|
Haircuts:
Bianca at Daniel Adams (209 Haverstock Hill, Belsize Park NW3 4QG, 0207 794 4034) She did a lovely
job on my wiggly 3 year-old and was very cheerful to boot. £15 without tip during the week and £26 on Saturday.
Recommended by one mother with 4 children, Tracy will cut
children's and babies' hair in the comfort of your own home! Call 07973504552. Under 4s, £13 and 4+
£15.
Half-Term: The following have special half-term activities; also see the "SUMMER" page. Please be aware that most
of the big museums are jam-packed. Avoid the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Transport Museum.
Kentish Town Farm and the London Zoo (see "Animals")
both tend to have special events on during half-term and Holloween. If the weather is nice, the Zoo tends to open its
bouncy castle and bouncy slide. Kentish Town Farm: (www.ktcityfarm.org.uk) 1 Cressfield Close, NW5 4BN. 0207 916 5421. Open 9-5, seven days a week. About a 20 minute walk from Belsize Park
Tube station (C11 drops you not far off) and it's a bit tricky to find so consult a map before setting off.
Talacre
(see gymnastics for contact details): Baby and toddler gymnastics TBA
One O'clock Club: (see playgroups) open as usual though all others will be closed.
Royal Airforce Museum (www.rafmuseum.org.uk) It's pretty big and out of the way so it's just about doable during half-term. Check the website
to see if they have any activities that your child might be interested in.
Daunt Books and Waterstones (see Books) tend to continue with their story hour.
Drop offs Crafty
Kids: (Debbie@dbourne.wanadoo.co.uk or 0207 483 155) Art workshops for ages 2-4 run by Ofsted-approved childcare
provider in Belsize park, Debbie plans to build rockets and paint with toothbrushes, make glove monsters and pasta jewelry.
Centerstage School:
(www.centrestageschool.co.uk): 0207 328 0788 Saturday and holiday classes in drama, singing and acting held
at Trinity Walk, Maresfield Gardens, NW3 5SQ, Hampstead for 3 to seven year-olds.
Creative Movements:
6/8 Kemplay Rd., Hampstead 020 7435 8217(www.creativemovements.co.uk). From 10 months, classes incorporate dance (i.e. running around for the wee ones) with storytelling.
Weekly classes as well as holiday and half-term classes.
Dramarama, Dramatots: (www.dramarama.co.uk) 0208 4460891. Holiday and half-term drama courses for 3-4 year-olds 10 am-1 pm (pack a lunch), held at South
Hampstead High School.
League One: Football course for girls and boys aged 3 to 11 years old. 0208 446 0891
UCS Active (www.ucsactive.org.uk) Frognal, Hampstead NW3 6XH 0207 433 2121 On the University College School campus. Also,
Paul Dillon Swimming holds 5 day intensive one-to-one swim programs. 0207233 9415 or enquiries@pdsc.co.uk.
Homoeopathic medicines, services:
Belsize
Health: (16 England's Lane NW3 4TG, 0207 483 2345). Children's homeopathic drop-in clinic from 4pm
to 5pm: 15-minute consultation for 10 pounds.
House of Mistry in South End Green (close to the Starbucks) also has everything you could possibly
want in this category.
Nicky Lee Homoeopath and Nutritionist for pregnant women, newborns, infants and children. breast-feeding problems, colic,
reflux, teething and recurrent infections. www.nickylee-homoeopath.co.uk or 020 7794 7753. Recommended by a local parent.
HORSES: Kentish
Town Farm: 1 Cressfield Close, NW5 4BN. 0207 916 5421. Horse-back rides on Saturday and Sunday at
1pm -- a pound buys you two trips around the track. About a 20 minute walk from Belsize Park Tube station (C11 drops
you not far off) and it's a bit tricky to find so consult a map before setting off.
Indoor activities: The following list includes drop-in indoor facilities:
- Talacre
Treetops: Dalby Street 0207 9748765 Huge soft-play climbing frame. (www.camden.gov.uk/sport).Term-time under-fives only from 9-12.
