London-Baby

London’s Best Free and Affordable Baby, Toddler, Child and Family Events 21st – 27th May 2012

admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 09:32:51 +0000

Think you could make an income off your London home but can’t bear to ruin a holiday with more housework? Check out my new sponsor, onefinestay. They offer a bespoke holiday home letting service that takes all the hassle out of hiring your house or flat out to holiday makers (they vet the guests, insure your belongings, use their own linens/toiletries and clean your flat!) it is worth a look. Be sure to mention London-baby.com if you fill out their two minute questionnaire to see how what kind of an income you might earn while away this summer

Take Stars Gym and Creche up on their fantastic offer to try out their gym and crèche. Pay what you like, try it for free, try it for £5, take a look around and see if you could use Stars gym to keep up your current fitness levels or improve. Monday – Friday: 9:30 – 11:30 Ofsted registered crèche, very clean, very kind, very good, for 0-5 Review

S&A Studios has an introductory offer on their in-home or on-location family photography sessions from under £200, including 8 edited, high resolution images on disc. Book now for prints ready in time for Father’s Day gifts …

Spotted Zebra, London’s premier bespoke nanny agency, has begun offering Pop-up Nurseries around London: Clapham, Queen’s Park, Newington Green. Book in 48 hours in advance, leave your child in a small nursery cared for by a 3:1 staff of highly qualified nannies.

Just for Babies:

NCT Kensington and Chelsea Bumps and Babies Group: Gymboree, Baden Powell House. Every Tuesday 12:30 – 1:45pm, if you are new to motherhood, or have a new baby, this is a fantastic way to meet other people in the exact same boat. Its open to anyone, please drop by this welcoming and warm group. If you have a little one, they will love playing on the very clean, very fun Gymboree equipment. nctkensington@yahoo.co.uk.

Gate Picture House Notting Hill: Big Scream. Come and enjoy a vintage theatre’s screening of The Source with your infant. Great chance to see current cinema without having to shell out for a sitter. Nappy changing set up, dim lights so you can see what they are up to … fabulous morning out.

Baby and Toddler Events:

NCT Kensington & Chelsea Pampered Like a Queen. Beaufort House Chelsea, Wednesday 30^th May, 10am – noon. Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by treating yourself to an indulging hand & arm massage or an enhancing nail treatment, generously provided by beauty therapists from Cupcake Club along with elevenses! And not to leave the kiddies out – Art Barn will be on hand to help Mums and tots to create their own Jubilee-inspired crown to take home. Violinist, Antonia Azoitei, from Classical Babies will be treating us with a 20-minute performance at 11am. Gift bags include samples from Apurru, London’s organic skin care shop, and other fabulous London retailers. Tickets are just £10 and places are limited, so get in quick!

Classical Babies: Wednesdays, 11:00am, Belisize Park, Interchange Studios. £10 per family for a delightful classical concert that is completely baby and toddler friendly, the perfect mid-week bit of brain candy read more about the fabulous bit of motherhood: My review

Classics with my Baby: As seen in the Independent, Time Out, and Gramophone Magazine, this critically acclaimed concert series specifically designed for parents and children (0-5 years) to enjoy together. Tickets: Adults £10, children FREE ( special offers for online tickets from website) Eat cake and mingle from 10:00am and concert begins at 10:30am. This is such a treat, easy to get to and worth every penny. My review

Little Dish Spring Party, Holland Park. Wednesday 30^th May 11am-1:30pm. Come and join Little Dish for their first spring party in Holland Park. Sharkey and George will be running party games, picnic provided by Little Dish and there will be a charity event for the little ones to participate in. RSVP bigtoddle@littledish.co.uk

Baby and Toddler Classes

Culture Kids Music Class: Chelsea, Marylebone and Hampstead

Check out their new web site!! Come along for the most amazing, dynamic, invigorating, multi-sensory, multi-instrumented music class. There is not the usual scrum for the shakers, every single kid gets a chime, ladybird game, sunglasses, gorgeous set of fairy wings, caterpillar costume … there are literally scores of props that come out with each song. Further, these props all change the following week when the class explores a new theme. Read my review.

