NCT - how to choose? Worcestor Park (Sutton, Epsom & District) or Raynes Park (Wimbledon)

[SuperSupes]

Hi all

I've also posted this in a Local group because I am new to this and no idea how people find or link threads (so I'm sorry if I have missed something!).

I am 9+2 and trying to choose an NCT group because I have heard they get booked quickly. There are two Signature Classes near me - Worcestor Park is closer as the crow flies (so I assume the mums at the class are more likely to live near me) but Raynes Park is easiest / more convenient by public transport and also fairly close. However, they are from different branches and I don't know how much that matters. All tips and advice on classes in WP or RP, and on the two branches or my questions/comments below, gratefully received!

• Can you only attend NCT events at your chosen branch?
• My concern is that the Sutton, Epsom branch covers a large area so baby groups may be quite far away. If anyone is part of this branch, it would be great to hear about their events and where they are because the branch site and FB group is quite light on detail (very different to the Wimbledon group).
• Did you like how your NCT class was structured (in terms of having enough time to make friends). WP is 7x2 hour sessions whereas RP is only 4 (long) sessions.
• The other niggle I have (which is maybe a bit silly) is that a friend went to a Wimbledon group years ago and found it quite hard to bond with her NCT mums because she was the only working mum (the rest were super wealthy) and she struggled to find things in common with them (other than the baby). But then, I guess there's never a way to know if you will get along with your NCT group!

You can attend any events organised by any branch, apart from the antenatal classes and “early days” type classes. But Cliffe mornings, toddler groups, nearby new sales - anyone can attend, I don’t think you even have to be a member of NCT.

I didn’t really bond with my antenatal group, largely because they were far better off than us. However, for that first 6-12 months

You can go to any branch. Most people do them for the social aspect as much as or more than the course content, so where others on the course live will be important.

I did a course a few years ago and we all still meet up frequently now and get on really well. It is pot luck who you get though. If your friend’s situation worries you, pick the branch where you think you will have most in common with those who live locally.

... posted too soon...

..., got that first 6-12 months of having your first baby, bring close to other people with a child the same age as yours is invaluable. The lasting friendships are proven once people start going back to work . We just couldn’t keep up with the European minbreaks!

As for public transport - if this is your main means of transport - go fir the easiest option!

If Worcester Park is your local one - go. You’ll bump into these mums at baby groups in the area and even if you don’t get the “NCT What’s App” group instant friendship that some folk seem to get seeing a familiar face out and about in the fog of the first few weeks is nice x

Id go for Raynes Park if youre looking for the easiest by public transport - if you're coming from WAT then the trains are really regsikr (more so than Worcester Park) and I imagine you'd find you're not the only one who has done the same. I live a few more stops down the train line than you (think z5/6) and as there's so many in our area we've picked based on convenience on public transport as that's our only way of getting to the sessions and also for meet ups afterwards. You need to consider things like if there's train strikes how would you get there etc and if it's easier to get to Raynes Park then that's your answer.

Tbh I think the concerns you have about the groups demographic are the same worries as you'd have anywhere in this area. It really is the luck of the draw. I started doing pregnancy yoga after work to meet people locally before NCT starts (I'm 20 weeks) which I'd recommend. We now meet at WAT and get the train together etc and they all have similar careers/life set ups to me. I'd never done yoga before so don't let that put you off.

We also booked NCT at the 8/9 week stage. Definitely get booked in as the one we are doing was listed as unavailable by week 13.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the advice! Do you think the format matters? ie: instead of 7 x 2 hour meetings, Raynes Park is 4 (long - 5hr) sessions - and one of those is for women only.

Personally I found the “short” sessions long enough and would find 4 x 5hrs exhausting and too much to take in.

I'd go for the one nearest where you live and the evening sessions as there's more opportunity to get to know people slowly. I had a choice of two courses ( both London based) and I went for the one nearer the park I thought I'd prefer to hang out and with a potentially more diverse group.
We weren't instant friends but it was nice to know people and one couple many yrs on are still close friends.

Hi there...I think we’re local. Just to say, we booked on the Worcester Park course at 12 weeks thinking we needed to get in early. At c. 24 weeks we were contacted to say the course was cancelled due to lack of demand. They tried to transfer us to Sutton which wasn’t convenient so we ended up switching to new malden. Had no trouble getting on even at that stage. So, I’m not saying you shouldn’t book early, but don’t be fooled that you need to.