H to Z

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.

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.

Ergotec Action's term time and holiday fit-fun climbing and physical development classes for kids 5+. Call Kate Steele for bookings on 07951 728 238. Ergotec Health Studio, 100A Belsize Lane, Belsize Village, NW3 5BB.

League One: Football course for girls and boys aged 3 to 11 years old. 0208 446 0891

Lemon Jelly Arts (www.lemonjellyarts.co.uk 02084493155) Drama, songs and prop-making ending in a performance on Friday. My son loved it.

Sports Galore (www.sportsgalore.co.uk) 01285 656098. Particularly good if you have a child who never tires. Lots of sports (of course) with drama and arts and crafts.

Sunshine Play Group 37a Broadhurst Gardens, NW6 3QT: Not far from O2 center on the Finchley Rd. (C11 bus stop 2 minutes away.) Holds art and baking sessions. Contact Agnieszka at info@sunshineplaygroup.com or 0207 7328 0713

UCS Active (www.ucsactive.org.uk) Frognal, Hampstead NW3 6XH 0207 433 2121 On the University College School campus. 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.)

Libraries: For a full list, see www.camden.gov.uk/libraries. The following are NW3 libraries.

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.org

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.

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.

--------------------------ADVERT

Creative WizKids, the interactive arts Program started by Artist/Poet Frances Bildner in New York City in 1990 is adding some fun and exciting new clubs and classes . After School clubs are planned in November for a five week period and then again in January. Clubs will be held daily from 4-6pm and is for 3-7 year old unaccompanied Wiz Kids. In addition ,3-7 year olds may now enjoy added holiday clubs.The next one is The Half Term October Club being held on the 26th-30th October at 10-1pm and 2-5pm. As well as the usual fun activities- art, dance , free play, the Half term focus will be on Acting.A play is planned for the end of the week. The Xmas Clubs are in full swing. Also at 10-1pm and 2-5pm. Art,free play,cake ,decorating, music, dance and of course plenty of fun for all Creative Wiz Kids!

Starting in January, you can drop your toddler off once or twice weekly. These classes are a great preparation for pre school and will be taught in a relaxed and stimulating way. All clubs and Classes are run by Arts Professionals and run in St Lukes Church in Hampstead. Book now and join in the Wiz kids experience! call 020 7794 6797 www.creativewizkids.com As seen on TV Celebrating creativity since 1990.

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.

Tel : 0208 815 94 33.www.nickysharposteopathy.co.uk

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

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.

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.

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.

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:

Tel : 0208 815 94 33.www.nickysharposteopathy.co.uk

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:

Sing and Sign: (www.singandsign.co.uk) fun, educational baby signing music groups. For more information or to book your free trial class, contact Vesna on 020 7639 8038 or vesnaguzina@singandsign.co.uk. Ages 7-24months.

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"):

Aquababies: (www.aquababies-co.uk) Held at the Marriot in Swiss Cottage (128 King Henry's Way, NW3 3ST), swimming class for parents and babies on Tuesdays. Can start from about 6 weeks but most around 3 months. 01273 833101. C11 goes past.

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.

Infant Aquatics at the Swiss Cottage School (Avenue Road, across the street from Swiss Cottage Library) The water is very warm so babies love it. From 12 months to 24 months on Thursday afternoons. Contact Jan Moffatt at supplepoll@yahoo.co.uk . C11, 46 are quite close.

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.

Taekwan-Do: Martial arts from age 5 Juniors Tuesday 5-6 Studio 2 at the Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre. Call 07949 612 706 or tkd@writeme.com or http://welcome.to/taekwondo.

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.