding Group: 9:00 - 11:45 Breastfeeding Group: 13:30 - 16:00
Longmead Court, NN3 8QD; 01604 413504
Cliftonville Active Baby Company Swimming Cripps Recreation Centre, NN1 5BD 9:00 - 10:00 ; prebook 6-wk term Denise - 01604 826066 Swimming classes for 18 mths - 4yrs.
Duston Duston & Villages NCT Group
Various members’ houses for bump - toddler 10:00 - 11:30; 50p; Lucy - 07940 368828
Duston Mums & Tots
Duston Village Hall, Sycamore Rd 9:30 - 11:30; Termtime only
Kidz ‘n’ Co Mums and Tots Group
13:30 - 15:00; Term time only. Harpole Baptist Chapel, nr Turnpike Pub NN7 4DD. Rosemary: 01604 588116; £1 per family Everyone welcome, esp. Duston new build.
Northampton
Duston Library Children’s Centre 10.30 - 11.00: Duston Rhymetime 14:00 - 15:00: Baby Weigh
Hunsbury Pregnancy & Postnatal Pilates Classes
Pendle Road, NN5 6DT; 01604 752891
Far Cotton GymBugs
56 - 58 Rothersthorpe Crescent, NN4 0RY 10:00: 2-3yrs; 11:00: <2s; 13:00 & 14:00: 3-4yrs Tracey: 01604 859412 Enjoy ladders, beams & climbing apparatus
£3.00 (£2.50 with leisure card); 6 mths to 4 yrs
St Mary’s Church, Abbey Road, NN4 8EY 9:15 - 11:00. For 0 - 5s. Termtime only
Pre School Gymnastics: 11:00 - 11:45
£5.50 (£4.95 with leisure card); For 3 - 5s Danes Camp Leisure Ctr, Clannell Rd, NN4 0RX 01604 837200; Term time
Grange Park Musical Minis
The Pavilion, Foxfield Way, NN4 5BE 10:00 - 10:45; £4 (book termly) Amanda Perkins: 01908 259914 Free Trial Offer Voucher in Centre Pages
Northampton Multiples
14:00 - 16:00; Camp Hill Comm Centre, Dayrell Rd, Camp Hill, NN4 9RR Claire: 07587 154104; £5 p/m + £1 per session
Grange Park Community Centre, School Lane 9:30- 11:30; £2.00. Angie - 07816 484851. Free 1st session. Runs all yr.
Hardingstone Cheeky Monkeys
Hardingstone Village Hall, High St, NN4 6DA 9:30 - 11:30; £2; Gwen - 01604 762954 For 0 - 4 years
Headlands Headlands Children’s Centre Parents & Babies Group: 10:00 - 12:00
13:30 - 14:30; The Maple Tree Clinic, 1 Overslade Close, NN4 0RZ Susie Burgess, Back at Ease: 07880 750258 Led by qualified Osteopath & exp. instructor Water Play Session: 8:45 - 10:30 Tots go free; Maximum of two children under 8
Soft Play & Bouncy Castle: 9:15 & 10:00
St Marys Tiddlywinks Group
Grange Park Tots Group
Family Worker Drop In: 13:00 - 15:00 Bushland Road, NN3 2NS; 01604 411440; Free P&B for 0 - 15 mths.
Kings Heath Stay and Play Drop in
Camrose at Kings Heath, 16 Park Sqre, NN5 7LQ 9:30-11:30 (breakfast available) & 13:00 - 15:00 Fri: 9:30 - 11:30; 01604 757694
Kingsthorpe Kingsthorpe Children’s Centre 10:00-11:30: Messy Play 12:30-14:30: H’lth Visitor Drop In
St.Davids Road, NN2 6NS; 01604 791537
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In the Water
Singing & Signing
Physical Fun
Arts & Crafts
For Pregnancy
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Daiily Activity Planner
Northampton Borough Little Signers Club
Kingsthorpe Children’s Centre 10:00 - 11:00: beginners 01604 791537; Please prebook Baby signing fun for you and little one.
Little Billing Active Baby Company Swimming
‘The Venue’, Billing Aquadrome, NN3 9DA 10:00 - 17:30 (10 wks to school age) Denise: 01604 826066; £48 per 6-wk term 30-min swimming classes. Booking essential.
Northampton Centre Mini Springers Parent & Toddler
Springs Family Ctr, Spring Boroughs, NN1 2SN 10:00 - 12:00; Free; Robyn - 01604 630457
Chatterbox
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 147-155 Kettering Road, NN1 4BS 9:30 - 11:15; For 0 - 5s. Termtime only.
Toy Library
United Ref. Church, Abington Ave, NN1 4QA 13:30 - 15:00. Toys available for 6 m-5 years.
Mini Music 9:30 & 10:30 (babies): £1 Healthy Lifestyle Group: 13:00 - 14:30 Little Movers: 15:30 - 16:30 Ante Natal Class: 16:30 - 18:30 Me & My Dad: 18:00 - 19:00 Vernon Terrace Children’s Ctre, NN1 5HE. Free; 01604 633894. Drop in sessions
Semilong Bangladeshi Mums and Tots
Gateway Centre, Mill Rd, NN2 6AX 13:00 - 15:00 ; Free; Kulsuma - 01604 624930
Spencer Camrose Breastfeeding Drop In Group Camrose Sure Start, Streatfield Rd, NN5 7DF
9:00 - 12:00 ; Free; 01604 585219
Spinney Hill Time 2 Play - Messy Play
Parklands Children’s Centre, Spinney Hill Rd 9:15 - 11:00; £1; 01604 642118 1st Tuesday of mth is H/V Drop In
St James St James Parent and Toddler
St. James Com. Centre, St.James Rd, NN5 5LQ 10:00 -12:00 ; £1; Sarah - 01604 456231 Sometimes open during holidays.
The Mounts Mounts Baths Water Playgroup
The Mounts Baths, Upper Mounts 14:00 - 15:30 ; Tots are free; 01604 837400. Max of two children under 8.
Thorplands Thorplands Children’s Centre
9:30 - 11:30: Midwife Drop-in 13:00 - 14:30: Cygnets Tots Group (0 walking) Little Signers Club: 13:00-14:00 19:00-20:30: Dads Football @ N’pton Academy Farm Field Court, NN3 8AQ; 01604 741131
Whitehills St. Mark’s Parent & Tots Group
10:00 - 11:15, St Marks Church Hall, St, Mark’s Crescent, NN2 8EG £1.50 + 20p p/c. For pre-school age Sue - 01604 715342. Term time only.
TUESDAYS
Abington Abington Tots Group
St Gregory’s Church, 22 Park Ave N, NN3 2HS 9:00 - 11:00; £1.00; Sarah - 01604 712347 Crafts, toys, books and puzzles for 0-5s.
Tea & Toast: 9:15 - 10:30 Mini Movers: 14:00 - 14:45
Booking only - Jenny: 07795 081953 Abington Children’s Centre, Christchurch Hall 01604 521175
Blackthorn Blackthorn Children’s Centre,
13:00 - 15:00: Fledglings Play Session (book) 13:00 – 14:30: H/Visitor Clinic. Drop in Longmead Court, NN3 8QD; 01604 413504
East Hunsbury Aqualight Baby Yoga
The Maple Tree Clinic, Overslade Cl, NN4 0RZ 9.00 - 12:00. Emie - 01604 83 04 05 45 min yoga sessions for parent and baby
Hunsbury Rhymetime
Hunsbury Library, Overslade Close, NN4 0RZ 10:30 - 11:00; Free; 01604 702830
Ecton Brook
Creative Crafts - Drop in arts & crafts Ecton Brook Children’s Centre, NN3 5DY 9:30 – 11:00; Free; 01604 409280 Far Cotton Gloucester Parent and Tots Group
Gloucester Nursery, Camborne Cl, NN4 8PH 9:00 - 11:00; Rachael - 01604 762251
GymBugs
56 - 58 Rothersthorpe Crescent, NN4 0RY
28 Search these listings by distance from your house: www.toddleabout.co.uk
Northampton Borough Goldings Rainbows Childminding Group
9:00 - 11:00; Old Barns, The Obelisk Centre
Grange Park Stepping Stones
Grange Park Comm Centre, School Ln, NN4 5FZ 9:15 - 11:00, every 2nd & 4th wk, For 0 - 4s Charlotte:01604 875188. Includes breakfast!
Child Health Clinic
Grange Park Comm Centre, School Ln, NN4 5FZ 9:00 - 11:00, 1st Tues every month Health Visitors - 01604 742420
Kingsley Mums & Tots
St Giles Toddle In
Kingsthorpe Aqualight Swimming
Northampton Central Rhymetime
Kingsley Park Meth. Church, Milton St, NN2 7JF 13:30 - 15:00
10:15 - 10:45; Central Library, Abington Street, NN1 2BA. Free; 01604 4620403
Fairfields School, Trinity Avenue, NN2 6JN 15:30 - 17:30; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim sessions for 0-5s. Prebook!
Young Parents Lunch Club
11:30-14:00, Alliston Gardens Youth and Community Centre, Semilong. 01604 633894 For under 19s, free lunch included
Tuesday Tots - Mums and Tots Group All Saints School, Boughton Green Rd 10:00 - 11:30; £1 + 50p p/c (<9mths free). Stacey: 07917 205544. Term time only.
Active Tots: 10:45 - 11:30 (£1) Yoga & creche: 14:15 - 15:15 Nursery Tea Club: 15:15 - 16:15
Health Visitor Drop In
Vernon Terrace Children’s Centre, NN1 5HE 01604 633894; £1 per family A mini gym session using apparatus
Wallace Road Nursery School, NN2 7EE 9:30-10:30; 1st Tues of mth. 01604 713422
Hardingstone Music Bugs
Hardingstone Village Hall, High St, NN4 6DA 9:45 - 10:25 & 10:45 - 11:25 Fiona - 0844 5781017 to book Fun music sessions: Book a taster session!
Kingsthorpe Children’s Ctre Drop Ins
Headlands Drop In Bump & Baby Health Clinic
Little Billing Active Baby Company Swimming
Headlands Children’s Centre, Bushland Rd 9:30 - 11:15; Free; 01604 411440
Come & Play!