If you “like” Culture Kids on Facebook and write “fabwebsite” on their wall, you will get a discount on your classes. Check the schedule for times and prices and age groups.

Story Craft Workshops at Rich Mix Bethnal Green, Monday 21^st May 1:30 – 2:30pm, ages 2-5. Come and engage with stories using puppets, art and acting, all part of a fun workshop sure to entertain young and old alike. £3

Events for the Bigs, Smalls and the Whole Family:

Natural History Museum’s Big Nature Day: Sunday, 27^th May 11am – 5pm, Cromwell Road, South Kensington. Bring the kids for a day of exciting workshops and activities is the Darwin Centre and the gardens. There will be pond dipping, an insect carnival, bee puppet show, make a bat box or bee hotel, bug hunts, nettle knowledge … a day of quality learning and making.

Forge Arts Venue, Coffee and Keys. Sundays 11am – noon, coffee from 10:30. Come enjoy pianist Beatrice N icholas performing Debussy, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Chopin and more in this family friendly concert series. £8 adults, £4 children (includes coffee or tea)

Kids Club, Saturdays at Gate Picturehouse: Saturdays from 10am they have activities, then watch the flick at 10:30. Saturday 26^th May will be Happy Feet Two. £4 to join the Kids Club, but then tickets are £1 after, popcorn and juice for the kids £2. Read more about the day out here.

BD and Comic Passion Festival at Institute Francais, South Kensington. Friday 25^th – Sunday 27^th May. Come and engage with artists and writers in a three-day festival of comic books. Films, workshops, talks and demonstrations are all on offer for children and families Saturday and Sunday. Events from £8 each, something for all ages…

Events for Big Kids

Self-Portrait Workshop with David Taborn, Lost Theatre Company. Join acclaimed artist David Taborn, current artists in residence at The Lost Theatre Company, for a studio workshop on self-portraits. Excellent for students building up portfolios for Y7, GSCE or A Levels. There should also be a class for younger children and their parents. £15 per person contact studio@davidtaborn.com

Judo Classes at Stars Gym Wednesdays 4pm (4-8 years) and 5pm (8+) with prospective Olympians Jonathan Purssey and Alex Farbon. Further, starting 3^rd April, the engaging Carlos Andrade will be teaching Kickboxing on Tuesdays, 4:30 (4-9 years). Carlos’s class is drop-in, £9 per session, so come along when you like and have fun!!

Saatchi Gallery Family Art Workshops: Studio Portrait. Sunday 20^th May 11:00am & 3:00pm. Bring the family and be taken on an artist-led tour of the Saatchi Gallery then join Valerie Amadei in the education room to create a portrait using photography and collage. £5 per child.

May 14th – 20th: London’s Best Free and Affordable Baby, Toddler, Child and Family Events

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 13:04:02 +0000

S&A Studios has an introductory offer on their in-home or on-location family photography sessions from £120 including four prints. Book now for prints ready in time for Father’s Day gifts …

Saturday, 19^th May 10:30am – 12:30pm, Westminster NCT Nearly New Sale, St. Gabriel’s Church Hall (this is located of Lupus street, St. Gabriel’s Church Pimlico has a spread-out campus). Support the Westminster NCT and get your baby or toddler kit at a good price.

Just for Babies:

Gate Picture House Notting Hill: Big Scream. Come and enjoy a vintage theatre’s screening of Jeff who Lives at Home with your infant. Great chance to see current cinema without having to shell out for a sitter. Nappy changing set up, dim lights so you can see what they are up to … fabulous morning out.

Baby and Toddler Events:

Concerts this week: Hampstead Village Tues 15^th, Wimbledon Wed 16^th, Notting Hill Thu 17^th, Clapham Fri 18^th.

Baby and Toddler Classes

Culture Kids Music Class: Chelsea, Marylebone and Hampstead

If you “like” Culture Kids on Facebook and write “fabwebsite” on their wall, you will get a discount on your classes. Check the schedule for times and prices and age groups.

Events for the Bigs, Smalls and the Whole Family:

Rock n Roll Family Dicso, Belsize Park, Saturdays, 4:00-5:00pm. Come to Interchange Studios and dance away with your kids!! Teach them what we sang and danced before they came along… the glory days!! £5 per adult, kids free.

