Mum’s the word It’s time for a social recall as restrictions lift and toddler and baby events finally get to reopen their doors. A report released by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) earlier this year showed that new mums, both during and after pregnancy, have been faced with a greater likelihood of poor mental health due to the pandemic. These results will come as no surprise to many. New parenthood is lifechanging for a whole host of reasons. With playgroups having been closed since March 2020, forming friendships, support networks and finding somewhere to go to entertain your little-one has become all that harder. With restrictions lifting there’s no better time to get you and bump, baby or toddler out of those four walls and into one of our beloved local playgroups and toddler events. We’ve put together a list of our favourites to grab a much needed cuppa and chat with other mums at, while your little one plays with their peers. Carer & Toddler Group at St Marys Church, Staines – Wednesdays (10am – 12pm). Donations of £2 per family. Re-opening Weds 15th September. This longstanding playgroup has been run by the same group of lovely ladies for nearly 40 years and is highly recommended. With a baby area and toddler toys, ride-on toys in the church, painting table, book corner, a very catchy song time with Ellen on the guitar and a themed craft rounding off the session, there is much to do while you drink your cuppa and sprog enjoys their fruit (all included). Diddy Disciples follows for those wanting to stay for a bible story. Contact: www.stmaryandstpeterstaines.co.uk Toddler Tuesdays at Christ Church, Staines – Tuesdays term time (9.30am -11.30am). £2 per adult with up to 2 children. Re-opening 14th September. One of our favourite things about this playgroup is when the little ones sit around children’s tables together at snack-time and enjoy fruit and a drink
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Sunbury Garden Play
(all included in the price). The baby area, an array of toddler toys including a bouncy castle and arts and craft tables will provide plenty of opportunity for you to sip your tea before song time at the end of the session. Contact: via their Facebook group. Coffee Pot at Open Door Church, Sunbury – Tuesdays term time (10.30 – 12.30). Admission free. Re-opening soon. With free entry and the best spread around, we’d recommend arriving when doors open at 10.15, as there is limited capacity. Peter Puppet leads song time before children get comfy on beanbags and listen to a bible story. Craft and toys are also on offer to enjoy. Contact: www.opendoorchurchsunbury.com Pebble Rhymetime at the Library, Ashford – Weds, Friday, Saturdays (10.30-11am). Stanwell – Saturdays (10.30-11am). Staines – Monday, Weds, Thurs, Saturday (10.30 – 11am). Admission free. Re-opening soon. Offering half an hour of music and rhymes to sing along to for free, visiting your local library is a great way to break up running errands with your tot in town, be it in Staines, Ashford, Sunbury, Egham or Stanwell. You can also pop in to one of the free half an hour Storytime sessions, too. Contact: www.surreycc.gov.uk/libraries/yourlibrary Crazy Hazy Song Time at Sunbury Methodist Church, Sunbury - Wednesdays (10.00- 10.45) or St Michael’s Church, Ashford – Thursdays (9.30-10.15 or 10.30 –11.15). From £6 per child. Warm up the vocal cords at this fun and lively children’s song group for 4months to 4years old. Youngsters will be encouraged to sing and dance to an array of songs following children’s entertainer Crazy Hazy’s actions using props and
The Local Magazine for Ashford, Laleham and Staines Upon Thames