- Talacre "Baby Gym": Term-time 10:30-11:30 Mon.-Friday
- Swiss
Cottage Leisure Centre Soft Play. "Rascals" soft play climbing frame Adelaide Road, 0207 974 2012 also
try 0207 482 2834 www.camdenswisscottage.co.uk ). Monday-Friday 10-6, Saturday and Sunday 10- 2:30. Also see "Gymnastics"
for Toddlers World
- Topsy Turvy. Brent Cross Shopping Centre. Huge soft play area that also
holds singing and art classes for the little ones. A really good choice for week-day mornings but I don't advise
it post 3 pm or on weekends. There is parking and it's surprisingly easy to get there by public transport. An
eight minute walk from Hendon Central on the Northern line or a rather long journey on the C11. Various busses stop there
from the Finchley Rd.
- see "playgroups" and "Libraries"
- London Zoo: A number of indoor areas, inluding Web of Life, Reptile House and Aquarium
(see Zoo.)
Language:
Ma Petite Ecole Limited, Classes for French or Italian little speakers -- they
learn to read and write properly in those languages. The Rosary, 238 Haverstock Hill, Belsize Park, NW3 2AE Saturday mornings,
Italian : 10h30-11h30, French : 10h00-12h00 (french classes on thursday afternoons at a different location). From 3 and a
half years old onwards. £10 per hour for first kids, £7 per hour for siblings CONTACT DETAILS: Italian: Ms Silvia
La Greca (Mob: 07958 076704. email: silvia.lagreca@yahoo.co.uk)), French: Ms Florence Zinzen (Mob: 079 4196 4609, email: MaPetiteEcole@yahoo.fr) Belsize
Library: Antrim Rd. NW3 4XN. Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Heath Library: Keats Grove NW3 2RR. Swiss
Cottage Central Library: Avenue Rd, NW3 3HA. Open Monday-Saturday.
Lice Removal:
Lice to See You: They remove lice and train you on how to spot and prevent further infestations in just a few hours. Natural products, flexible appointments. Call
Melanie on 07950 811285.
Massage (baby):
Belsize Health: (16 England's Lane, Belsize Park NW3 4TG, 0207 483 2345).
Belsize Health offers many different types of therapies, for children and adults, as well as a range of organic baby
products. Massage classes available on a group or individual basis.
Hampstead Group Practice: 77 Fleet Rd. Baby massage class run by Lisa, a health visitor. Call Lisa on
0207 530 4637 for information.
Mums with Tots (www.mumswithtots.com) offers First Aid, Pilates, Yoga, Baby
Massage, Beauty Treatments. Contact Pamela
on 07943 953850 or email pam@mumswithtots.com
Movies: Scream! Parent and Baby Screenings at the Everyman Cinema in Hampstead and Belsize Park
for parents with babies up to 12 months. Hampstead – Thursday 12.00pm and 3.00pm, Belsize Park – Tuesday
11.30am. www.everymancinema.com.
Music:
------------------------------------------------advertising
----------------------
 Babies and children! Join Caroline and Neal at their guitar accompanied drop-in singalongs at various locations
in NW3. And then bring home their CDs, which are also available at selected shops. See www.greenmeansgo.co.uk for venues and times, as well as ordering online.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C# Minors: folk dance,
songs, music and singing games for 4 - 5 year olds. Tuesdays 4 -- 4:45 at Cecil Sharp House 2 Regents Park Rd., Primrose Hill, nw1
7ay 0207 485 2206 www.efdss.orgClassical Concerts for Babies: The O2 Centre Community venue.
Chamber music for babies and carers -- once a month on Fridays at 11 am. Tickets £8 adult + baby. Duration: approx 45 minutes. Contact: classicalbabies@yahoo.com. Tel: 07966 446152
Gymboree: (O2 Centre Swiss Cottage 0207 794 8719) Art, music
and movement classes for children and parents from birth to 5. (see ad in term-time day planner.)
Culture Kids: (www.culture-kids.com) Mia Holman
Telephone: 020 8540 4203. Music, singing, dance and lots and lots of toys/instruments
from all over the world. Small classes held at the Pizza Express on Heath Street in Hampstead on Tuesday and
Wednesday. Particularly good if you have a baby and a toddler/preschooler. (see ad on front page)
Caroline's Singalong "Minibeat": A very, very popular Belsize Park institution, Caroline entertains babies and pre-schoolers alike with her guitar-accompanied
singalongs. Caroline holds court for 45 minutes at the annex next to St. Dominic's Church on Malden Rd. on Thurdays (9:30,
10:30 and 11:30) and at the Royal Free Recreation Centre on Fridays at the same times. Pay as you go. See www.greenmeansgo.co.uk for information about Neal and Caroline's childrens' music CDs.
