 THE
BABY BASE |
Your
guide to being (or being the parent of) a young human in Oxford
General Info:
Pre-
& Postnatal Help • Information Resources
• Supplies
Meetings/Activities for your child • Crêches
& Playgroups
Pre-
and Postnatal Help
National
Childbirth Trust
Tel 0870 4230260
Oxford & District Group, part of the NCT network. Essential
and excellent education and preparation for childbirth and parenthood,
support with breastfeeding, practical help after birth. Social
events, meetings, daytimes and evenings.
Oxford
Birth Partnership
Regular, weekend birth preparation workshops blending Active
Birth and Birthing From Within styles. Small groups
preparing couples for an active and intuitive birth and life
with their baby. For more details call Julie on 01865 763374.
Birth
Tides (Also Maya
Massage)
Massage for pregnancy and labour, holistic birth preparation,
maya abdominal massage, baby massage class, doula service and
birth pool hire. 01865 515025.
Specialists in 1 to 1 personal fitness training for pre and post natal women. Feel confident and positive throughout your pregnancy and beyond. For a free consultation please call Angela Lockwood on 07766 984381 or go to www.physically-fit.co.uk for more information.
Birth
by Nature
Tel Julie Osborne: 01865 763374
Childbirth Preparation for groups or couples, labour/birth
support with a trained birth companion (or doula) and breastfeeding
support for new mothers.
La
Leche League Oxford
International nonprofit, nonsectarian organisation dedicated
to helping women who want to breastfeed. Mother-to-mother support,
encouragement, information and education plus monthly baby and
toddler meetings, social events and lending library. Telephone
help also on offer. Full details on website.
The Baby Café
Roundabout Centre, next to Barton Pool
Breastfeeding drop-in session for mothers and babies, those who support them and pregnant women to find out more about breastfeeding. Friendly and informal. Wednesdays, 11.30-1.30pm. Free entry, free refreshments, small charge for lunch.
The
Baby Café Bus
Mon: Marston (Tower Playbase), Tue: Donnington Doorstep, Fri:
Cutteslowe Community Centre. 11.30am-1.30pm; runs all year (except
Bank Holidays).
Friendly, comfortable environment for breastfeeding mothers
and pregnant women to meet each other and have access to skilled
help if required. Free refreshments and small charge for lunch.
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Information
Resources
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Babyworld
A comprehensive
online guide for parents (& parents-to-be) of the very young.
Shopping, discussion forums, advice, product tests, competitions
& much more |
Supplies
Have
a look at our Children's
Things sales page too for bargainous second-hand and nearly
new items.
www.yourlittleparty.co.uk
A local Oxford company that delivers a wide range of children's birthday
party supplies to your door (free delivery within ring road). Product ideas are tested
by local school children who form the advisory 'Party Council', and themed into well-chosen selections.
www.cotton-tails.co.uk
Visit this site for natural, environmentally friendly products
for babies and small children, including tree-saving "proper" nappies
www.tumbebe.co.uk
Visit this site for
slings and soft baby carriers. Plus babywearing consultations and workshops around Oxfordshire. Based in Kidlington.
There also exists Oxford Sling Meet: monthly meetings where parents can get advice and try on carriers. Details from: http://oxfordslingmeet.wordpress.com/
www.fromheretomaternity.co.uk
Comprehensive website
of independent Wallingford-based outlet. Everything from morning
sickness treatments & maternity lingerie to nappies &
musical toys
www.thenaturalbabyresource.com
The natural baby resource provides environmentally friendly
alternative mother and baby products to conscientious parents.
Products extend from cloth nappies to baby accessories and gifts
and maternity wear. Find your local agent on the site for free
advice and demonstrations in your area and to obtain a catalogue.
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Meetings/Activities for your child
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In
the holidays, keep an eye on our Family/Kids'
Events page for children's activities at Oxford's museums,
galleries and beyond. There may also be useful nuggets in other
of our What's
On sections, so it's worth a trawl.
Baby
Lab
Finding out how children learn.
Busy
Bees
Musical fun for the under-fives.
Monkey Music
Weekly music classes for babies from birth, to children aged 6 yrs. Fun, stimulating educational classes available every day, in age appropriate groups, to learn and explore action/signing songs, developmental games, musical movement and percussion. Small friendly classes. Free trial available. Call Deborah on 01865 424612.
