Who are we?
We are a Community Interest Company offering low cost playgroup sessions and classes which can be booked on a weekly basis for children 0-5 years and their families/carers in Elm Park, Havering.
Our Staff and Volunteers are local Mum’s.
All of our activities help support the early years development of the children, following the 7 areas of learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Where are we?
St. Alban’s Church Hall.
Langdale Gardens, Hornchurch, RM12 5LA
Customer Feedback
“St Alban’s Baby and Toddler Group CiC is a fantastic group that teaches the toddlers social skills and gives much needed support to parents.
Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Havering Mayor, Councillor Stephanie Nunn
“Such a welcoming and lovely playgroup, my little boy loves to explore all the toys and activities.”
“We have been attending your classes since my baby boy was 3 months old and he loves it every time as he feels safe, secure and stimulate to participate at all the lovely activities! As for me being new to motherhood can be a bit overwhelming from time to time but here at the group I have connected with mothers that feel the same like me, we shared our experiences and we even formed friendships! I highly recommend it to everyone!”
“Jump & Move at St Albans - our most favourite class of the week! My active 2 year old gets to explore lots of toys & equipment that encourages movement & exploration. We love the movement based song & dance at the end of each class with the wonderful teacher Maria!”
*****
“Lovely playgroup. Lots of toys and activities for the children to play with. Staff are very welcoming. Nice to have a garden area to play in too.”
*****
“We absolutely love it there. Lots of activities and toys for all ages”
Groups/Sessions Calendar
Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Story & Songtime Class 9.30-10.30 | Playgroup (Session 1) 9.30-10.45 | Playgroup (Session 1) 9.30-10.45 | Masterminds Class 18 months - 4 years 9.15-10.15 |
Jump & Move Class Walking-4 years 11.00-12.00 | Calm Playgroup 11-12.15 | Playgroup (Session 2) 11-12.15 | Mini Minds Class 0-18 months 10.30-11.30 |
Story & Song Time Class
Tuesday’s at 9.30am
Join us for our fun and interactive story and song time class for 0-4 years, led by Sarah! Our class starts with a new story each week, we then sing our favourite nursery rhymes using instruments, puppets and props and end with a sensory themed song using a parachute, bubbles and lights! We end the class with biscuits and juice, hot drinks for the adults and some free play time.
Jump & Move Class
Tuesday’s at 11am
Join us for our active physical play class for walkers up until 4 years old led by Maria! Children will have the opportunity to develop their climbing, balance and co-ordination skills using our soft play equipment, bouncy castle, climbing frame and lots more! We end the class with songs to get us moving! Our favourites are the Freeze Dance song and the Hokey Cokey!
Playgroup
Wednesday’s & Thursday’s
Fun session for children under 5 with lots of learning opportunities! The layout of the playgroup has been arranged to maximise children’s learning whilst having fun! The hall is set up into sections using the seven areas of learning of the EYFS: Personal, Social & Emotional. Communication and language. Physical development. Understanding of the World. Mathematics. Literacy. Expressive art and design.
We end the session with group song time and parachute and bubbles.
Our Construction Area has different types of bricks and blocks to build with, we have tools, workbenches, construction vehicles and you can even dress as a builder!
Some benefits of construction play:
Fine motor skills, gross motor skills, problem-solving, imagination, focus, patience, cooperative play, maths, physical development.
Our Home Corner has ovens and lots of cooking equipment and food! We also have a shop too!
Some benefits of the home corner:
Cooperative play, role play, maths, fine motor skills, problem solving, language, relive familiar situations.
Our Book Corner is in a quiet spot in the busy playgroup.
Some benefits of our book corner is:
Communication and language, physical development, personal, social & emotional development, literacy, understanding the world.
Our Doll and Dressing up Area has lots of dolls to take care of and we have lots of various dressing up outfits to try on - superheroes, princesses and lots more!
Some benefits of playing with dolls & dressing up:
Imaginative play, fine and gross motor skills, nurturing, problem solving.
In our Arts & Crafts Area we have different crafts to take part in each week - sticking, colouring, painting etc.
Some benefits of arts and crafts are fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, self-expression, problem solving, creativity.
Our Small World Area has lots of little people, animals, dinosaurs and buildings to explore!
Some benefits of small world play is imagination, creativity, language skills, independent play, problem solving, cause and effect.
We have a dedicated Baby Area for under 1's, separate to the older children. We have a black and white area for our younger babies, a sensory tent, baby gyms, baby activity tables, walkers and lots of baby toys to explore!
Our Vehicle Area has lots of different types of vehicles to play with including trains and tracks.
Some benefits of vehicle play:
Fine motor skills, imagination, understanding the world, social skills, learning through construction and experimentation.
Our private Garden is only accessible from the hall so is completely safe, we have a grassed and paved area. We use all year round when it is not raining.
We have 3 separate climbing apparatus with slides. We also have bikes, ride on cars, scooters, tricycles and sand and water play in the Spring & Summer.
Our Physical Play Area has bikes, tunnels, tents, slides, ball pits, ride on cars and lots more!
Some benefits of physical play is fine and gross motor skills, balance, co-ordination, enhances confidence and self-esteem, supports cognitive development.
Masterminds Class
Friday’s at 9.15am
Ignite your child’s potential at our dynamic learning class with our School Teacher Tara for children from 18 months-4 years. Our sessions prioritise physical development, early language acquisition through songs and stories and fun counting games. Watch your little one grow and learn while forming meaningful friendships with other supportive families. Join us now and provide your child with the perfect foundation for lifelong learning!
Mini Minds Class
Friday’s at 10.30am
Join our class for 0-18 months with our School Teacher Tara and watch your little one thrive. Our carefully designed activities will engage your baby’s curiosity, through stimulating sensory experiences.
Lets navigate the joys and challenges of parenthood together, in a nurturing and supportive environment!
Extra Services
Baby Weighing
Charlotte Hillyard, Certified Infant Sleep Consultant.
LatchOn Havering
Breastfeeding support charity.
Book Sales every few months, we receive free books for our reading corner!
Usborne Books
Mums Matter
Motherhood can be a tough time. You may be feeling overwhelmed, more tearful than usual or anxious. Mums Matter Project is a support service to empower mums to take control of their health and wellbeing. It is an early intervention service that women can self-refer in to or be referred by other professionals. Practical and emotional support is given to mums using a holistic approach. Mums Matter visit our playgroup once a month!
How to book
Group Rules
It is important that every member of our group feels relaxed, supported, safe and secure, and that you have fun while you are here. May we remind you that when you attend each week you follow a few simple ground rules as shown on the right that will help us enjoy our time together.
Your child's safety and the way they relate to and play with other children, are your responsibility.
Please intervene with your child if others are at risk of being hurt!
If another parent is concerned about something you or your child is doing, listen graciously - even if you don't agree, or feel you have been misunderstood. Stay friends!
Please ask any of our Staff or Volunteers for assistance with any problems/issues.
Take care of and encourage your children to look after the hall, the equipment and each other, and take care with drinks, food, buggies and belongings.
Hall Facilities
Large Free Car Park
Baby Changing Facilities (please take used nappy home)
Air Conditioning
Disabled Toilet
Hot Drinks & Juices
In the News!
Staff Team
Maria - Director
Sarah - Play Leader
Tara - Play Teacher
Ashleigh - Play Assistant
Volunteers
Golda
Hayley
Justina
Nicole
Sammie
Sarah
Sweta
Contact Details
St Alban's Baby & Toddler CIC
07774 719 806
stalbanstoddler@yahoo.com