Playgroups in Islington area for 1-year-old?

[Zinger]

Can anyone recommend anywhere? The type where you stay with your little one, sing songs and stuff. We already go to Gymboree classes and a 2 o'clock club but G is expensive, short and structured; 2 o'clock is just a play area. We also go to baby books session at local library. Just wondered what the other options were.

PS We're in N1/Canonbury

Sorry Zinger, first part of my post didn't work. We're in N1/Canonbury and are interested too - where are you?

Drop in at the Steiner Centre in St Paul's Road? There's also one in South Library on Essex Road on Tuesdays and Fridays 10-12 or so (check, though, it's a few years since I've been). The Steiner one is probably a bit more, ahem, middle class.

I've got a current Sure Start list somewhere with all the times on it if you want me to dig it out.

Know what you mean frogs - I like to take DD to Gymboree AND the library for balance!!

Just looking for personal recommendations really so no need to dig out the list - might give Steiner a try - do they do songs and games and stuff, or do the kids just play freely?

sleepdeprived we're in N1 too

I went to the Steiner one once, a few years ago, but dd1 was a bit old for it at the time. It's quite structured, in the sense that they do a craft activity, have something to eat and lots of singing in a circle etc, though they now get some Sure Start funding, so not sure if that may have made a difference.

Some of the Steiner people are a bit bonkers and can be cliquey, but a lot of non-Steinery people go and speak very positively of it. Their approach is quite thoughtful and even a bit spiritual in a nature-worshippy kind of way. Not a place to take a child addicted to Barbie or plastic superheroes off the telly, IYSWIM.

I could possibly psych myself up to take dd2 (11 months) at some point if you want to meet up,as I know she'd love it, though I do normally avoid baby groups like the plague (very selfishly).

what about the 2 o'clock club in highbury fields, it's £1 i think, and there's in/out door stuff plus lots of other mums.

Yes bundle we already go there Looking for something more structured IYKWIM

Frogs, you're on! I'll drag you out in the new year

There's also Tiktok (music group) that meet in a hall near St. James's Church Prebend Street (near Islington Green School). I've never been there, but lots of people I know have, and seem to have enjoyed it.

Most of the other groups I know of are further over into Hackney, which is a different Sure Start area, so I don't know whether they're open to all. My babysitter takes dd2 to some of these, so I don't have to.

There's Rucksack music, a pay as you go music group (unlike Ticktock which I think you pay termly). I took ds there ages ago but he was too young and as he's got older we've found other things to do. They have a website that tells all the venues, but definitely on at St James's Hall.