MOTHER & TODDLER
Little Steps Gym
Opening on Saturday 8th June 2002, Little Steps Gym offer structured classes with a gymnastic base for children aged 6 months to 5 years.
Classes are split into the following age groups; 6 - 15 months, Under 3's and 3 - 5's. They use specially designed softplay and gym equipment and compliment the BAGA Funfit Scheme (British Amateur Gymnastics Association).
Their classes aim to make exercise fun whilst incorporating simple gymnastics as a base. Each week the classes take on a different theme, e.g. going to the zoo, transport, ways to move, in order to stimulate the child's imagination and build on concentration skills. Older age groups are awarded certificates and badges as an incentive.
The Mother & Baby groups aim to encourage early movement and co-ordination using nursery rhymes, hand held apparatus (balls, bean bags, parachute) and our softplay equipment.All classes currently take place at St. Aidan's Church, The Fairway, Leigh on Sea. They are also running classes throughout the Summer Holidays.
For further information check out their web site at: www.stepsgym.com/LeighOnSea.htm . To book a place, call Karen on 01702 714244 or e-mail her at: leigh-on-sea@stepsgym.com
Leigh Village Nursery
Situated on the corner of Elm Road and Station Road, the secret to this nursery is the baby and toddler gym upstairs. Even if your child doesn’t attend the nursery they can have great fun in the gym once a week for a 45-minute session.
To get a place you need to call the nursery on 01702 480077 and will have to register you child at a cost of around £10. Gym fees are then £13 a month. The gym operates on an age system so under two’s are able to play free from the fear of great big three-year olds crashing down on them.
The gym is light and airy and there is a fantastic range of equipment from a ball pond to soft slides and tunnels. A very clingy toddler known affectionately to me as ‘my daughter’ didn’t look twice at me when we first started yet up until then had never travelled further than my ankle!
Mini-Minstrels
The name in itself just tickles me and I think this has got to be the friendliest of groups around. No pretentious mothers, no little cliques, just lots of smiles and silliness. Basically the children get to learn about music through play.
Each baby has an instrument to jingle at the start, nursery rhymes are sung, then comes a little work where Theresa attempts to get them to understand about notes. Having not one musical bone in my body I’m sure I’m more lost at this stage than the babies but it’s soon rewarded with more fun… in this case a march around the room to the ‘Bear Necessities’.
The group is small and relaxed and each little person is affectionately known as a ‘mini-minstrel’ (aaahhh). At the end the mum’s can have a coffee while the children play and it’s the only group where I’ve actually wanted to do this instead of rushing for the nearest exit.
The age range is anything from a few months to about 3-years. I did find it better when my daughter was walking though (before that crawling to the door and trying to escape while everyone else sang Row, Row, Row Your Boat was more preferable to her.)
Fees are £3.25 a week or you can pay per term or half term at a discount.
The action takes place at Vanda’s Stage School, Fillebrook Avenue, Leigh-on-Sea, every Wednesday from 9.30 to 10am. Call 01702 307173 for more details.
Highlands Kindergarten
Based at Highlands Methodist Church, Sutherland Boulevard, Leigh-on-Sea, this Ofsted approved kindergarten runs Monday - Friday from 9.15am until 12noon. Using traditional favourites such as playdough, painting, games, craft, puzzles and books, learning objectives are achieved through play with key workers. Focus areas for the group include: exploring personal & social development, language & literacy, mathematics, physical & creative development and knowledge & understanding of the World.Davies Dance Centre – Toddler class
This is a great class run by a former Tiller Girl who takes the toddlers – and you – through the paces to classic tunes (long live Agadoo) and pop hits.
It’s a lovely, big, light and airy studio to dance in and the group gets quite busy, yet there’s space for everyone. Age range from 0-months – you can dance babies in you arms – to about 3 years. It probably is better when the child is walking because then they can join in more – and your arms don’t ache so much!
Most of the action takes place in a big circle where mums and little ones do the steps to the Okey Cokey or march in a circle to Following the Leader. Coffee is available for the mums during a break in the hour-long sessions, while juice and sweeties are available for children.
The class runs from Davies Dance centre in Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea on Tuesdays from 1.30 to 2.30 and on Friday’s from 10 to 10.30am.
Other Carer & Toddler groups
All Angels Carers & Toddlers Group, St Michaels All Angels, Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 714902
Belfairs Methodist Church, Eastwood Road, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 413900 (10 - 11.30 Weds)
Dad’s Group, Oasis Cafe, Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 47025
Edward Bear Club, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 710677
Elim Church, Glendale Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 410983 (10 - 12 Thurs)
Highlands Methodist Carer & Toddler Group, Highlands Methodist Church, Sutherland Boulevard, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3TP 01702 713971 (9.30 - 11.30 Mon term-time)
Leigh Road Baptist Church, Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 559903 (10 - 12 & 1.30 - 3.30 Weds)
Lollypops Toddler Group, United Reform Church, Saffory Close, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 5HY 01702 521172
St Clements Church, Rectory Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 476353 (10 - 11.45 Thurs term-time)
St James Church, Elmsleigh Drive, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 471786 (9.30 - 11.15 Thurs term-time)
St Peters RC, Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 74422 (1.45 - 3.30 Fri)
Wesley Church, Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 711851 (10 - 11.30 Weds 1 - 3 1/2yrs)
West Leigh Baptist Church, 1150 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2AJ (10 -12 Mon term-time)
It can be quite daunting going to groups when you don’t know anybody because suprisingly, it is not always that easy to make friends. I think it’s more to do with the fact that a lot of the women who go are quite established with their own friends and that’s fine - just because you’ve all got babies doesn’t mean you have loads in common – but it can be a bit disheartening.
Having said that, your toddlers will probably soon break any ice when they start fighting/ cuddling/ dribbling/ or wiping snot over each other! The best thing to do is be ready with a smile and who knows… your new next best friend could be sitting just feet away.
If you attend any other groups which you think are worth a mention please let us know. We would love to include as many as possible in order to help other mums – or dads – in the area. Just e-mail us at: info@leigh-on-sea.com
Girls & boys go out to play needing a new toy every day, littlel darlings their needs are so great, a very expensive hobby at this rate, a fairy godmother then appears whose rates won't cause any arrears, her toys are safe & strong, for a small fee her help can't be wrong. Slides, seesaws, kitchens, easels, workshops, cosy coupe cars & much much more!!!!! Membership £10.00, rent a toy from just 50p per day, delivery is free, for ages 6 months to 5 years, helping the community, Call Suzanne today on 01702 213355 or 07967704311. A great idea for the children of Leigh.
Pregnancy & Post Natal Yoga
Local British Wheel of Yoga trained Yoga tutor who has been teaching for nearly 30 years in this area. Now specialises in pregnancy and post natal yoga (and one to one in peoples homes), mainly in the Leigh and Hadleigh area. See website, www.lindabeach.co.uk if you would like to find out more.
Private Antenatal Classes