Eastfield Primary School, St Alban’s Cl, NN3 2RJ 10:00 - 11:00; Free; 01604 411440 Play session for pre-schoolers & parents/carers
Family Worker Drop In
11:00 - 12:00; Cedar Road Primary School 01604 411440; Mthly, term time. Confidential.
Come and Play!
Cedar Road Primary School 13:30 - 14:30; 01604 411440 Play Session for preschool children + parents.
Spencer Drop in Family Health Group: 13:00-15:00 Stay & Play: 9:30 - 11:30
9:30 - 11:30: Spectrum (Autism group) 16:00 - 17:30: Double Trouble Twins St.Davids Road, NN2 6NS; 01604 791537
Camrose Children’s Centres, Tenby Rd, NN5 7DF 01604 585219; Advice and baby weighing
Spinney Hill Time 2 Play - Messy Play
‘The Venue’, Billing Aquadrome, NN3 9DA 10:00 - 17:30 (10 wks to school age) Denise: 01604 826066; £48 per 6-wk term 30-min swimming classes, Booking essential.
Parklands Children’s Centre, Spinney Hill Rd 9:15 - 11:00 & 13:30 - 15:00; £1.00 01604 642118; 1st Tues in month is H/V Drop In
Moulton Moulton Rhymetime
St James St. James Rhymetime
Moulton Library, Doves Lane, NN3 14:30-15:15; Free; 01604 646796
Northampton Centre Early Learning Centre Playtime
St James Library, 138 St James Road, NN5 5LQ 10:00 - 11:00; Free - drop in; 01604 762192
ELC, 14 Peacock Place, Abington St, NN1 2DP 9:30 - 11:30; Free; Sharon - 01604 626256 Drop in to play with ELC toys! Restarts in Feb ‘11
THE PERFECT FAMILY TREAT!
St Giles Church Centre, St Giles Terr, NN1 2BN 10:00 - 12:00; 50p/family; Sue - 01604 230360 Termtime only - crafts, play and singing
The Mounts Parent & Tots
Duke St Evangelical Church, 4 Duke St, NN1 3BA 10:15 - 11:30; Free; Moyra - 01604 635535 For 0 - 4s. Termtime only
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Guildhall Rd, Northampton, NN1 1DP
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Physical Fun
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Daily Activity Planner
10:00: 2-3yrs; 11:00, 13:00 & 14:00: 3-4yrs Tracey: 01604 859412 Enjoy ladders, beams, & climbing apparatus
Daiily Activity Planner
Northampton Borough
Thorplands Thorplands Breastfeeding Group
Ecton Brook Tiny Tots Drop In Stay & Play Session
Health Visitor Drop In: 14:00 - 15:30; Male “Whole You”: 11:15 - 12:15: Free Thorplands Children’s Centre, NN3 8AQ 01604 741131; Advice & baby weighing
Far Cotton Far Cotton Rhymetime
Wootton Little Acorns Toddler Group
GymBugs
Farm Field Court, NN3 8AQ 12:30 - 13:30; Free; 01604 741131
Wootton Trinity Church, High Street, Wootton 9:30 - 11:30; £2; For 0-5s, runs all year rachelclarke39@yahoo.co.uk
Little Stars Group
St George the Martyr Church, Church Hill 14:00 - 15:00; Free; Toddler praise service.
WEDNESDAYS
Blackthorn Blackthorn Children’s Centre 13:30-14:00: Music Time (<12m) 14:00-15:00: Music Time (1 – 5yrs) 9:30 - 12:30: Smoking in Pregnancy Longmead Ct, NN3 8QD; 01604 413504
Cliftonville Active Baby Company Swimming
Cripps Recreation Centre, Hospital, NN1 5BD 9:00 - 11:00 & 14:00 - 15:00; 6-week terms. Denise - 01604 826066. Booking essential. 30-min swim lessons for 10 weeks - 5 years.
Duston Stay & Play- Baby: 9:30; Walk-4: 13:30 Duston Library Children’s Centre, Pendle Rd Please drop in; Free; 01604 752891
Ecton Brook Children’s Centre, NN3 5DY 13:30 – 15:00; Free; 01604 409280
Far Cotton Library, Towcester Rd, NN4 8LG 10:30 - 11:00; Free; 01604 762192 56 - 58 Rothersthorpe Crescent, Rothersthorpe Trading Estate, NN4 0RY 10:00: 2-3 yrs; 11:00: 3-4 yrs Tracey: 01604 859412; Enjoy ladders, beams, & climbing apparatus
Grange Park Tumble Tots
Community Centre, School Lane, NN4 5FZ Gymbabes: 9:30: Toddlers; 10:30; 2-3yrs; 11:30; 3yrs+: 13:00 Naomi - 07779 785166 Structured Play for 6m to 5 yrs all year. Book!
Music Bugs
Kairos Centre 9:30 - 10:10; Fiona Bayliss: 0844 5781017 Music session for 0-5s. Book a taster session!
Headlands Healthy Walks - Bring along baby/toddler!
Headlands Children’s Centre, Bushland Rd, NN3 2NS; 13:30 - 15:00; Free; 01604 411440
Hunsbury The Abbey Centre Toddler Group
The Abbey Centre, Overslade Close, NN4 0RZ. 9:30 - 11:30; £2 (1 or 2 children), 50p p/sib Alicia: 07917 752533. Activities & toys!
Water Play Session: 13:15 - 14:45;
Tots are free. Max two children under 8.
Pre School Gymnastics: 11:00 - 11:45
£5.50 (£4.95 with leisure card); For 3 - 5s Soft Play & Bouncy Castle: 9:15 & 10:00 £3.00 (£2.50 with leisure card); 6 m to 4 yrs Danes Camp Leisure Centre, Clannell Rd, NN4 01604 837 200; Term time only.
Kings Heath Stay and Play Drop in
Camrose Sure Start, 16 Park Sqre, NN5 7LQ 13:00 - 15:00; 01604 757694
Kingsthorpe Holy Trinity Church Mums & Tots
10:00 - 11:45; Church Hall, Edinburgh Road
Kingsthorpe Children’s Centre 13:00 - 14:45: Stay & Play Drop-in 14:30 - 16:30: Midwife Drop In
St.Davids Road, NN2 6NS; 01604 791537
Little Billing Active Baby Company Swimming
‘The Venue’, Billing Aquadrome, NN3 9DA 10:00 - 17:30 (10 weeks - school age) Denise: 01604 826066; £48 per 6-wk term 30-min swimming classes. Booking essential. Lodge Farm
Play Sessions for 0-5s
The Barn, Community Ctr, Crestwood Rd 9:30 - 11:30; Free; 01604 785969
Northampton Centre Spring Lane Baby Cafe Drop In
Spring Lane Surestart, Spring Lane, NN1 2JW. 9:30 - 11:30; 01604 620484 or 07795 110109 Free Breastfeeding support drop In group
Chatterbox
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Kettering Rd. 9:30 - 11:15; For 0 - 5s. Termtime only.
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Park Inn, Northampton 9:30 - 11:00; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim sessions for 0-5s. Prebook Messy Play: 15:30 - 16:30; £1 Baby Grow Drop In Group: 14:00 - 16:00; Free Drop in, Drop off and Salsa! 16:00 - 17:00 Vernon Terrace Children’s Ctre, NN1 5HE 01604 633894
Toy Library
United Reformed Church, Abington Ave, Northampton, NN1 4QA; 10:00 - 11:30 A range of toys are available for 6 mths-5 years
Spencer Breastfeeding Group: 9:00-12:00 Stay & Play: 9:30 - 11:30
Camrose Sure Start, Streatfield Rd, NN5 7DF Free; 01604 585219; Breastfeeding support
St James Stay & Play & Mini Music Makers
St James Health Clinic 13:30 - 15:30; Free; Spring Lane-01604 620484 Health advice & baby weighing
Mums ‘n’ Tots
Gospel Hall, Spencer Bridge Road, NN5 7DP 9:30 - 11:00: donations; Gill: 07749 520588 Wide range of toys & singing session at end
Sywell Nature Tots
Sywell Country Park, Washbrook Ln, NN6 0QX 13:30 - 14:30 (3rd Wednesday of Month) 01604 810970; £2.50 - booking essential A parents and tots group with a difference!
The Mounts Mounts Baths Water Playgroup
The Mounts Baths, Upper Mounts, NN1 3DN
Northampton Borough
14:00 - 15:30; Tots are free; 01604 837400 Maximum of two children under 8.
Thorplands Stay & Play
Thorplands Children’s Ctre, Farm Field Ct, NN3 13:00 - 15:00; 01604 741131 Informal group for children under 5 years old.
Upton Talking Point
Mummies Birth Buddy Baby Massage: 9:30 - 11:00 Pregnancy Yoga: 11:15 & 19:15 Postnatal Yoga: 13:30-15:00
Boothville, NN3 6PA Claire: 07966 288236. Booking essential Baby Massage - deepen your bond with baby Pregnancy yoga - from 14 weeks onwards Postnatal yoga - immeadiately after birth
Brackmills Birthing Lightly with Yoga
16 Mill Pond Drive, Upton, NN5 4EW 10:00 - 12:00; Free; Marilyn: 01604 454243 Bump - 8 mths. Meet other new mums!
Image Gym, Brackmills, Northampton, NN4 7EE 19:30 - 21:00. With Mummies Birth Buddy Claire Morrow-Goodman: 07966 288236
Weston Favell Emmanuel Family Tots
Cliftonville Active Baby Company Swimming
Emmanuel Church, Weston Favell Centre. 10:00 - 11:30; £1; Maureen - 01604 402150 Relaxed atmosphere & safe playtime
Tots Group
Cripps Recreation Centre, Hospital, NN1 5BD 9:00 - 12:00; Book as 6-week term Denise - 01604 826066. Booking essential. 30 min swim sessions for 10 wks - 5 years.
Weston Favell Rhymetime
Collingtree Active Baby Company
The Salvation Army, Penistone Road 10:00 - 11:30; Mrs Pitt - 01604 404891 Weston Favell Library, Shop Centre, NN3 8JZ 10:30 - 11:00 fortnightly; Free; 01604 403100
THURSDAYS
Duston St Luke’s Mums & Tots
Abington Active Play
St Luke’s CEVA School, St. Crispins Dr, NN5 4BL 14:00 - 15:15 ; 01604 592008
13:30 - 14:45; Abington Children’s Centre, Abington United Reformed Church. 01604 521175; free
Museum Toddler Craft Session
Hilton Hotel, Collingtree 10:00 - 12:00 (6 mths+) Denise Wesson: 01604 826066 30-min swim classes. Call to book.