Jabberjacks: St. Andrews United Reform Church Hall, Frognal, Hampstead
NW3 7DY. Puppets, bubbles, music and ryhmes for babies and preschoolers. Thursday 1:30.
Musical Baby Bonding:
A 4 lessons course for mothers and babies from 9 weeks. "We learn some special musical activities that support
babies' learning and communication skills development and how to integrate them into the daily routine." NW6 - behind
Waitrose. Fridays, 11:00 -12:30 for babies aged 8+ months
Mondays, 11:00-12:30 for babies aged 9+ weeks.www.musicalbabybonding.com
Mini Mozart (newborns – 3 years) Live Music Classes for Babies
& Toddlers with Piano Accompanist, Orchestral Musicians, Percussion, Interactive Story, Bubbles & Parachute.
Email
clare@minimozart.com for more information or visit www.minimozart.com
Monkey Music run classes from age 3 months to 4 years in Primrose Hill,
Belsize Park, Hampstead Village, West Hampstead,
Queens Park, Notting
Hill, Holland Park and Kensington Church Street. For further
information and to book your
free trial session please contact Helen
Beach on 020 8451 7626.
New
Singsong group with instruments and bubbles at Kentish Town Farm on Mondays 9:30
and 10:30 sessions for ages 0-5, cost is £3 (£2) on drop-in basis. (www.ktcityfarm.org.uk) 1 Cressfield Close, NW5 4BN. 0207 916 5421. About a 20 minute walk from Belsize Park Tube station (C11
drops you not far off) and it's a bit tricky to find so consult a map before setting off. See A to Z section for more
information on Kentish Town Farm.
Songsters with Neal: Fleet Community Centre on Fleet Rd. Guitar-accompanied old
favorites. (Monday and Wednesday morning sessions 9:30 am and 11 am). See www.greenmeansgo.co.uk for information about Neal and Caroline's childrens' music CDs. Pay as you go.
OBGYN: Mr. Demetrios
Economides (www.myscan.co.uk 0207 435 5417) Delivered both my boys and lots of my friends' children. (NB: While I like him, you
may not! Please satisfy yourself that he's the doctor for you. Legalese: I take no responsibility.)
Optometrists: Perspecitive Optometrists Dr. Rupal Shah 0207 586 5508, 8 Englands Lane, Belsize
Park NW3 4TG
Organic children's products:
Blue Daisy
(South End Green -- next to Starbucks, 0207 681 4144) Brand-new high-end shop that specializes in rather useful stuff like
all-in-one bathing suits, backpacks, wooden toys, organic baby products crayons etc... Good for new baby presents and for
difficult-to-find items. C11, 46, 24, 168, 268 -- all go through South End Green.www.blue-daisy.com
Pomona: (179 Haverstock Hill, opposite Belsize Park tube, 0207 916 2676.) Organic baby food, soaps, sunblock etc.
Belsize Health:
(16 England's Lane NW3 4TG, 0207 483 2345). Belsize Health offers many different types of therapists, for children
and adults, as well as a range of organic baby products.
House of Mistry (South End Green): Organic
and homeopathic medicines and products.
Osteopathy:
Cranial Osteopathy for Babies- home visits available. Avni Trivedi
BOst MSc Paed Ost 07961 123 719.
CHARLOTTE
ROBIN: Osteopathic treatments for babies and adults: Colic, reflux, lower back pain, pelvic pain and other pregnancy
and post partum symptoms. Nicky Sharp Clinic, 260 East End Road, London, N2.
Parks
and playgrounds:
Antrim
Gardens: Opposite Belsize Library on Antrim Rd. A lovely little local park with a two
swings and a climbing frame. It's of no interest to the over-five crowd so it's perfect for the little ones.
A very good place to meet local mothers/nannies with babies and toddlers. Unstaffed and no toilets but the library opposite
(not open every day) will let you use theirs if you look sufficiently desperate. NB: very,
very hot when the sun shines.