FullStride/OxfordGuide
Though dating from 1995, this site still features a lot of useful
info for parents looking to keep young children occupied in the
city. It was compiled by visiting Canadian parent Lynne Siemens
- to whom, many thanks!
Jamboray
Indoor activities for children aged between 0 and 8 (with things
to amuse the grown-ups too)
Kat's
Chorus
Fun, interactive music club for pre-school children. Call Kat
on 07946 348840 or email katgardner10@hotmail.com
for more information.
Sunflowers
Toddler Group
Toddler group for parents/carers
and pre-school children. Meets Thurs 10-12am (term times), with
music time at 11.00am, at Magdalen Road church, 41a Magdalen
Road, East Oxford. 'Lots of great toys, refreshments, comfy
sofas and friendly people'. More info: Nic Carpenter 01865 778909.
Baby College
Weekly parent and baby development classes. Gain an
insight into your baby’s development whilst enjoying a
fun and active class. Classes include music, signing
and much more. Contact Bea or Donna for details on 01865 436920
or 421879.
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Do
you know of a group meeting or family-friendly activity missing from
this page?
Why not tell everyone about it by entering it on our Family
Events listings page!
Crêches
& Playgroups
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Note
that if you can get your employer to pay crêche fees, and
s/he is also prepared to provide this service for all his employees,
the fees count as a tax-free expense. |
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Oxford University childcare (follow the link for full details) is subsidised for staff and students and provided by Kids Unlimited at three sites: Bradmore Road (north Oxford), Mansion House (Summertown) and Jack Straw's Lane (Marston). The University also owns places at the private Kids Unlimited nurseries at Milton Park, Harwell & Oxford Business Park, plus at the Turbo Teds nursery by the train station. All are OFSTED inspected. In addition, three colleges have nurseries open to all: Somerville, Balliol and Wolfson. Follow the links for full details.
Shopper's
Facilities:
Rainbow
House, by the Wesley Memorial Hall (New Inn Hall Street, tel 243216),
welcomes mothers with babies or small children between 10:30 and
14:00 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during school termtime. Debenham's (Magdalen
Street) has a Mother and Baby room on the 2nd floor: ask an assistant
for the key.
Hospital staff & visitors:
Julia Durbin Day Nursery
c/o Of Churchill Hospital, Old Rd, Headington
Tel 01865 744448
Pippins Day Nursery
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Old Rd, Headington
Tel 01865 227872
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Hunsdon House Nursery School
12 Osler Road, Headington
Tel 01865 762704
School terms, Monday to Friday 9:00 to 12:00. Ages 2.5-5 yrs. Special school preparation sessions for ages 4 and up, Tuesday and Thursday, 12-2.30pm.
Squirrel School Nursery
90 Woodstock Road
Tel 01865 558279
School terms, 8:30 to 12:30 Mon-Fri. Fees on request.
Cumnor Baby and Toddler Group
Tel Sarah: 01865 864964 or Vanessa: 861721
Meets every Monday from 13:30 - 15:30pm in the United Reform Church Hall, Leys Road, Cumnor.
Jericho Playgroup
Jericho Community Centre, 33A Canal St.
Tel Louise on 01865 429625
School terms only, Monday - Friday 9:00-11:30. Ages 2-5 yrs. Ofsted-registered, parent-run cooperative. Jericho Community Centre also has a babies and toddlers group, childminder drop-in and more. Details here.
Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre Crêche
Pegasus Road, Blackbird Leys
Tel 01865 467020
A place to leave your children whilst at the centre's sports classes. 9:45-11:45 Mon-Wed, 9:45-11:30 Fri. Under 5s only.
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The numerous other small private nurseries around the city include the following (details correct as at July 2007):
Oxford Montessori Schools
Nurseries in Iffley and north Oxford.
Stepping Stones Childrens Day Nursery
55 Glanville Road, Oxford OX4 2DD
Tel. 01865 717139
Beech Tree Nursery School
Pullens Lane, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BY
Tel 01865 229215
Part of Rye St Antony School.
Dinky Doo Nursery
In the grounds of the Dragon School, Bardwell Road, OX2 6SS
Tel 01865 552601
Little Troopers Day Nursery Ltd
13 Stanley Rd, Oxford OX4 1QY
Tel. 01865 793322
Donnington Playgroup
Townsend Square, Oxford OX4 4BB
Tel. 07517 955554
A B C Nursery
11 Sandfield Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 7RG
Tel. 01865 439051 |
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