Messy Play: 9:30; Story Time: 14:15; Coffee Shop: 13:00 - 14:00
Abington/Northampton Museum (alternates) 13:00 - 15:00, twice monthly; Free Liz or Lucy - 01604 838111
Duston Library Children’s Centre, Pendle Rd 01604 752891; For 0 - 4s; Free Drop ins
Sunbeams Stay & Play
United Reform Church, Main Road 9:30 - 11:30, fortnightly; 01604 752891
Boothville
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In the Water
Singing & Signing
Physical Fun
Arts & Crafts
For Pregnancy
31
Daily Activity Planner
Aqualight Swimming
Daiily Activity Planner
Northampton Borough East Hunsbury East Hunsbury Toddlers
9:30 - 11:00; East Hunsbury Primary School £1.50 per family; For 0 - 4s. Term time only
Ecton Brook Childminders Group: 9:15 – 11:15 Toddler Music: 9:30 & 10:00 Baby Clinic: 13:00 – 15:00 Ecton Brook Children’s Centre, NN3 5DY 01604 409280; All free drop in sessions
Grange Park Talking Point
Maximum of two children under 8 years.
Terrace Children’s Centre). 01604 633894
Kings Heath Stay and Play Drop in
Aqualight Aqua-Natal Courses
Kingsthorpe Northampton Homebirth Group
Northampton Central Rhymetime
Camrose (Kings Heath), 16 Park Sqre, NN5 7LQ 9:30-11:30 (+ under 2s group); 01604 757694
Whitehills Nursery School, Acre Ln, NN2 8DF 19:30 - 21:30, 1st Thur of mth; Free Kelly - 07716 017366 Discuss home birth options with midwives.
Breastfeeding Drop In: 15:30-17:30 Tic Tac Toe (Childminders): 9:15 – 11:00
10:00 - 12:00; 10 Foxglove Close, Grange Park Charlotte-01604 875 188 or H/V-01604 742420 Bump - 8 mths. Free. Meet other new mums!
Kingsthorpe Children’s Centre, St David’s Road, NN2 6NS; 01604 791537
Hardingstone Music Bugs
Wallace Road Nursery, Wallace Rd, NN2 7EE 9:15 - 11:00; £1.00; 01604 713422
Hardingstone Village Hall, High Street, NN4 6DA Sessions at 9:15, 10:15 & 11:15 Fiona - 0844 5781017 Music for 0 - 5s. Book a taster session!
Headlands Autism Concern Parent Group
Headlands Children’s Centre, Bushland Road 9:30 - 11:00, fortnightly; Free; 01604 411440 For 0 - 4s. Creche available.
Hunsbury Pregnancy & Postnatal Pilates Classes 18:00 (beginners) & 19:15 (improvers) The Maple Tree Clinic, Overslade Close, NN4 0RZ. Susie, BackatEase: 07880 750258 Led by qualified Osteopath & exp. instuctor
Under 8s Water Play Session
Danes Camp Leisure Centre, Clannell Rd 8:45 - 10:30; Tots are free; 01604 837200
Time 2 Play Messy Play Baby Group Little Billing Active Baby Company Swimming
‘The Venue’, Billing Aquadrome, NN3 9DA 11:00 - 17:30 (10 weeks - school age) Denise: 01604 826066; £48 per 6-wk term 30-min swimming classes. Booking essential.
Moulton Toddle Inn
Carey Baptist Church, 34 West Street, NN3 7SB 10:30 - 12:00 and 13:30 - 15:00. For 0 - 4s.
Boothville & Moulton NCT Group
Various parents’ houses - call for location! 10:00 - 12:00; Free; Carolyn - 01604 790496
Northampton Centre Rendez Vous
10:00 - 11:00; The Rendez Vous Cafe, 15 Peacock Place, NN1 2DP (run by Vernon
Barry Road Pool, Covington Street, NN1 5JU 19:00 - 19:45. Emie Kitson: 01604 83 04 05; Fitness classes for pregnant & postbirth mums 10:15 - 10:45; Central Library, Abington Street, NN1 2BA. Free; 01604 4620403
Baby Massage: 13:30 - 14:30 Stay and Play: 9:45 – 10:45
Vernon Terrace Children’s Centre, NN1 5HE. 01604 633894.
Cupcakes & Cuddles Cafe for Babies
Roobarb & Custard, 12 Wellington Street, NN1 1:00 - 15:00; Free; Term time only Stacy: 07880 558440. For babies in their 1st year.
Rectory Farm Rectory Farm Toddler Group
9:30: Rectory Farm School, Olden Rd, NN3 5DD
Spencer Camrose Stay and Play and Toy Library Children’s Centre, Tenby Rd, NN5 7DF 13:00 - 15:00; 01604 585219. Drop in session.
Spinney Hill Parklands Mums & Tots Group
Community Centre, Devon Way, NN3 6DX 13:15 - 14:45; £2 entry Emma: emma.kippen@googlemail.com. Snacks, different activity each week & a raffle!
St Crispins Little Signers Club
10:00 - 11:00, St Crispins (venue TBC) Angie: 07816 484851; £45 for 6 weeks Baby signing fun for you and your little one
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Northampton Borough
St James L’il Dynos Martial Arts Classes
Kingsthorpe Young Parents - Drop in group for under 19s
Abington Children’s Centre, Abington United Reformed Church. 01604 521175; free
St James School, Harlestone Rd, NN5 7AG 18:00 - 19:00; for 4 yrs+ Phillip: 0800 9887986 or 07770622776; A fun-filled introduction to martial arts
Stay & Play Drop in
St James Health Clinic, St James 10:00 - 11:00 (baby massage) & 13:30 - 15:30 Free Drop in; 0-5s; 01604 620484
Lyncrest Primary Parent & Toddler
Lyncrest Primary School, Lyncrest Ave, NN5 5PE 9:30 - 11:30; £1 per family; 01604 751336 0- 5s, inc. snack & drink. Termtime only.
The Mounts Aquanatal Fitness Class
19:15 - 20:15; The Mounts Baths, NN1 3DN 01604 837400; £4 non-members; Plse prebook
Thorplands Les Canetons French Singing Group
Lodge Farm Barn, Crestwood Rd, NN3 8JJ 10:00 - 11:00; £3.70 + 70p per sibling 07985 712339; www.speaktheirlanguage.co.uk French Singing Group for Little People. All year.
Kingsthorpe Children’s Ctre, St David Rd, NN2 6NS; 13:00 - 15:00; 01604 791537
Boothville Mummies Birth Buddy Pregnancy Yoga: 9:15 & 18:00 Postnatal Yoga: 13:15-14:55
Kingsthorpe Rhymetime
Kingsthorpe Library, Welford Road, NN2 6AG 10:30 - 11:00; Free; 01604 714021; 0-5s
Boothville, NN3 6PA. Booking essential. Claire: 07966 288236; £36 for 6 weeks Pregnancy yoga from 14 weeks onwards Postnatal yoga for immediately after birth
Aqualight Swimming
Fairfields School, Trinity Avenue, NN2 6JN 12:00 -14:00; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim classes for 0 - 3s. Prebook!
Cliftonville Active Baby Company Swimming
9:00 - 12:00, Cripps Recreation Centre, Northampton Hospital, NN1 5BD Denise - 01604 826066; Book per 6-week term 30min swim classes for 10wks-4yrs. Pre-book
Jamboree Parent and Tots Group
Collingtree Active Baby Company
Northampton Centre Northampton Baby Cafe
13:30 - 15:30; Hilton Hotel, Collingtree Denise Wesson: 01604 826066 30-min swim classes. Book per 6-week term.
Pastures Community Centre, Acre Lane 10:00 - 11:30; Julia Pollard: 07748 670294; £1.50. All ages welcome and open all year.
Friends Meeting House, Wellington St, NN1 3AS 10:30 - 12:30; Free; 07780 672939 Breastfeeding support + drink & biscuit!
Earls Barton Earls Barton Rhymetime
Chatterbox
Thorplands Children’s Centre 16:30-17:55 - please book before attending Claire (Mummies Birth Buddy): 01604 741131; Pregnancy yoga - from 14 weeks onwards
Ecton Brook Ecton Brook Children’s Centre 9:30– 10:30: Baby Babble (<12 m): 13:45 – 14:45: Soft Play (1–2 yrs):
Mini Music & Baby Music
Teens & Tinies (Mums <19 yrs) 11:30-13:00. Free; 01604 741131 Thorplands Children’s Centre, Farm Field Court
Grange Park Little Signers Club
Vernon Terrace Children’s Centre, NN1 14:00 - 15:00; 01604 633894
Pregnancy Yoga
Drop-in Sessions
Child & Parent Ctr (NSPCC), 48 Waterpump Ct 10:00 - 12:00; Free; 01604 493336 For 0 - 4s. Toys, arts & crafts, music, etc.
Weston Favell Tumble Tots
St. Peters, Church Hall, High Street, NN3 3JX Babes: 9:30; Toddlers: 10:30; 2-3 yrs: 11:30 Naomi - 07779 785 166 Structured Play for 6m-5yrs all year. Book!
Wootton Fields Wootton Fields Rhymetime
Wootton Fields Library, Wooldale Rd, NN4 6TP 10:15 - 10:45; Free; 01604 669213; Term time
FRIDAYS
Abington St Gregory’s Toddler Group St Gregory’s Church, Birchfield Rd East 9:30 - 11:30 (term time); 50p Come & Play - Activities every week!