Golders
Hill Park: North End Rd. This lovely park is on the edge of Hampstead and Golders Green and while it is
possible to walk from Belsize Park/Hampstead, the 268 bus lands you at the front gates. The park has a little zoo, duck ponds,
a well-maintained playground/sandpit and very nice cafe. Probably my favorite.
The Heath: there are two large enclosed areas for children: Parliament Hill,
which is close to the running track, and one near the Heath parking lot at the corner of Willow road and Devonshire Hill.
Parliament Hill: Fabulous
new playground with lots for all different age groups and shaded areas for picnics There are toilets and it's
staffed. The paddling pool (it's a about a foot high in the middle, with a gentle slope) is a must during the summer. Willow Road: There are swings (both bucket-style for babies and regular),
a large sandpit, balance beam and climbing frame. The green-space is lovely but if it's been raining a
lot it turns into a swamp as drainage is almost non-existant. A good place to meet other mothers/carers. No toilets and
unstaffed. During the spring/summer, icecream truck hangs out outside the gate.
Primrose Hill Playground: (Opens at 10 am and closing time depends on the
month. There are toilets and it's staffed.) Lots of swings, climbing frames, merry-go-rounds and slides, which means lots
and lots of older children. It can get pretty manic on weekends and after school but it's well worth visiting
in the morning.
Photography:
Parklife
- contemporary portrait photography. Recommended by one mother of 4. Fun and fuss-free private outdoor sessions -
currently free (normally £100) if booked before end October. Special group rates. Studio: 02030690144 M: 07812488001
www.parklifephotography.co.uk parklifephotography@yahoo.co.uk
Children Smiles Photography: We specialise in portrait photography (families,
children, mum-to-be) and shoot exclusively on location for your own comfort. Sessions start at £80/hour. www.childrensmiles.co.uk ; by email at thespira@gmail.com or call Carine on 07734301090.
Pilates (also
see Exercise or gyms) Mums With Tots (www.mumswithtots.co.uk) offers Pilates classes at the Swiss
Cottage Community Centre (£10 per session, paid in advance.) The class is taught by Biba Singh, a pilates foundation
teacher. Mondays at 10-11am. Call 07943 953850. Crèche provided.
Pilates
Control: Pilates by Maria. www.pilatescontrol.co.uk/ 0207 7586 2286 or 0781 461 9529
Playgroups: By playgroup, I mean drop-in centres, where parents and carers stay with their children and make use of the toys
and facilites. Pay as you go. There are many more in Primrose Hill and Kentish Town (see Surestart) see "the Basics"
page for online info on Camden playgroups.
Hampstead
Community Centre: 78 Hampstead High Street, 0207 794 8313. Opens Tuesday-Thursday 10-12 TERM-TIME ONLY. No outdoor
space but lots of toys and activites -- music on Tuesday and crafts on Wednesday. Term-time only.
9:30
to 10:45 on Fridays term-time Ivy House Toddlers (London Jewish Cultural Centre) provides a fun, friendly
and safe environment for children under four to come and play, sing and dance (while parents, carers chat or socialize). A
wide selection of toys and sing along complete with puppets, instruments and of course Challah! www.ljcc.org.uk, admin@ljcc.org.uk or 020 8457 5000 96 North End Rd. NW11, which is very close to Golders Hill Park. 268 bus goes right past
Kentish Town Farm:
(www.ktcityfarm.org.uk) 1 Cressfield Close, NW5 4BN. 0207 916 5421. Has various playgroups during the week so worth checking
their website.
Thursday mornings - Mini
mischief at St. John's Church, Downshire Hill NW3 1NU. Playgroup for 2s and under. Lovely rooms
and good location. Please contact Isobel Mott at 0207 099 9360 if you would like to attend. Close to
46 and 268 bus stop opposite police station on Rosslyn Hill.
One
O'Clock Club: (In the Heath just down from the playground. Opens 10-12 and 1-3:45 weekdays; also open
half-terms and summer time.) Indoor-outdoor toys, sandpit, painting, crafts and singing. The train track opposite
the centre provides endless entertainment. For £1, it's a bargain.
Swiss
Cottage Community Centre: 19 Winchester Rd. NW3 3NR. 0207 586 5272. Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1-3. Term-time.
