Hello everyone,
This is the first newsletter I have written for a long time, and it feels so good to write to you all again! I hope you and all your loved ones are safe and well and are adjusting to our current way of living without too much difficulty. It was really sad for me to stop writing the newsletter, when we were all told to stay at home. I felt the burden for all stages of motherhood. Those of us with school age children, trying to homeschool, those of us with toddlers no longer able to burn their energy and socialise in well loved playgroups, and those of us with little babies, not able to have those mummy coffees where you start to make mummy friends and find yourself discussing lactation with someone you just met! It's been hard for all of us, no one has been unaffected, and we tried as mothers to not show our overwhelm at the situation and remain strong for our children. Charlie had to have an isolation 9th birthday, but I told him he will always remember it, and be one of the special children that had a lockdown birthday. How we see the world will always rub off on our children. Currently, we're only allowed to meet in groups of 6. I personally feel that this unfairly disadvantages families, so if you would like to see England come into line with Scottish and Welsh law, and not include children under 12 in the 'rule of 6', you might consider signing this petition, that already has over 130,000 signatures. Unfortunately most of over beloved free and affordable playgroups are yet to run, so I've compiled as comprehensively as I can, a list of what is available at the moment. Chelsea Physic Garden are opening their doors free of charge, exclusively for Chelsea History Festival this weekend, so book your tickets here.
Playgrounds
I've put the postcodes in, so they are easier to find, as many don't have websites or exact addresses.
St Jame's Park Playground SW1A 2BJ
Page Street SW1P 4EN (Great for under 4's due to the soft rubber ground surface)
Horseferry SW1P 3GE
Causton Street SW1P 4HX
Grosvenor SW1P 4HB
Tachbrook Street SW1V 2LZ
Abbots Manor SW1V 4JW
Hyde Park Playground W2 2AR
Diana Memorial Playground W2 4RU
St Luke's SW3 6NH
Battersea Park Playground SW11 4NJ
Archbishop's Park SE1 7JF
Jubilee Gardens SE1 7JA
Playground Buddy is a great app available on iphone and android for finding a playground near you, wherever you are.
Outdoor Venues and Activities
Chiswick House and Gardens - The house is closed, but the gardens are open to enjoy along with the cafe and toilet facilities.
Swimming Lessons
Paid classes and activities
Monkey Music - Music classes, for 3 months - 5 years
Hartbeeps - Interactive music and sensory classes from Birth - 5 years
Bach to Baby - Live music concerts for babies and toddlers. online streaming also available.
Regal Ballet - Ballet classes, from ages 18 months - 13 years
Dakoda's Dance Academy - Ballet, hip hop and performing arts for ages 2- 17 years.
Little Kickers - Football classes for age 18 months - 7 years
Little Foxes - Football classes, for ages from 18 months to 14 years
Teddy Tennis - Tennis lessons for ages 2 -5 years.
Kids En Cuisine - Children's cooking classes, also now home baking kits available through your door. for ages 20 months - 10 years.
Petit Pierrot - Children's French classes, available in person and online, ages 3-8 years.
Online
Mini Mozart - Live, online music classes as well as in-person classes, from birth - 4 years
Mama Codes - Coding for 3 -11 year olds
Circle of Security, Hosted by Bessborough Family Hub - Helping parents understand and respond to their child’s emotional needs. Please contact Shofa Miah for this 0207 641 3010 smiah@westminster.gov.uk
Westminster is at the heart of London and contains a wide variety of green spaces for you and the little ones to enjoy. http://myparks.westminster.gov.uk/
Please look after yourselves and stay safe.
Jen xx
Jen Solomon
SW1 Mum