Earls Barton Library, Broad Street, NN6 0ND 14:30 – 15:00; Free; 01604 810726; Term time
Vernon Terrace Children’s Centre, NN1 5HE 9:30 - 10:30, 10:45 - 11:45 (babies) £1; 01604 633894; Music, movement & songs
Baby Massage
Ecton Brook Road, NN3 5DY. 01604 409280
Spinney Hill
Kairos Centre, Saxon Ave, NN4 5FB 10:00: Drop in!, 11:00: Beginners (Prebook) Angie: 07816 484851 Baby signing fun for you and little one
Childminders: 9:00-10:45 (2nd Fri) Time 2 Play for Baby: 14:00 - 15:30 Parklands Children’s Centre, Spinney Hill Rd 01604 642118; Free drop in sessions
Hardingstone N H S Toddlers Group
Northampton High School, Newport Pagnell Rd 13:30 - 15:00: £1.50 per session; 01604 667979 For 2 - 3 yrs. Termtime only
Headlands Aqualight Swimming
St James Stay & Play Drop-In
St James Health Clinic, St James 9:30 - 11:30; Free; 01604 620484
Headlands Parent and Tots Group
Headlands School, Bushland Rd, NN3 2NS 9:00 - 11:00; £1; Julie - 01604 413462 Activities for 0 - 4s. Term-time only.
Elim Mums and Tots Group
Elim Christian Centre, Gladstone Rd, NN5 7EG 10:00 - 11:30; £1 per family + 50p per sibling Michelle: 07799 314241. Term time only. Crafts, food and fun in happy, safe environment
Hunsbury Pre School Gymnastics Sessions
Abington Library Rhymetime Music Bugs
Abbey Centre, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury 12:30 - 14:30; Karen: 01604 760194; £1.50
Rhyme Time: 10:00 - 10:45
Camrose at Kings Heath, 16 Park Sqre, NN5 7LQ 01604 757694
Abbey Centre Baby & Toddler Group
Abington Parish Rooms, Ashburnham Road 9:10 - 9:50, 10:00 - 10:40 Fiona Bayliss - 0844 5781017 to book Music sessions for 0-5s. Book a Trial!
In the Water
Spencer Breastfeeding Drop In Group: 9:00 - 12:00 Health Walks: 9:30 - 10:30 (meet at recep) Somali Women’s Group: 9:30 - 11:30 Child Minders group: 9:30 - 11:30
Camrose Sure Start, Tenby Road, NN5 7DF Free; 01604 585219
Headlands pool, Northampton 9:30 - 11:30; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim classes for 0-4yrs. Prebook!
15:45 - 16:30; Danes Camp Leisure Centre 01604 837 200; £5.50 (£4.95 with leisure card) For 3 years to School age. Term time only.
14:15 - 14:45; Lindsay Ave, NN3 2SJ Free; 01604 401402; Termtime only
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 147-155 Kettering Road, NN1 4BS 9:30 - 11:15am; For 0 - 5s. Termtime only
The Mounts Mounts Baths Water Playgroup
The Mounts Baths, NN1 3DN 14:00 - 15:30; Tots are free; 01604 837400 Maximum of two children under 8 years.
Kings Heath Stay and Play Drop in: 9:30 - 11:30 Action Kids: 9:30 - 11:30, 2nd wk of mth
Singing & Signing
Physical Fun
Arts & Crafts
For Pregnancy
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Daily Activity Planner
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Daiily Activity Planner
Northampton Borough
Thorplands Thorplands Children’s Centre
9:00 - 10:30: Health Visitor Clinic 11:15 - 12:45: Baby Massage (book) 9:30 -11:30: Midwife Drop In 13:00 - 14:30: Toddle Tots Group (fortnightly) 13:00 - 14:30: Little Stars (fortnightly) Farm Field Court, NN3 8AQ. 01604 741131 TT is for walking to 3yrs. Little Stars for preschool children with additional needs.
Weston Favell Tumble Tots
St Peter’s Church Hall, High St, NN3 3JX 9:30: Gymbabes; 10:30: Toddlers; 11:30: 2-3yrs; 13:00: 3yrs+ Naomi - 07779 785166 Structured Play from 6m to 5 yrs. Book!
Wootton Wootton Trinity Toddler Group
9.30 - 11.30; Wootton Trinity Church, High St. £2/family; Mandy: 01604 764605; 0-5s. Term.
Preston Hedgehogs
Wootton Community Centre, Curtlee Hill 9:30 - 11:30; £2.50/family; Nicky-07854 441062 Play time & songs. Term time only.
SATURDAYS
Blackthorn Dads, Uncles & Grandads Drop In Group
Blackthorn Children’s Centre, Longmead Ct. 10:00 – 12:00; 01604 413504
Grange Park Little Signers Club
10:00 - 11:00 - beginner’s class (Prebook) Angie: 07816 484851 Baby signing fun for you and little one
Kingsthorpe Dads’ Group
Children’s Centre, St.Davids Road, NN2 6NS 10:00 - 12:00; 01604 791537
Northampton Centre Move, Make & Do
Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Rd, NN1 1DP 14:00 - 15:00. 01604 624811; £5 per child Drop in for stories, drama, dancing and music
Aqualight Swimming
Barry Road School Baths. Barry Road, NN1 5JS 14:00 -18:00; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim classes for 0 - 7yrs. Prebook.
Birth Preparation Courses with Partner Venue TBC in Northampton 9:45 - 16:30 - prebook only Claire: 07966 288236; £60 per couple Learn breathing, positioning & partners roles.
Spencer Dad’s Stay & Play: 10:00 - 12:00, last Sat of
month. Starts 29th Jan. 01604 585219
Ante-Natal Parent Craft Classes: 10:00 15:00, alternative months. 01604 585219 Camrose Children’s Centres, Tenby Rd,NN5 7DF
The Mounts, Northampton Mounts Baths family swimming
The Mounts Baths, NN1 3DN 14:00 - 17:00; Tots are free; 01604 837400 Maximum of two children under 8 years.
Wootton Tumble Tots
Wootton Community Centre, Curtlee Hill.
Kairos Centre, Saxon Ave, NN4 5FB
Gymbabes: 9:30; Toddlers: 10:30; 2 - 3 yrs: 11:30; 3yrs - school: 12:45 Naomi - 07779 785 166 Structured play for 6m-5yrs. Book a trial.
SUNDAYS
Duston Little Kickers
The Duston School, Berrywood Rd, NN5 6XA 9.30 - 10:15: 2 - 3½ yrs & 3½ - 5th b’day 10.30 - 11:15: 2 - 3½ yrs & 1½ - 2yrs 3mth 11.30 - 12:15: 2-3½yrs & 5-6 yrs Lynne: 01327 310373 Football classes for 18 months to 6 years
Hunsbury Under 8s Tots Water Playgroup
Danes Camp Leisure Centre, Clannell Road 8:00 - 9:00; Tots are free; 01604 837200 Maximum of two children under 8 years.
Northampton Centre Aqualight Swimming
Barry Road School Baths. Barry Road, NN1 5JS 15:00 -17:00; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim classes for 0 - 4s. Prebook.
The Mounts Mounts Baths Family Swimming
The Mounts Baths, NN1 3DN 8:00 - 15:45; Tots are free; 01604 837400 Maximum of two children under 8 years.
Weston Favell Lings Forum Family Swimming
Lings Forum Leisure Centre, Billing Brook Rd. 10:00 - 11:00; Tots are free; 01604 837 300 Maximum of two children under 8 years
South Northants District
MONDAYS
Bicester Sing & Sign
Salvation Army building, Hart Place, Bicester 9:45-10:45 (advanced), 11:00-12:00 (beginners) £66.00 per 11 wk term. Corma: 01280 704705 Baby signing with music, instruments & props
Brackley Preschool Gymnastics Club
Brackley Leisure Centre, Springfields Way 13:45 - 14:45; Booking essential: 01280 701789 For 3 - 5 years. Termly, termtime only.
Noah’s Ark
Methodist Church, High St, NN13 9:30 - 11:30 Parent & Toddler group for 0 -5s
Tiddlers Stay & Play: 10:00 - 11:30 (1-2 yrs) More than One!: 13:00-15:00 (mthly, for
multiple birth families) Book Club: 19:00-20:00 (pre-book) Brackley Children’s Centre, Manor Road Free Drop ins groups; 01280 841674
Childminder Support Group
Run by Brackley Children’s Centre, at Women’s Institute Hall, Manor Rd, Brackley 9:30 - 11:30, monthly. Laura: 01280 841674 Free Drop in session for childminders
Buckingham
Musical Minis
Well St. Centre, Well St, MK18 1EN 10:00 - 10:45; £4; Amanda: 01908 259914 Free Trial Offer Voucher in offers
Middleton Cheney Stay & Play
Middleton Cheney Village Hall 10:00 - 11:30; 01327 811426; Free. Drop in; Crafts, games & toys.
Milton Malsor Musical Minis
Mighty Atoms Soft Play Sessions
Towcester Centre for Leisure 14:00 – 15:00; £3.20 per child; 01327 322480
TUESDAYS
Banbury Active Baby Company
Bloxham School, nr Banbury 10:00 - 11:30; £48 per 6-week term Denise: 01604 826066. 30-min swimming classes. Booking essential
Milton Malsor Village Hall, NN7 10:00 - 10:45; Amanda: 01908 259914 Fun session for 0 to pre-schoolers.
Rugrats Twins and Multiples Group
Roade Sing & Sign
Brackley Musical Minis
Roade Children’s Centre, Village Hall 10:30-12:00: Beginners + Improvers Book with Children’s Centre: 01327 811426 Baby signing with music & props (free)
Towcester Little Turtle Swim Company
9:30 – 12:00; Gateway School, Tiffield Zara - 01908 543384; £54 for 6 weeks 30-min swim sessions for 2mths–5 yrs.
Breastfeeding Group
Brook Health Ctre, Swinneyford Rd 11:00 - 12:30; Free; 01327 323900 Very informal and open to all mums
Rugrats and Halfpints, Beaumont Rd, OX16 1QY 10:30-13:00; £4/family; Simone: 07921 460086 Fortnightly meeting - in hols too.
