Are you looking for a friendly, fun and local toddler group?

Emmanuel Bishopston Toddlers meets on a Friday morning at Church of the Good Shepherd on Bishop Road, BS7 8NA. The doors open at 10am and the session ends at 11.30am. For 90 minutes, the hall buzzes with parents, toddlers and babies!

The hall at Church of the Good Shepherd is light and airy and there is plenty of space for toddlers to burn off energy and parents to relax!

One hall contains soft mats, climbing frames, slides and see saws. The other hall (which is connected) has a baby corner with soft toys and chairs for breastfeeding plus a range of toys that change each week such as a toy kitchen, train tracks, Happy Land, a tuff tray with different sensory toys, puzzles, cars and fancy dress.

In the summer, the garden is also available, complete with water table and wendy house!

Emmanuel Bishopston Toddlers has been running for more than a decade and many of the mums who used to attend the group with their own toddlers and babies, now run the group.

It has a number of Unique Selling Points!

Every week, people within the church make incredible homemade cake for the parents to enjoy, there is always a short, toddler-friendly Bible story, lots of singing, a fun craft and the Hokey Cokey!

Once a month, a local massage therapist, Blossom Robin, comes to the group to offer discounted head, shoulder, hand or feet massages!

One mum described her experience of attending Emmanuel Toddlers: “I’ve loved going to toddlers since my little boy was 2 weeks old, initially for me to have a cup of tea and a chat with experienced mums. Now he loves the toys, the story and the songs. It’s great to have the friendly space, familiar faces, genuine smiles and the very welcome slice of cake! And I’m always guaranteed a long nap as he’s so tired out afterwards.”

Another said: “Toddlers is the highlight of the week as I’ve made good friends and my kids are happy there. It’s great for both my 1 and 3 year old (but was also an easy place to go when I had a baby and toddler on maternity leave). My kids love the story and song time and I love the cake!”

Another added: “Genuinely nice people who you can chat to in what could otherwise be an isolating period of life. It’s been a great place to bring my kids to have a nice time playing and the best cake I’ve ever had at a toddler activity!”

Claire Walford, who has attended the group since the beginning, says the team work hard to provide a safe space for toddlers to play and parents to make friends. She explains: “Going to a toddler group made all the difference to me when my children were small. We are passionate about our toddler group and providing a sanctuary to parents as they care for little ones. Over the years, many genuine friendships have begun at toddlers but continued once children have gone on to primary and even secondary school!”

The toddler group has no waiting list and costs just £2 per family. It is cashless so don’t forget your card and your mug with a lid! (they are trying to reduce waste and washing up!)

For more info on Emmanuel Bishopston Toddlers, please email admin@emmanuelbristol.org.uk.

Article created by Claire Walford