Mum & Co - a NICE toddler group

Can't beat dressing up

I'm no real fan of toddler and baby groups - in fact they can send me into a spiral of dispair. They're normally noisy and chaotic, with children fighting over toys and mums seemingly oblivious.

But Mum & Co at St Nicholas' Church in Sevenoaks is the exception. With sessions on Wednesday morning and afternoon, Mum & Co is a little oasis of calm in a sea of crazy baby mornings.

Ok - first things first. It is not actually free (gasp). A £1 entry fee gives you unlimited tea and biscuits, and drinks for little ones. Money that isn't used for refreshments goes to St Nick's chosen charity.

The session is downstairs in the undercroft (there's a lift for pushchairs), and there is a really nice selection of toys. Orla went straight for the dressing up box - but we had fun with the little kitchen, farm animals and train track too.

Although the group is for children over one, there is a little area set aside for smaller babies. And I can't stress enough how much more relaxed and un-crazy this session is.

Everyone helped to tidy up and we finished off with some songs. And I left feeling decidedly less frazzled than I arrived. Just what you need from a morning out!

St Nicholas Church
Rectory Lane
Sevenoaks 
TN13 1JA

Mum & Co
Wednesday 9.45-11.30am and 1.45-3.30pm

Dad & Co
First Saturday of the month 9am - 10.30am

PS St Nick's has a great cafe that serves reasonably priced hot food and sandwiches in the undercroft too.

Time Out!

Mr Topp

I think I actually need a bit of time out when I've been to the Town Church's offering for babies and toddlers on Tuesday mornings.

Going to Time Out is like walking into a crazy alternative world, where what seems like hundreds of toddlers are staggering around, shouting at each other and brandishing toys. Add to that grown ups shouting to be heard over their offspring, and you have the noisiest Tuesday morning in Sevenoaks.

I might be a bit of a misery guts though, because everyone I've spoken to about Time Out really loves it.

There's an endless supply of tea, coffee and biscuits (for a small donation) and a baby clinic with health visitors. Just to make my point (again!) about the noise, one of the ladies has to use a microphone to call you when it's time to go into the clinic and is still very rarely heard . . .

Babies under one can also try out the much calmer Baby Time, downstairs. I sneaked in and it was so lovely I didn't want to leave!

And I also tried going to Time Out towards the end of the morning. Again much better if you're looking for something a bit less maniacal.

Time Out
Town Church
Mill Lane
Sevenoaks TN14 5AX

Tuesdays 9.30 - 11.30
Free parking