Leisure Centre, Springfield Way, NN13 6JJ 10:30-11:15; £4; Amanda: 01908 259914 Free Trial Offer Voucher in Centre Pages
Mighty Atoms Soft Play Sessions
Brackley Leisure Centre, Springfields Way 9:30 - 11:30; £3.20 per child 01280 701787
Little Fishes
Baptist Church, Waynflete Close, NN13 6AE 9:15 - 10:30 or 10:45 - 12:00; For 0 - 5s
Brackley Children’s Centre 10:00-10:30: Baby Rhymetime (0-9 m) 10:45-11:30: BABS Breastfeeding Grp
34 Search these listings by distance from your house: www.toddleabout.co.uk
Crafty Play
13:30 - 14:45; Run by Children’s Centre at Brackley Baptist Church. For 2-5yrs, please book your place
South Northants District
Towcester Sing & Sign Baby Signing
Deanshanger Community Centre 9:30 - 11:30; £2 per childminder Rachel: 01908 261864
Towcester Children’s Centre 10:30-12:00: Beginners + Improvers Booking essential: 01327 811426; free Baby Signing classes with music & props
Greens Norton Tots Own Toddler Group
14:15 - 15:15; St Bartholemew’s Church 30p; Harriet - 07738 003418; Term time only
Parent & Baby Swimming
Bugbrooke Bugbrooke Stay & Play
Bugbrooke Comm Centre, Camp Cl., NN7 3RW 10:00 - 11:30; Free. 01327 811426 Drop in play session inc crafts & singing.
Towcester Leisure Centre, Springfields, 9:00 - 11:00; £25.20 for 6-week course 01327 322480; Swim lessons for 6 mth+
Hackleton Cupcakes & Cuddles Cafe for Babies
Hackleton Village Hall, Chapel Lane, NN7 2AH 13:30 - 16:30; Stacy: 07880 558440; free; All yr For those with babies in their first year.
Mighty Atoms Soft Play Sessions
Tiny Tots Service
9:30 - 11:30; Towcester Centre for Leisure, Springfields, £3.20 per child; 01327 322480
Deanshanger Tiny Treasures Baby Group
WEDNESDAYS
14.30pm - 15:15; Bugbrooke Church Singing & story service then toy-time
Deanshanger Holy Trinity Church 10:30 - 11:45; 01327 811426; Free For 0-6 months, 4th Jan to 22nd Feb
Denton Village Tots
Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, Denton, NN7 1DL 14:00 - 16:00; Lucy: 07919 185149 £1.50; 2nd Tues of mth =baby weighing.
Litchborough Litchborough Play Time
Village Hall, Northampton Rd, NN12 8JA; 13:45 - 15:30; £1.50 per family Vanessa - 01327 830823; For 0 - 5s Crafts & singing, term time and hols too
Roade Roade Parent & Toddler Group
Village Hall, Bailey Brooks Ln, NN7 2LS 10 - 12pm; £1.50 + 50p p/c over 1 Charlotte: 01604 863193
Brackley Preschool Football Sessions
Scout Hut, Midway, OX17 2QW 15.50 (4-6yrs); 16:20 (7-10yrs); 16:50 (11yrs+) Miss Lorraine: 07711 010404 Street Dance classes for children 4 years+
Brackley Story Time
10:30-11:00, Brackley Library, NN13 6AJ Free Storytime sessions open to all
Middleton Cheney Rhymetime
Baby Massage: 13:30 - 14:30 (WI Hall) Grandparents Group: 13:30 - 15:00 Toy Library Ordering: 9:00 - 12:00 (monthly)
Deanshanger Deanshanger Toddler Group
Holy Trinity Church, Deanshanger 13:30 – 15:00; Free; Jennie - 01908 564725
Kings Sutton Children’s Centre 10:30 - 12:00. Book: 01327 811426 Baby signing with music, instruments & props
Middleton Cheney Love Ballet Dance Company
Brackley Leisure Centre, Springfields Way 16:00 – 17:00; Booking #: 01280 701790 Termly football course for 4 yr-olds.
Brackley Children’s Centre, Manor Road Grandparents: 1st & 3rd wks of mth Baby Massage: Please book: 01280 841674
Kings Sutton Sing & Sign
Middleton Cheney Library, Main Road, OX17 10:00 - 10:30, 1st Wed of the mth; Free
Pattishall Pattishall Mums & Tots
Pattishall Parish Hall, School Lane 13:30 – 15:00; £1.50; Term time only.
Roade Roade Storytime
Roade Library, High Street, NN7 16:00 - 16:30; Free; For 4 - 8s. Free
Childminder Support Group
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In the Water
Singing & Signing
Physical Fun
Arts & Crafts
For Pregnancy
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Daily Activity Planner
Brackley Library, Manor Road; 01280 841674 Free Drop In Groups
Daiily Activity Planner
South Northants District Towcester Baby Steps Pregancy & Postnatal Belly Dance Evening Classes Nicholas Hawksmoor School, NN12 6JA 07801 966198 - booking essential Fun, friendship and fitness
Wednesday Tots Group
St John’s Ambulance Hall, Islington Rd, NN12 9.30 – 11:00; £1.40; Jane - 01327 352321 For 0 – 5s Inc. sing-song. Termtime only
Baby & Me Group
Upstairs Brook Health Centre, Swinneyford Rd 14:00 - 15:30; Donation for tea; 01327 350182 For new babies up to 6 months
Weston Weston Tiny Tots
Weston Baptist Chapel, High Street, NN12 8PU 10:00 - 11:30; £2; Rosemary: 01295 760720 Term time only
Winslow Musical Minis
Winslow Public Hall, Elmsfield Gate, Bucks 9:45 - 10:30; £4; Amanda: 01908 259914 Free Trial Offer Voucher in Centre Pages
THURSDAYS
Ashton Ashton Parent & Toddler Group
Ashton CE Primary School, Roade Hill, NN7 2JH 13:30 - 15:00; £1; Laura - 07825 371624
Banbury Sing & Sign
Rugrats and Halfpints, Beaumont Road. 13:30 - 14:30 (beginners + improvers) £66 per 11 wk term; Corma : 01280 704705 Baby signing with music, instruments & props
Brackley Mighty Atoms Soft Play Sessions
Action Kids: 10:15 - 11:00 New Baby & You: 10:00 - 11:30 (6-12m)
Brackley Children’s Centre, Manor Road Free; 01280 841674 New Baby & You runs fortnightly. Free drop-ins.
Fit to be Mum
Run by Brackley Children’s Centre, at Women’s Institute Hall, Manor Rd 13:30 - 14:30. book: 01280 841674; Free Postnatal fitness training
Buckingham Sing & Sign
Tumblers Play Centre, Bridge Street, MK18 1EL 10:00 (advanced) & 11:00 (beginners) Corma: 01280 704705 Baby signing with music, instruments & props
Bugbrooke Bugbrooke Parent & Tots
9:00 - 11:00; Sunday School, Church Lane Free; 0 – 4s; Toys , painting & crafts activities.
Evenley Sing & Sign
Evenley Village Hall, Broad Ln, NN13 5SD 9:45 - 10:45 (adv), 11:00 - 12:00 (beginners) £66 per 11 wk term; Corma: 01280 704705 Baby signing with music, instruments & props
Kislingbury Kizzle Tots
Kislingbury Baptist Church, Mill Rd, NN7 4BB 9:30 - 11:30; £1 per family; For 0 – 4s. Heather - 07962 157669; Term time only.
Roade Roade Stay & Play
Roade Community Centre 10:00 - 11:30; 01327 811426; Free drop in Activities include crafts, games & toys.
Silverstone Musical Monkeys
Brackley Leisure Centre, Springfields Way 9:30 - 11:30; £3.20 per child. 01280 701787
Silverstone Pavillion, Church St, NN12 8XA 10:30 - 11:30; £3.50 (£4 for family). Vanessa - 07917 683330 Drop in for music, parachute and cake!
First Steps
Silverstone Tiny Tots
St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Rd, NN13 7BZ 9:15 - 11:30 (10:00 -12:00 in holidays) Val: 01280 701864; £1.50 per family Breakfast, chat, songs, bible stories, crafts.
Sparrows Toddler Group
9:30am - 11:30; St Peters Church, Church Rd
Brackley Rhymetime
Brackley Library, Manor Road, NN13 6AJ 14:15 - 14:45; Free; Cathy - 01280 703455 Free singing sessions open to all
Brackley Children’s Centre
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9:15am; St Michael’s Church; Open to all.
Silverstone Tiggers
Methodist Church Rooms 13:30 – 15:00: £1.50; Catherine: 07854 309241 Puzzles, books, toys & trampoline.
Stony Stratford Musical Minis
York House, London Road, Stony Stratford. 9:30 - 10:15; £4; Amanda: 01908 259914 Free Trial Offer Voucher in Centre Pages
Stony Stratford Storytime
Stony Stratford Library, 5-7 Church Street 14:00 - 14:30; Free; 01908 562562 Story sessions for under 5s
Towcester Baby Steps Pregancy & Postnatal Belly Dance Classes 13:15 - 14:15, Wellbeing Fitness, Old Greens Norton Rd, NN12 8AX. Book: 07801 966198. Fun, friendship and fitness
Little Signers Club
13:30 - 14:30; Venue TBC Angie: 07816 484851; £45 for 6 weeks Baby signing fun for you and your little one
Pregnancy & Postnatal Pilates Classes Brook health Centre, Towcester 11am - 12pm; Susie: 07880 750 258 Led by qualified Osteopath & experienced instructor
Bumps & Babies Group
The Chantry House, Watling Street. 13:30 - 15:00; Free; 0844 2436299 Relaxed with baby toys and soft mats.
Towcester Toy Library
Towcester Community Centre, Islington Road 9:30 - 11:30; £1.50 per family. Sheila: 01327 860437 Toy hire from 50p. Re-opening February ‘11
FRIDAYS
Banbury Sing & Sign
Grimsbury Comm. Hall, Burchester Pl. OX16 3JT 9:45-10:45 (advanced); 11:00-12:00 (beginners) £66 per 11 wk term; Corma : 01280 704705 Baby signing with music, instruments & props
Blakesley Blakesley Mums & Tots
Blakesley Village Hall, Blakesley 10:00 - 11:30; £1.50 per family For 0 – 5s. Includes drinks and biscuit
Brackley Tadpoles Toddler Group
10:00-11:30, St Peters Church, end of Church Rd
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Brackley Children’s Centre, Brackley Library, Manor Road, NN13 6AJ 10:00 - 11:30; Free; 01280 841674 Advice and support for babies 0 - 6 mths
Croughton Croughton Mother & Tots Group
South Northants District
9:00 - 11:00; £25.20 for 6-week course 01327 322480; 30-min swim classes for 6 mths+
Brackley Leisure Centre, Springfields Way, 10:30 – 12:30; £3.20 per child; 01280 701787 Drop in soft play sessions for 0-5s
Towcester Rhymetime
Towcester Library, Richmond Road, 10:00 , 10:45 & 11:30, 2nd & 4th wks of mth Free 30-min singing sessions for 0-5s
Croughton Village Hall 10:00 – 12:00; £2; Beckie – 01869 819734 From birth - school. Term-time only.
