new to bristol and looking for playgroups/ adventure...

[dandelionerica]

hi..just moved to st andrews area..looking for playgroups,things to do to ease my three year old into move, only come from bath but need to distract her with exploring..and lots of cake, perhaps..want to find some kids her age and playgroups to go to so i shall be forgiven!any leads will be greatly appreciated.

Hya I have just moved to St Andrews too and have a three year old but she goes to nursery.

I have been recommended a guide which is called titch hiker guide to Bristol which is really good (they sell it in born in Gloucester road). It lists all the playgroups etc. Apparently there is a very good one in Cairns Road but I haven't had the chance to go yet.

hi dandelionerica - i don't know much about playgroups etc down in your neck of the woods, we live in Westbury Park so tend to hang out in Redland mostly. there's a good toddler group called Redland Toddlers at the church hall on Redland Green on Tues and Fridays, but it's probably a bit far for you.

I can highly recommend that book though, The TitchHiker's Guide to Bristol, it lists everything, playgroups, nurseries etc and has loads of useful info on fun days out too.

St Andrews Park is lovely, I'm sure you've already found that, and the Gloucester Road has some fab shops, including a second hand toy shop, a wooden posh toy shop, a cheapy plastic toy shop, and lots of lovely cafes.

Welcome to Bristol!

Littlemy you are the one who recommended the book to me! Hello by the way

hello needahand!

thanks guys..will definitely be hunting down that book!thinking of looking for some kind of dance group to take erica to-anyone know anythin about the tatty bumpkin one?...ericas starting at st werburghs preschool in the mornings next week while i attempt to look for some kind of work-arrgh..we're in st andrews park most days so if anyone fancys meeting up let me know-am wanting to investigate the farm in st werburghs, they've got a wicked cafe apparently..so if anyones up for exploring with us..

the farm is lovely, my mum lives round the corner so we go there every so often. what sort of work are you looking for?

hey-littlemydancing for joy-just anything i can fit round ericas preschool which is from 9-11.30 every week day morning -so not optimistic in what i can do in that time-going to build up her hours to two full days a week when she's settled in though so...will try anything basically!..haven't done anything for three years so bit nervewracking-was a student before i had erica so no big career on hold!

Google Playspace+Bristol - they do TattyBumpkin classes or at least advertise them if I remember correctly. Playspace is also great for taking the kids on a rainy day and the cake is too!!

Hope to see you at the next Bristol mnet meet up

Well, there's a playgroup at the church at the top of StAndrews park, running on a Thursday and Friday morning, drop in for £1 (I think). There's also a playgroup at nearly every church hall around Gloucester Road, see notice boards. My little girl is just two and we go to Cairns Road on a Wednesday morning, they also do lunch for a £1 (healthy for children) and quite nice Quiche/panini type lunches for adults.
I live just near to Lloyds TSB on Gloucester Road, in one of the many samey houses behind!!

Cairns road is open until 1-2pm.

twelevelegs-ur so close to us-that's mad..we should arrange a meeting soon methinks!..will try and make it to those playgroups aswell..me and erica going to be in st andrews park tomorow morning,probably bout 10 or 11..if anyone in the area is free come join!would be entertaining to track each other down..
thanks for all ur help everyone..

I may join you if it's not raining.... I will be with Mabel (aged 2 but quite tall) and I am eight months pg and 5'1" so quite easiy notced!!!

arrgghh,had complete memory break down and actually wasn't at park then,was there about one for a couple of hours but didn't see u twelvelegs..would love to meet u and mabel another time tho if i'm capable of holding the information in my frazzled mind!can't make next bristol meet sadly..

went to explore the city museum today-what an amazing place-erica was so excited by dinosoars..the play area was amazing too..and the muffins were so good!

Hi there, I am desparately looking for a playgroup/toddler & babygroup for my 2 1/2 year old and 8 month old girls. We live on the Southmead/Filton borders.

I need to find something soon before we all go crazy!!

If your little girl is quite active try Hawks gymnastics club. You'll find their details on the internet. It's fantastic and has sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings and through the school holidays when all the pre-schools are shut and you're stuck for something to do. Better still you can pay each time so don't have to sign up for a term in advance. Might be worth trying local NCT branch for open house coffee mornings as that's a good way to meet a few other mums and children quickly and they're not always full of tiny babies.

Just wondering if anyone can help me with info about the Day Nursery's in Clifton. We are moving to Bristol from Australia next year and I am looking to put my 4 year old and 2 year old into Nursery school part time. Does anyone know if Mornington House, Amberley House, Clifton Tots, Mama Bears or Pooh Corner are any good? It is really tricky to put their names down and pay deposits etc without actually knowing if the places are any good! Some have very snazzy websites and others don't have anything on the internet at all.

Thanks in anticipation.

Is your 4 year old 4 now? Because if so, by next year s/he'll be school age, not nursery age. Another mine field to tackle.

I have heard very good things about all of the nurseries you mention, all directly from parents who send their children to them, so you probably would be fine with any. There is also a new branch of Daisychain opening in January 2010 in Clifton High School. Do you know where you're going to be living?

Might be worth checking availability of places. Sometimes it can be tricky if you have specific sessions in mind.

Hi mum23monkeys. Thanks for your message. The whole school thing is a bit complicated because my son will be 4.5 when we get to Bristol but kids start school later in Australia so I'm not sure if he will be "school ready". Also he will start in Feb (the middle of your school year) and therefore might be very behind. I hope that we will be living in Clifton, perhaps up the top near the Downs if that makes sense. What is Daisychain? Sound interesting.

Daisychain Westbury Park has just been awarded an OUTSTANDING by Ofsted. My son goes there and we are so proud. The team of staff are absolutely amazing and make everyone feel so welcome. Everyday our little chap comes home having been involved in exciting activties such as investigating real (but dead!) sea creatures discovering their textures, colours, how they breathe and swim etc. A great start to education without a doubt.
Yes they opened a new nursery in 2010 in Clifton Park which I think looks after babies up until they are 5 years old.

I have heard amazing things about this nursery through my friends, really nice to know there is quality childcare out there after hearing so many horrror stories!

Mine have both been through Daisychain Westbury Park - the youngest is still there - and both have loved it. It is a truly amazing nursery and they really deserve their outstanding rating. The staff are always happy, bright and full of enthusiasm and make the children and parents feel so welcome. They always go the extra mile to make each child feel special. I would recommend it wholeheartedly and will be sad to leave when my youngest goes to school.