All are welcome in our sessions

All parents or carers with children from birth to three or four years old are welcome in our sessions. We want to support you, doing the most important job in the world: caring for your child and children.

The sessions start with free play for the  children. This is a time for adults to relax and enjoy their child, observing what he or she is doing and what is catching his/her interest. This allows the children to really immerse themselves - and gives you a welcome break!
We hope you will also enjoy talking to other participants and making friends as we know how supportive this is at this stage in your life as a parent.

There will often be an activity offered to the children – baking and painting are activities we offer throughout the year. Sometimes there is a seasonal craft to enable the adults to make something for their child, and it is gently stimulating for the children to see adults creating something with their hands. Our enjoyment and relaxation with the craft can help to create a peaceful mood which supports the children in their play.

A song guides the children towards the ring time and the snack table. The shared meal and song and rhyme time are often highlights for the children. There follows play time in our lovely garden, with play house and sandpit. Finally the session closes with a gentle puppet show portraying seasonal events. This rhythm provides children and adults alike with a peaceful and nourishing morning. 

Toddler groups take place every weekday morning.
We now offer sessions every morning of the week during term time (see term dates below) for children from birth to three or four years old:

Monday from 10.45am -1pm (£6.50)
Tuesday from 9.45am -12noon (£6.50)
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 12noon (£7.50). 
For more details, please contact Oona on oona.alexander@btinternet.com or Moni on monilebon@gmail.com.

 Parent and Baby Groups
We also offer a parent and baby session from 1pm-2.30pm on Tuesdays (£5.50).
These practical sessions are for parents in the first year of their baby’s life. We offer a place for you to relax and enjoy the support of a caring community. For babies, these sessions provide a safe and calm space to explore the environment and develop their natural movement.

You will be welcomed by a cup of herb tea and some warm home baked bread rolls. There will be a chance to talk about how your child is doing and any questions you have. We also dedicate some time each week to being fully present for the children by quietly observing them, and reflecting together on what we have learnt. We close the session with some songs, rhymes and little touching games for babies. Our aim is to strengthen the authentic parent in you. When your baby outgrows the parent and baby Group, you will be welcome to join one of the toddler sessions.  If you are interested in attending this session, please contact Oona (as above).

 Parents’ evenings
These events are held on an evening during term time. They offer participants the chance to hear more about early years issues from a Steiner perspective and explore parenting questions in a non-judgemental atmosphere. Previous topics have included “How do we speak with children?” and “Caring for the young child”. There is always space for questions and discussion. These are usually lively events in which differing views are aired and we don’t expect parents to conform to any one parenting style.

We recognise that parents are the most important people in a child’s life and our parent and child groups aim to support both parent and child equally.

Term Dates for Parent and Child Groups:

Spring Term 2012
Starts: Wed 11th January
Half term: Mon 13th - Fri 17th Feb
Ends: Thursday 29th March

Summer Term 2012
Starts: Wed 25th April
Half Term: Mon 4th – Fri 8th June
Ends: Thursday 12th July

Please contact Oona or Moni for a "taster session."

The sessions are run by Oona Alexander and Moni Lebon. Oona has a background in Steiner education and has been running groups for parents and children for several years. She is a trained and experienced teacher, as well as a parent of a young child. Moni is trained in Steiner early years education and experienced in running parent and child groups. She also has two young children.