Roade Library, High Street, NN7 10:00-10:30, 1st & 3rd Sat of month; Free Free singing sessions open to all
Community Centre, Deanshanger 9:30- 11:30; £2 per family Rachel: 07710845865; Toys and crafts/activities
Towcester Mighty Atoms
Deanshanger Rhymetime
Nether Heyford Nether Heyford Little Fishes Group
Church rooms, The Green, NN7 3LE 11:00 - 13:00; £1 (free first session) Lia: 07709 020378; Bring sandwiches for lunch.
Stony Stratford Musical Monkeys
York House Centre, London Rd, MK11 1JQ 10:00 - 11:00; £3.50 (£4 for family). Vanessa - 07917 683330 Drop in for music, parachute and cake!
Towcester Towcester Twins Group
Brook Health Centre, Swinneyford Rd 14:00 - 15.30 fortnightly; Free Melanie - 01327 351097; Ring for dates
Parent & Baby Swimming Lessons
Towcester Leisure Centre, Springfields, NN12
In the Water
Brackley Pool, Manor Rd, NN13 6EE 9:00; £4.20 per 30 minute lesson Booking essential: 01280 704906 Termly swim lessons for 6 mths - 3 yrs
Roade Roade Rhymetime
Deanshanger Deanie Tots
Deanshanger Library, Little London, MK19 14:00 - 14:30, 4th Friday of mth Free singing sessions open to all
Swimming Lessons
Towcester Leisure Centre, Springfields, NN12 9:00 - 10:15; £3.20 per child; 01327 322480 Soft play drop in sessions for 0 – 5s
Towcester Stay & Play
Little Turtle Swim Company
St John’s Ambulance Hall, Towcester 10:00 - 11:30; Free; 01327 811426 Activities include crafts, games & toys.
Gateway School, St. Johns Rd, Tiffield 10:45–14:15; Zara: 01908 543384; £54 for 6wks 30-minute swim sessions for 2 mths - 8 yrs
Wicken Akeley Wood Baby & Toddler
Parent & Baby Swimming Lessons
Towcester Leisure Centre, Springfields, NN12 8:30-10:00; £25.20 for 6-wks; 01327 322480 30-min swim classes for 6 mths+
Akeley Wood Nursery, MK19 6DA 10:00 - 11:30; Free; Nicola - 01908 571231 For 0 - 3s. Free play with lots of activities.
SATURDAYS
Brackley Kids & Co. for Dads & Male Carers
Brackley Children’s Centre, Manor Road 10:00-12:00, Runs monthly. Please call for info & book: 01280 841674 Free stay & play session for male carers & kids
SUNDAYS
Towcester Active Baby Company Swimming
Gateway School, St. Johns Rd, Tiffield, NN12 8:30 – 13:00; Book as 5-week term Denise - 01604 826066 30-min swim classes for 10wks–7y. Book.
Mighty Atoms
Singing & Signing
Physical Fun
Arts & Crafts
For Pregnancy
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Daily Activity Planner
New Baby & You
Daiily Activity Planner
MONDAYS
Daventry District
Braunston Little Fishes Toddler Group
All Saints Church, High Street. 14:00 – 15:00; 07762 620707 (Marian), 01327 702466 (Liz) For 0 – 5s. Termtime only. Free!
Byfield Baby Clinic
Byfield Surgery, Church St. NN11 14:00 - 15:30pm; Free; Philippa - 01327 260804 Health clinic inc weighing. Appointment only.
Catthorpe, Leicestershire Music Bugs
The Wheel Room, Manor Farm Cafe & Shop, Catthorpe, LE17 6DB 9:10 and 10:00; Fiona Bayliss - 0844 5781017 Fun music sessions for 0 - 5s. Book a Taster!
Crick Crick Tots
Crick Village Hall 10:30 - 12:00; £2/family; Cath: 01788 824344 Includes fun activities, snack and drink
Daventry Love Ballet Dance Company
Nene Hall, Tamar Sqre, The Grange, NN11 4RB Mon: 16:00 & 16:30: 3-5yrs; 17:00: 5-6yrs Lorraine: 07711 010404 Ballet classes for children 3 years+. Older children and adult classes run at later times.
Acorn Parent & Toddler Group United Ref. Church, Foundry Place
9.30 – 11:00; £1; Rosemary - 01327 872650 0-5s. Story time 10.30 & singing 10.45.
DABS Breastfeeding Group
Daventry Sure Start Centre, 14 Benbow Close 13:00 - 15:00; 01327 313861: Free Breastfeeding support drop in group
Adventure World Soft Play
Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Road, NN11 9:30 – 17:30; £1.65 under 5s; 01327 871144 Indoor soft play area For up to 8 yrs;
Harlestone Harlestone Tiny Tots
Harlestone Village Hall 10:00 - 11:30; £1.50 + 50p p/c 1yr+ Janet - 01604 843991. Please call b4 coming! For 0 – 4s. On in holidays too.
Kilsby Kilsby Playtime
Kilsby Village Hall, Rugby Road 9:45 - 11:45; £1.50 + 50p p/c Susan: 07845 751449 or 01788 823079 All carers welcome. Termtime only.
Long Buckby Yoga for Pregnancy
Long Buckby Community Centre, NN6 7WB 18:15 - 19:45; £42 for 6-week course Lizzy Giles: 07950 573719 Physical & emotional pregnancy support
Long Buckby Mums & Tots
Community Centre, 41 Station Rd, NN6 7QB 9.30 – 11:30
Stay and Play
Drop in session
Rugby Music Bugs
Hilmorton Paddox Methodist Church, Dunsmore Rd, CV22 5HD 14:00 – 14:40; Fiona Bayliss - 0844 5781017 Music sessions for 0 - 5s. Book Taster!
Tumble Tots
Overslade Community Centre, Buchanan Rd Gymbabes: 9:30; Toddlers: 10:30; 2-3yrs: 11:30; 3yrs to school: 12:45 Naomi - 07779 785 166 Structured play for 6m-5yrs all year. Book trial!
Scaldwell Scaldwell Mums & Tots
Scaldwell Village Hall, School Lane, NN6 9LD 10:00 - 12:00; £1.50 per family Kathryn - 01604 882786 Friendly group. Termtime only.
Upper Boddington Love Ballet Dance Company
Upper Boddington Village Hall, Warwick Road 9:30 (Nursery Ballet) & 10:20 (Adult Ballet) Lorraine: 07711 010404; Ballet for 2 - 5yrs & adults (no exp. necessary)
Woodford Halse Stay ‘n’ Play: 13:30 - 15:00 Midwife Drop in: 14:00 -16:00 (monthly)
Woodford Halse Children’s Centre, Scrivens Hill, NN11 3SU Free; 01327 264809; Drop in session.
Long Buckby Community Centre 14:00 - 15:30. 01327 701604; Free
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9:30 - 11:30; Boddington Village Hall, CV47
Braunston Braunston Rhymetime
Braunston Village Hall, The Green, NN11 7HW 12:45 - 13:15; 07544 726185; Free Stories and Songs for the under 5s
Braunston Toddler Group
13:30 - 15:00; Braunston Village Hall, NN11
Daventry Tumble Tots
The Saxon Suite, Leisure Centre, Lodge Rd. 9:30: Gymbabes; 10:30: Toddlers; 11:30: 2-3yrs; 12:45: 3yrs - school Naomi - 07779 785166 Structured Play from 6m to 5 yrs all year. Book!
Love Ballet Dance Company
Nene Hall, Tamar Sqre, The Grange. Acting, Performance & Singing: 16:00 (3-5 yrs), 16:45 (6-8yrs) & 17:45 (9-12yrs) Tap Dance: 17:15 (3-5yrs) & 17:45 (5-8yrs) Adults: 18:15-Tap; 19:15-Street; 8pm:ZUMBA Miss Lorraine: 07711 010404
Middlemore Parents & Tots (NCT)
Health Visitors: baby-weighing + advice.
Naseby Brixworth & Villages NCT Group
Barcélo Hotel, Sedgemoor Way, NN11 0SG 9:15 - 12:15; Book as 6-week term Denise - 01604 826066. Booking essential. 30 min swim class for 10wks-4yrs.
Naseby Methodist Church 10:00 - 12:00; £1.50 per family Jo - 01604 881344 Non-members welcome
Guilsborough Surgery, High Street, NN6 8QE 11:30 - 13:00; 01604 740210
Bilton Methodist Church, Main St, Bilton, CV22 7NB 9:30 - 10:10 & 10:30 - 11:10; Fiona Bayliss - 0844 5781017 Music sessions for 0 - 5s. Book trial!
Daventry Children’s Centre, 14 Benbow Close, 12.30 - 14.30; Free; Jenny - 01327 313861 For 0 -5s. Inc. messy play
Mums & Tums
Daventry Children’s Centre, 14 Benbow Close 9.15 - 11.15, 1st Tues of month Jenny - 01327 313861 Run by midwife for pregnant mums
Daventry Rhymetime
10:00 and 10:30, fortnightly Daventry Library, North Street; 01327 703130 Free singing & music sessions open to all
Health Walks
Daventry Country Park/Scout Hall 9:30 - 10:30; 01327 313861; Free Healthy and fun walks - please book
Hot Tots Soft Play Group
Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Road, NN11 4FP; 01327 871144 9-11:00; £1.35 <18m; £2.85 18m+ For 6m+. Bouncy castle and soft play.
Long Buckby Long Buckby Mums and Babies
Baptist Church, on Market Place 10.30 – 12:00; Free; Jane - 01327 843453 For 0 - 4 years. In school holidays too!
Sparkles
Long Buckby 9:30 - 11:00, venue TBC.
