New playgroup (Forest Hill)

[Clare11]

Hello everyone, I just wanted to pass on some details of a new playgroup I went to on Thursday with my son. It's in Forest Hill, on Sunderland road at the Friends House and runs from 1-3 for only ?8, and is run by a really lovely lady with lots of childcare and play-learning experience.

I've been looking for an 'old school' playgroup for a while, just somewhere where my son and I just can play and explore different toys and experiences that we don't have at home.

It's called Marmalade Time and has only been running three weeks!

[Live4mykids]

?8?? What is included in that apart from playing with toys?

[Clare11]

Well every week she said there would be an activity like making play doh or something.

Are you saying its a rip off?

[Pickle]

That is quite expensive for one child - playgroups I've been to in the past range from ?1 (which includes tea/coffee/biscuit for caregivers, and tend to be the more traditional playgroups) to ?5 for the more structured "classes" such as music, Little Bubbles, cooking etc. ?8 is expensive if it's nothing more than a playgroup.

[Clare11]

Oh.

Could you send me some details Pickle. My son is 5 months and this is my first experience with playgroups.

Obviously it sounds pricey now.

And there wasn't tea or cakes.

There's just so much out there, sometimes it's hard to know what's a good deal.

[Pickle]

I'm a little out of the loop these days as my children are at school, but some of the nice ones I used to go to were the Goose Green centre on Thursday mornings (cheap, lots of good toys, tea/coffee etc.), Bookstart sessions at the community centre (part of the estate on Lordship Lane) on Wednesday mornings (free), baby & toddler sessions at Dulwich Library (also free, but I can't remember which days these were).

There are also a lot of local singing/music groups for babies/toddlers which generally work out at around ?5 a class if you're after something a bit more structured.

There are bound to be lots of others, hopefully some people with younger babies will add to the list!

Good luck, there's loads out there to do with a small baby and it's a great way to meet other Mums and babies.

P x

[Fuschia]

All saints Peckham on a weds

Went to a nice session 1-3 at the childrens Ctre Bessemer grange, Thursday this week

I only go to free or very cheap things really!

[oimissus]

second All Saints on Blenheim Grove. Baby Sensory is lovely for little ones, not the cheapest (though not as steep as this) but you're not doing anything that you'd do at home, which made it feel more worth it. Google Baby Sensory to find a class. Tippee Toes music at All Fired Up ceramics cafe has a baby class (though it might be from 6 months), can't remember which day (Thurs?), ?3. There's also things on in the libraries, if you go to the children's bit on the Southwark Council website there's a bit for under 5s and you can download a brochure listing these, and a lot of other playgroups etc in the area.

[Ruth_Baldock]

Thirding all saints on a Wednesday; lovely church run group, everyone is v laid back and friendly. Also they do song time and the bloke who plays the guitar is easy on the eye (what?! Don't judge me!!!!!)

[clarebells]

Wow ?8 is steep.

But it is nice, are the toys clean, is it in a place where you think 'oh I could live here its so comfy and nice'?

I would pay for that.

[hwebb]

Here's a link to The Sydenham Forum http://forum.sydenham.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=6722&p=52186 with more stuff to do in the Forest Hill area. We're also loving rhyme time in Grow Mayow garden, Mayow Park. It's ?1.50 per family plus a few coins for tea and biscuits afterwards from 10.15am on Tuesdays.

[mrs f]

Tippiee toes is 10am Wed & thurs mornings in all fired up & is from 3 months. It's ?3 for singing, parachute, puppets etc... Then stay & play after.

Bumps & babes goose green mon am

Albrighton mon pm stay & play (free)1:30-3

Bumps & babes fri am st faiths ?1

The new playgroup advertised here on fri am

Mon am 10:30-11 grove vale rhyme time free

[oimissus]

oh yes, the music man at All Saints is lush! Wednesday mornings there's also Baby Gym at Sydenham Hill Community Hall, ?1 (no buff music man though . . . )

[Fuschia]

What happens at baby gym?

[Ruth_Baldock]

Oh phew, oimissus, glad it's not just me who fancies The Music Man...

[oimissus]

Baby Gym - the hall is set up with load of mats, stuff to climb over, under, ball pool, trampoline, stuff for babies, tunnel, little climbing frame and slide. Safe enclosed place for babies who are just on the move (it's for under 5's but I think it's particularly good for crawling / just walking babies).

[Gussy]

What the blonde-ish guy on the guitar? Are you serious?!

[oimissus]

no, no, he's left to be a missionary in Argentina or something. Oooh, you'll have to come along to check the new guy out.

[Fuschia]

Think

Might try that bSby gym

Next week with Baby

Do you know what the times are/ is there parking

Thanks

[oimissus]

I think it's 10-11.30 (definitely starts at 10). You can park on Sydenham Hill outside the community hall, it's near the junction with Crescent Wood Road.

[Ruth_Baldock]

Yeah, Gussy, come and have an ogle! He's got a 'glint'in his eye. Nice. He also commented to me that my, frankly, insane toddler had an excellent sense of rhythm. Swoooooon!

[Gussy]

Was gonna say ladies I'm sure blonde man was a lovely guy but not my cuppa! I used to go every week to this group as its got great space but I've since moved and it's a tad too far for me now. Enjoy!

Ps there's also a baby gym at Honor oak community centre- not far from ivy dale on alternate Fridays, needs booking, but is ?1 per family. Great value for my 2.

[Fuschia]

Gussy

Gave you got a contact no/times?

[Gussy]

Hi F, the number to book is 0208 314 7512. There's 2 sessions, 10-11am and 11-12 noon. 50 Turnham Rd, SE4 2JD. Flyer thing says ?1 per child actually (still v.cheap!). Its on this Friday.