Baby corner, arts and crafts, playdough. Term-time only.
Three Acres Community Play Project: 29-31 Parkhill Rd. Nw3 2YH 0207 722 0331/3812. Open 8:30-6 pm
for 5-12 year-olds. On-site football pitch, tennis court, large hall, art room. There's also an after school club as well
as a parent and toddler club on Thursdays at 1:30. Term-time only.
Pools: also see "Swimming"
Archway Pool:
(www.aquaterra.org 0207 281 4105) Public, pay-as-you-go. Both the tube and the C11 stops right in front of this wave pool
with bubbles and slides. Very cold water on occasion.
Esporta: (0207 644 2424) O2 centre, Swiss Cottage, on the Finchley Rd. Private health
club with all mod cons plus swimming pool, creche and childrens' activities. C11, 268 go
near or past.
Marriott Hotel : (0207 722 7711) Both adults and children need to take out a membership to use the
pool. But they will accept £10 for adults and £5 for kids for the day, so long as they are not too busy.
Paddling Pool and Lido: The free paddling pool next to the playground in Parliament Hill
(in the Heath) is a God-send on hot summer days and the planned shady areas are a welcome addition. It's about a foot-and-a
half at its deepest and slopes down gradually. Do not assume you will be alone. The outdoor pool (Lido) is near the running
track. NOW OPEN FOR SUMMER 2010
Swiss Cottage Pool (Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, Adelaide Road, 0207 974 2012 (Leisure Centre) also try 0207 974
5440 for Swim Club www.camdenswisscottage.co.uk ). Brand-new facilites make this a very popular choice. At the moment, the warm (and fairly shallow) teaching
pool is open to the public Mon.- Fri. 3:30 to 5. Better ring before going as teaching pool distressingly is broken quite
often. Main pool is very cold and unless your children can swim laps to keep warm, they'll probably not last
long before they want to come out!
Swiss
Cottage Fountains: (Behind the Leisure Centre) Water jets and sloping cement fountain provide some relief from
summer heat but it's often not working. Call the parks and open spaces (Camden) department to find out:
0207 974 1693.
REFLUX:
CHARLOTTE ROBIN: Osteopathic treatments for babies and adults: Colic, reflux,
lower back pain, pelvic pain and other pregnancy and post partum symptoms. Nicky Sharp Clinic, 260 East End Road,
London, N2.
Nicky Lee Homoeopath and
Nutritionist for pregnant women, newborns, infants and children. breast-feeding problems, colic, reflux, teething and
recurrent infections. www.nickylee-homoeopath.co.uk or 020 7794 7753. Recommended by a local parent.
Schools: The complete
list of primary schools, preschools, nurseries and nursery schools can be found at www.camden.gov.uk (look under the "education" then "schools" section.) The Camden Information Under 5s booklet
(phone 0207 974 1679 for a copy) also contains information about nurseries. See www.ofsted.gov.uk for reports on the various nurseries and preschools. Also see the "Selecting Nurseries
and Primary Schools" section.
Singing : see Music
Signing:
British Sign Language Day Care: A brand-new
program of full or half day day care for deaf and hearing children 0-2, bilingual English and British Sign Language.
Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children, Harley Rd., NW3 3BN, 0207 586 4665. www.fbarnes.camden.sch.uk C11 stops right in front, 268 not far. Located opposite the Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre.
Ski: If you have an
under-5, i have one word for you: DON'T. Five is about the earliest you want to start them unless he/she has an older
sibling. Tears, tantrums and worse await the over-eager parent unless you have a particularly sturdy child. If you want to
ski and are looking for full-time childcare, avoid the chains and go for small family-run hotels that are not staffed by very
young (poorly paid, possibly hung-over) teenagers. I can personally recommend Hotel Alphubel in Saas Fee, Switzerland www.hotelalphubel.ch. Look at www.mumsnet.com for other suggestions on family ski places. Feel free to email me with your favorites.
STORY TELLING:
Belsize Library (Antrim
Rd): New story session 11-11:30 on Wednesdays.
Daunt Books (South End Green) has nice little reading nooks with childrens' books. Story Hour on Thursdays at 4pm.
Waterstones (68-69 Hampstead High Street Nw3
1QP, 0207 794 1098) Story time on Tuesdays 4-4:30 up to age 5-6. Four books and a little
song and dance at the end.