In the Water
Active Baby Company Swimming
Woodford Halse Woodford Halse Children’s Centre 10:30 - 12:30: New Babes Group 14:00 – 16:00: Toddles Group Scrivens Hill, NN11 3SU; 01327 264809; Free New babes 0 - 12 mths & Toddles 12 mths+
WEDNESDAYS
Barby Chatterbox Baby & Toddler Group
Stay ‘n’ Play
Afternoon, various houses. Call for location! Angela - 07973 659092.
Weedon Bec Village Hall, West St, NN7 4QU 13:30 – 15:00; £1.50 per family Sonia - 01327 349951 Toys, crafts, song time + outside play.
Toddlers Group
Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Road, NN11 13:00 - 17:30; £1.65 under 5s; 01327 871144 Soft play area for up to 8 yrs
Hellidon Hellidon Baby & Toddler Group
Weedon Little Goslings Baby & Toddler
Badby Badby Mums & Tots
Adventure World Soft Play
Guilsborough Breastfeeding Drop In
Rugby Music Bugs
Middlemore Farm Pub, Hidcote Way, NN11 5JZ 9:45 - 11:15; £1 donation; Clare: 0844 2436102 For bump - 3 yrs. Hot drink included. Holy Cross Church, Church Walk 13:30-14:45, 2nd Tues of mth; Free Paula: 01327 877979 Termtime only. Fun find teddy game!
Active Baby Company Swimming
9:30 - 11:30 Badby Village Hall, The Green
Barby Village Hall, Barby, Rugby, 9:30 - 11:30; £1.50; Inc drink & biscuit
Brixworth Nature Tots @ Brixworth Country Park Northampton Road, NN6 9DG 10:00 - 11:30 (3rd Wednesday of month) 01604 883920; £3.00 - booking essential A parents and tots group with a difference!
Byfield Rhyme Time
Hellidon Lakes Hotel, Priors Marston Rd, NN11 6GG; 13:30 - 15:30; Book as 6-wk term Denise - 01604 826066. Booking essential. 30-min swim classes for 8m-5yrs.
Long Buckby Love Ballet Dance Company
Long Buckby Baptist Church, Market Pl., NN6 Gymnastics: 17:00 (3-6yrs) & 17:45: 7-10yrs Cheerleading: 18:30 (10yrs+) Lorraine: 07711 010404
Tatty Bumpkin
Long Buckby (venue TBC) 14:15 - 15:00 01327 701604; Free Yoga-inspired activity sessions. Book.
Postnatal Group
Long Buckby Community Centre 9:30 - 11:00. Book: 01327 701604; Free
Pitsford Pitsford Toddler Group
Pitsford Village Hall. 9:30 - 11:30; £2 per family Lorraine - 01604 881353 Termtime only. Great selection of toys!
Priors Marston Priors Marston Toddlers
9:30 - 11:30; The Priors Hall, CV47
Weedon Musical Minis
Weedon Village Hall, West Street, NN7 4PQ 9:30 - 10:15; £4; Amanda: 01908 259914 Free Trial Offer Voucher in Centre Pages
Byfield School Hall, Bell Lane, NN11 6US 10:15 - 11:00; Free; 01327 264809 For 0 - 5s. Please pre-book
Fun with Music Drop In
Weedon Bec School, West Street, NN7 4QU 10:30 - 11:30; Free; 01327 264809
Daventry Little Signers Club
West Haddon Caterpillar Club
10:00 - 11:00; Daventry: venue TBC Angie: 07816 484851; £45 for 6 weeks Baby signing for you and your little one
Daventry Story Time
West Haddon Village Hall, The Green, NN6 7AN 9:15 - 11:15: £1.50 per child Sarah: 01788 510760 Termtime only. Craft corner and singing
Younger Parents Group
Woodford Halse Baby Massage
10:15 - 10:35 (fortnightly) Daventry Library, North Street; 01327 703130 Free story session open to all Abbey Centre, Market Square, NN11 4BH 13:00 - 15:00; Free; Rose: 01327 313861
Toddler Time
Daventry Methodist Church Hall, Golding Close 10:00 – 12:00
THURSDAYS
Adventure World Soft Play
Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Road, NN11 13:00 - 17:30; £1.65 under 5s; 01327 871144
Breakfast Club: 8:30 - 9:30 Itsy Bitsy (Baby clinic): 13:00 - 14:30
Daventry Children’s Centre, 14 Benbow Close Free; 01327 313861
Singing & Signing
Physical Fun
10:00 - 10:30, Woodford Halse Children’s Centre, Scrivens Hill, NN11 3SU 01327 264809; Free
Brixworth Olive Shoots Tots Group
Brixworth Library, Spratton Road 10:00 - 11:30, £1 per family; 0-3 yrs.; Term only Margaret & John - 01604 646300
Arts & Crafts
For Pregnancy
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Daily Activity Planner
TUESDAYS
Boddington Boddington Toddler Group
Daventry District
Referal only - please call 01327 701604 Group for children with additional needs
Daiily Activity Planner
Daventry District Byfield Byfield Toddler Group
Staverton Staverton Mums & Tots
Daventry Monkey Mayhem: 9:30 - 13:00 Adventure World Soft Play: 15:0017:30
Welton Welton Parent & Toddler Group
Byfield Village Hall, Byfield, NN11 10:00 - 11:30am
Daventry Leisure Ctre, Lodge Road, NN11 4FP. 01327 871144 AW: £1.65 under 5s; MM: 6-18 mths: £1.45, 18 mths+: £2.90 Soft play fun! Inflatables and frame equipment
Scrap Books
Daventry Children’s Centre, 14 Benbow Close, NN11 4JP 13:00 - 15:00. Book: 01327 313861
Look at Me (Sibling Group)
15:30 - 17:00: Southbrook Junior School Referral/book: 01327 313861 Stay n Play 9:30 - 11:00: Daventry Family Centre 01327 701604; Free drop in
Staverton Village Hall, Croft Lane , NN11 6JE 10:30 - 12:00
9:45 - 11:15, Welton Village Hall Lee: 07977 191054. £1.50 With road safety themed ride on area!
Woodford Halse Special Needs Group: 10:00-12:00 (mthly) Adoption Support Group: 15:30-17:00 (mthly) Woodford Halse Children’s Centre Scrivens Hill, NN11 3SU; 01327 264809 10:00 - 12:00, Once a mth - call for day Free drop in session
FRIDAYS
Brixworth Brixworth Rhymetime
Baby Bumpkins
Brixworth Library, Spratton Road 9.45 - 10.20; Free; Jill - 01604 882153 Free singing session. Termtime only
East Haddon East Haddon Toddler Group
Stay and Play
9:30 - 11:30, Ashby Fields Book: 01327 313861; Free
The Pavilion, East Haddon Playing Fields, (turning opp. Red Lion Pub) 10:00 - 11.30; £1.50 per family Melissa - 01604 770024
Everdon Everdon Parent & Toddler Group
Everdon Village Hall, NN11 13:00 - 15:00 : £1 per family Alison: 01327 361811 Building to right of church on main road.
Great Brington Brington Mums & tots
The Reading Rooms, Great Brington, NN7 4JB 9:30 – 12:00; £2; Lucy – 07779 646074 For 0 – 4s. In holidays too!
Kelmarsh Parent & Tots Group
Nagarjuna Centre Cafe, Kelmarsh, NN6 9LZ 12:00 - 14:00; Sarah - 01604 686778 Free drink with every panini order!
Long Buckby Story & Rhyme Time
10:30 - 11:15, Long Buckby Library 01327 701604; Free drop in
Moulton Yoga for Pregnancy
10:30 - 12:30, Brixworth Community Centre 01327 701604; Drop in
Postnatal Group: 14:00 - 15:30 (book) Babies, Bumps and Breastfeeding: 12:30 - 13:30 Brixworth (venues TBC). 01327 701604
Daventry Love Ballet Dance Company
Nene Hall, Tamar Square, NN11 4RB Funky Dance: 16:15 & 16:45 (4-7yrs) Gymnastics: 17:15 (3-6yrs) & 17:45 (7yrs+) Street Dance: 18:15 (8yrs+); ZUMBA: 19:00 Miss Lorraine: 07711 010404 Dance and Gymnastics classes for 3yrs+
Music Bugs
Townsend Memorial Hall, Church St, Clifton Upon Dunsmore 9:30 - 10:10 & 10:30 - 11:10; Fiona Bayliss - 0844 5781017 Music sessions for 0-5s. Book a taster!
Buggy Walk
Starting from Weedon Village Hall 9:30 - 11:00; Free; 01327 264809 Gentle exercise out in the fresh air. Drop in.
Welford Welford Babes & Tots Group
Welford Community Centre, West St, NN6 9:30 - 11:00; 07981 197855; £2 + 50p p/ sibling Open all year. Warm welcome. 1st Session Free
Woodford Halse
Woodford Halse Children’s Centre
Family Morning with H/V: 9:00 - 11:30 Scrivens Hill, NN11 3SU; 01327 264809 Free drop in group
SATURDAYS
Barby Stagecoach Drama School
Barby Primary School 3 hours every Saturday, term time only 01295 760056 or 07887 543168; Drama school for 4yrs+- Act, sing & dance
United Reformed Church, Foundry Place, (next door to Dorothy Perkins) 12:00 - 14:00; 01327 313861 Breastfeeding drop in with Hlth Visitors
Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Rd, NN11 4FP 9:15: 2-3½ yrs; 10:15: 3½-4yrs; 11:10: 5-6yrs Lynne: 01327 310373 Football classes for 18 months to 6 years
Hunny Bees
Adventure World Soft Play
The Family Centre, Staverton Rd 10:00 - 12:00; Free Sally (H/V) - 01327 708819 Group for under 5s with special needs
Monkey Mayhem: 9:30 - 13:00 Adventure World Soft Play: 13:00 -
Hypno-Birthing Introduction Class
Two or More Group (Twins+)
Overstone Park, Northampton 9:45 - 11:15; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim classes for 6m-3yrs. Book!
Claremont Children’s Centre, Claremont Road, Rugby, CV21 3LU 12:00 – 14:00; Rosie - 07772 280302
Daventry Little Kickers
The Old Cart Barn, NN6 9BB 18:30 - 20:00; £48 for 6-week course Lizzy Giles: 07950 573719 Physical & emotional pregnancy support
Overstone Aqualight Swimming
Rugby Rugby Breastfeeding Cafe
Breastfeeding Support Group
17:30 Daventry Leisure Ctre, Lodge Road, NN11 4FP. 01327 871144 AW: £1.65 under 5s; MM: 6-18 mths: £1.45, 18 mths+: £2.90 Soft play fun! Inflatables and frame equipment
Pitsford, near Moulton, Northampton 20:00 - 20:45; free Gill Blayney - 01604 643356 Free introductory Hypno-Birthing class.
Long Buckby Library, Station Road, NN6 7QB 14:45-15:15, 2nd & 4th Fri of mth; Free singing sessions. Termtime only.
The Grange School, Staverton Rd, NN11 4HW 9:30 - 11:30, once a month; Free Liz: 07881911464, Jo: 01327700459 Bump-3yr. Once a month - call for details plse.
Baby / Toddler Music Classes
Children’s Centre, 14 Benbow Cl, NN11 4JP 9:30 - 11:30. Book: 01327 313861
Healthy Cooking on a Budget 9:30 - 11:30: Daventry Scout Hall referral/book: 01327 313861
Long Buckby Long Buckby Rhymetime
Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Road, NN11 9:00 - 17:30; £1.65 <5s. 01327 871144 Please call to check open on weekends
Upper Boddington Love Ballet Dance Company
Upper Boddington Village Hall, Warwick Road Ballet: 9:00 (3-5yrs), 10:15 (5-7yrs), 11:30 (7-9yrs), 13:15 (9-11yrs), 14:00 (11yrs+), 15:00 (12yrs+) Gymnastics: 9:45 (4-6yrs); 11.00 (6-8 yrs), 12.45 (8 yrs+) Street Dance: 12:15 (6-8yrs), 14:30 (9yrs+) Lorraine: 07711 010404
Woodford Halse Dads/Grandads/Uncles Morning
Woodford Halse Children’s Centre, Scrivens Hill, NN11 3SU 10:00 - 12:00; Free; Plse Book: 01327 264809 One Saturday p/month - please call for details
SUNDAYS
Adventure World Soft Play
Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Road, NN11 9:00 - 17:30; £1.65 <5s. 01327 871144 Please call to check open on weekends
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Baby Shops Pink & Blue Baby World
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Website: www.pinkandbluebabyworld.com See full advert on page 22
Breastfeeding Support BabyWays Breastfeeding Support See full advert on page 10
Northants Breastfeeding Support See full advert on page 14
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Little Signers Club
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Kingsthorpe, Grange Park, Hardingstone & Weedon Tel: 07816 484851 e: angie@littlesignersclub.co.uk Website: www.littlesignersclub.co.uk Tots love our interactive classes, bringing signs to life! S
Fun-filled classes for 4 years+ in Northampton See full advert on page 25
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Sing & Sign
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Musical Minis
Musical Monkeys - Entertainment & refreshments
LoveBallet (for 2 years - adult)
Silverstone Pavilion, Church St., Silverstone, NN12 8XA 10:30-11:30am every Thursday. Contact Vanessa Smith Tel: 07917 683330 e: nessie_king@yahoo.co.uk Music, parachute, bubbles, stickers, drinks & cakes!
Dance, Gymnastics & Drama classes, many locations See full advert on pages 38
Move, Make & Do @ Royal & Derngate Fun-filled sessions with dance, music, art & stories See full advert on page 28
Stagecoach Daventry & Rugby
Soccer
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Enrolling now for drama and theatre classes See full advert on page 13
Little Kickers (for 18 mths - 6yrs)
Classes in Northampton, Daventry & Rugby See full adverts on pages 25 & 38
Swimming
Gymnastics
Active Baby Company: Swimming & Massage
Classes across Daventry, Towcester & Northampton See full advert on page 32
GymBugs
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Classes run Mon, Tues & Wed in Northampton See full advert on page 32
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Music
In Grange Park, Brackley, Weedon & Stony Stratford See full advert on page 35
Dance & Drama
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Music Bugs
Classes in Grange Park, Hardingstone & Abington See full advert on page 29
Baby Signing classes across South Northants See full advert on page 36
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L’il Dynos
Aqualight Babies: Swimming & Baby Yoga Classes run all week across Northampton See full advert on page 30
Tumble Tots
Little Turtle Swim Company
Classes in Northampton, Daventry & Rugby See full advert on page 25
Swimming Classes: in Towcester & Milton Keynes See full advert on page 37
Health & Wellness for Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond Baby Steps Pregnancy & Postnatal Belly Dance Classes
The Maple Tree Clinic
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Multidisciplinary clinic in East Hunsbury, NN4 0RZ See full advert on page 17
Tel: 07801 966198 | imogen@phonecoop.coop web: www.openartsurgery.co.uk
Dance to an easier pregnancy, labour and a faster recovery.
ABC Birthing Services
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Mummies Birth Buddy
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HypnoBirthing Practitioner & Doula | 01604 643356 See full advert on page 31
Pregnancy & Postnatal Yoga & Massage, Doula & Belly casting. See full advert on page 33
Yoga for Pregnancy
Pregnancy and Postnatal Yoga | 07950 573719 See full advert on page 38
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Akeley Wood Nursery & School
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Address: Wicken Park, Milton Keynes, MK19 6DA t: 01280 812000 | w: www.akeleywoodschool.co.uk Brand new nursery facility for children from 12 mths See full advert on inside front cover
Party Entertainers Miss Tickle Magic Children’s Entertainer
Alison Williams, 43 Oaklands, Bugbrooke, NN7 3QU Tel: 01604 831483 / 07915 699322 Website: www.missticklemagic.co.uk Children’s Parties Silly Magic, Balloons and lots of fun!
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Shows & Events Northampton NCT Nearly New Sale
Saturday 9th April: 11:15-13:00 (Members 10:30) See full advert on Page 33
The Gruffalo’s Child
Fri 29th April - Sun 1st May @ Royal & Derngate See full advert on Page 29
Chris and Pui Roadshow 2011
Tues 12th April: 11:00 & 13:30 @ Royal & Derngate See full advert on Page 31
Preschools & Playgroups
Sure Start Children’s Centres Brackley Library Children’s Centre
Manor Rd, Brackley, NN13 6AJ | Tel: 01280 841674 See full advert on Page 35
Daventry Cluster Children’s Centre
Benbow Cl., Southbrook, NN11 4JP | 01327 313861 See full advert on Pages 6- 7
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Hackleton Pre-School Playgroup
Open: Mon - Friday; Morning, Lunch and Afternoon Add: Hackleton Village Hall, Chapel Lane, NN7 2AH 07561509635 | www.hackletonpreschoolplaygroup.co.uk Welcoming pre-school children from 2½ years
Towcester Scout Hall Preschool
Open: Mon - Friday, Mornings and Lunch clubs too Add: Baden Powell Crescent, Towcester, NN12 6DS 07890 525116 | contact@towcesterscouthallpreschool.co.uk Established, friendly preschool in the heart of Towcester
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Musical Minis -
Reviews
Read full reviews and many others at www.toddleabout.co.uk/articles
classes across Northants
The class took place in a warm, clean and bright room. Amanda and her assistant were very welcoming, as were all the mums and children who go to the class on a regular basis. We started with Amanda and Melody the puppet singing good morning to all of the children individually with the group joining in. We then sung several songs sitting down and walking around in a circle. Music provided the basis for a ball game, keeping the balls in the circle and kicking them to each other…until the music stopped and all movement stopped too! Lewis saw his fair share of balls and touched them, even though the age range was mixed. Next a large box of instruments was brought out and the children were allowed to make as much noise as they wanted! We finished with a series of rhymes and the ‘Hokey Cokey’, which all the children (and mums!) joined in with wholeheartedly. Overall, Lewis really enjoyed himself and I would highly recommend Musical Minis to anyone whose child is interested in music. Review by Gail Roe. See full advert on p.35 and free trial offer in centre pages.
Yoga for Pregnancy
From the beginning of my pregnancy I assumed that I would need all the medical intervention available to cope with the ordeal of giving birth. I joined Lizzy’s Antenatal Yoga class, because I saw it as something structured and safe for myself and baby. However, I found to my surprise that it was much more. As the weeks have passed I have learned many things that have helped to empower me about birth, including movement, focused breathing and relaxation. Knowing what to expect, and what I can do to help the process, calms the anxieties that I had and I am now looking forward to the birth. I know that giving birth is unpredictable and doesn’t always go to plan, but I now believe that I can have a positive experience. I’m 25 weeks now and it will be a pleasure to continue with the class until my baby arrives. Review by Brenda Jenkins. See advert p. 38
Move, Make
& Do -
Kooch -
Children’s Clothes
I can hand on my heart say that Morag Larsen has blown me away with her new Kooch brand. We were sent an item of clothing for each of our children to review. The packages arrived in brightly coloured parcels, with beautifully personalised labels, which were very exciting to open! On opening, we were delighted with the bright colours, tasteful designs and the overall quality of the products. Alice, 3½, was particularly taken with the designs. One T-shirt depicted a tall, thin building which she pointed out must be where Mr. Skinny lives! She was incredibly keen to wear her T-shirt and show it off to her friends. As well as being stylish, all Kooch’s garments are ethically produced in Africa from 100% high quality cotton, free from chemicals which is reassuring. We are giving Kooch a big, fat 10/10 - it is definitely a brand worth looking at. See advert on p.43 & voucher
Royal & Derngate, Saturdays 2 - 3pm.
In March, we popped down to one of the Move, Make and Do sessions run by the Royal and Derngate theatre, and we really enjoyed ourselves! The sessions are run specifically for under fives and are a rich mix of story telling, interactive role play, singing, dancing and craft activities. Every week, there is a new theme for the session and Miriam, the group leader, becomes a new character. The week we went she was ‘Gnomey’ the gnome. The sessions run for an hour (2 – 3pm every Saturday) and are followed by craft activities. Throughout the hour, Gnomey took us to her pond (a gathering of brightly coloured sheets of blue material) where we sang about the little ducks who swam over the hills and far away. This was quickly followed by the children ‘diving under the water’ to find the ducks, followed by dancing to music, a physical game, then more singing and all interspersed with some expertly crafted story-telling which held the children spell-bound and encouraged their participation. At £5 a child, Move, Make & Do is great value and a lovely afternoon’s entertainment. See advert on p. 28 for more info.
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