Swimming (see also "Pools"):
Aquatots at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre 0207 974 2012, Adelaide Rd. For babies and children
0-4. C11 goes past, 46 and 268 not very far.
Camden Swiss Cottage Swimming Club (Swiss Cottage
Leisure Centre, Adelaide Road, 0207 974 2012 also try 0207 482 2834 www.camdenswisscottage.co.uk ). Brand-new facilites so already pretty booked up. Non-parent attended swimming lessons from age 4.
Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre Baby Swim, Adelaide Road, 0207
974 2012 Baby swimming class from September.
Marriott Hotel : 0207 722 7711-- Adelaide Rd., Swiss Cottage) Both
adults and children need to take out a membership to use the pool for regular use. I am told that you can pay £10 pp
to use the pool but sometimes that's not possible so you may want to call in advance. Rules change so let me know
if pay-as-you go is no longer an option.
UCS Active (www.ucsactive.org.uk) Frognal, NW3 6XH 0207 433 2121 On the University College School campus. Lessons and kids'
splash time for members. Paul Dillon Swimming 0207233 9415 or enquiries@pdsc.co.uk.
Travel:
Tots Too: www.totstoo.com : The director of this travel service, which specializes in spa resorts with facilities for babies and children,
is a local mother. . You'll get a 5% discount if you mention this website. If anyone uses Tots Too, I'd be curious
to hear about it.
Taxis (with built-in
car seats):
Addison Lee: 0207387 8888. They have people carriers available with built-in car seats for over ones, but you must tell
them your requirements when booking. Very good for airport runs.
Capital
Radio Cars 0207 813 8888. A Primrose Hill minicab company, Capital Radio will provide an under-one
car seat for a whopping £15 on top of their usual fare. Might still be less expensive than a black taxi for airport
runs. If anyone knows of other taxi companies with seats for under ones, please let me know.
MK
Airport Services:Car service to all London airports with car seats available from newborn to older children. Saloon,
estate and Multi Person Vehicles (MPV’s) capable of carrying up to seven people in comfort. Recommended by Steffi at
NW3Kids, who uses this service whenever she goes to the airport. +44 77 438 462 53 +44 208 209 11 94 e-mile mango@wp.pl
Tennis:
Globe Tennis Club: 190 Haverstock Hill,
NW3 2AL (next door to Belsize Park Tube Station.) www.londontennisacademy.com .Very popular half-hour to hour-long classes for 3 1/2 to 5 year-olds. Call Gaddo Guidotti on 07837
720736 or gaddo9@hotmail.com.
Tennis at Talacre Sports Centre: New classes on Friday afternoons for 3s and older. Dalby
Street NW5 0207 9748765. Term-time.
Taekwondo:
Hwarang Academy holds classes at the Swiss Cottage Community Centre on Winchester Rd. See www.taekwondo-London-2012.com or call Daniel 079410 81009 or 0845 157 1168 or for details. Martial arts from age 5. Has
summer camp.
Trampoline: at Talacre Community Sports Centre: Dalby Street, NW5 0207 9748765 (www.camden.gov.uk/sport). Drop-in Thursday 4-5pm from age 5. Usually term-time only.
Yoga (Mum, baby and Kids):
Belsize Health: (16 England's Lane NW3 4TG, 0207 483 2345). Belsize Health offers many different types of therapists, for children and adults, including individual yoga
classes where you can bring baby.
Triyoga: www.triyoga.co.uk 0207 483 3344) 6 Erskine Rd. NW3 3AJ. One of the best in Europe, from what I hear. Various pregnancy and new
mum yoga classes as well as a kids class from 4+.
YogaBugs: www.yogabugs.com, classes for 3 to 5 and 5 to 7 year-olds at Swiss Cottage Community Centre, 19 Winchester Road,
NW3 3NP. Tuesdays from 4pm. To book a place please call Eva 077 47 01 64 69.
Yoga at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre Adelaide Road, 0207 974 2012: drop-in classes for 2 1/2 year-olds to
4 on Fridays at 11 and for 5-7 year-olds at 4:15 on Fridays. Classes with run throughout the summer. If
anyone has an opinion on this let me know.
|
Digital photo printing