Kids Club, Saturdays at Gate Picturehouse: Hachi: A Dog’s Story. Saturdays from 10am they have activities, then watch the flick at 10:30. £4 to join the Kids Club, but then tickets are £1 after, popcorn and juice for the kids £2. Read more about the day out here.

Words in Holland Park Literary Festival: Friday 18^th – Sunday 20^th May. This is a first time event. Not free, but I thought of it as an affordable answer to Hay … talks are £12 each or £50 for an event pass. Speakers include A.A. Gill, P.D. James, Jeremy Paxman, Andrew Marr, Sophie Dahl and John Bercow, among others. The park is so child-friendly, that one adult can go to a talk while the other amuses the kids with the peacocks, adventure playground, nature play area, koi pond…

National Portrait Gallery Storytelling for Families: Saturday 19^th May, 10:30 and 1:30: A Very Royal Event. What would you do if you met a king or a queen? Find out and make your own crown to take home.

RNIB Family Concert at Wigmore Hall: Saturday 19^th May, 11am. A free family concert for families with blind or partially sighted children.

Events for Big Kids

Judo Classes at Stars Gym Wednesdays 4pm (4-8 years) and 5pm (8+) with prospective Olympians Jonathan Purssey and Alex Farbon. Further, starting 3^rd April, the engaging Carlos Andrade will be teaching Kickboxing on Tuesdays, 4:30 (4-9 years). Carlos’s class is drop-in, £9 per session, so come along when you like and have fun!!

V and A Make-it Calligraphy: Saturday 19^th May, 2:00pm. 10-12 year olds, booking required, £5.00 per child. Come and learn different calligraphy techniques. Children do not need to be accompanied, but contact details need to be given.

National Portrait Gallery Family Art Workshop: Jump for Victory. Sunday 20^th May, 11:00- 1:00pm and repeated 2:00-4:00pm ages 5-11. Discover mythological creatures, competitions and make your own trophy in a fabulous interactive, hands on art workshop led by artist Mary Evans.

Spotted Zebra: London’s Bespoke Nanny Company brings you Pop-Up Nursery!!

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:01:07 +0000

Spotted Zebra: London’s Bespoke Nanny Company brings you Pop-Up Nursery!!

Want to drop your kids off in a nursery setting, one or two days a week without making a deep commitment to a school?

Next question, what is your favourite central London neighbourhood for timeout for yourself? Where would you most like to see a Pop-Up Nursery?

I have had a nice, long chat with Rafaelia Sahin, co-founder of Spotted Zebra, and, well, basically the most qualified nanny in the world. In addition to working as a paediatric nurse who specialised in pre-term neo-natal infants and children, who also has a background psychology and neuroscience, was for many years a full-time nanny, Raffaelia has now run a highly successful bespoke nanny service to answer the call for London’s high demand for childcare (much more on this later, but do check out their site).

In addition to Spotted Zebra’s hand holding of families to find them the right childcare, Rafi has introduced Pop-Up Nurseries to London town.

The idea behind Spotted Zebra’s Pop-Up Nurseries is there are families who might like their children to have some time in a social setting away from them, but not every day, and they don’t want to commit to something that they are not sure they can afford or will use. Pop-Up Nurseries are very posh, very organised, drop-in nurseries staffed by the highest qualified nannies who will organise a session with free-play, music and movement, snack, stories, arts and crafts and more. Your child will come to know the teachers, the routine, the setting and they have the experience of being in a social setting without going every day. After booking 48 hours in advance, you can leave your child in a 1:3 ratio teacher to child ratio for a few hours knowing they are in the safest of hands and get some time to yourself.

The Pop-Up Nursery Costs £10 per hour, but once you are both settled, you can opt to buy a term up front for 20% discount. The Pop-ups are currently running:

Tuesdays 1-4pm, The Alice House in association with West London Tots, 53-55 Salusbury Road, Queen’s Park NW6 6NJ
Wednesdays 11-3pm, That Place on the Corner, 1-3 Green Lane, Newington Green, N16 9BS
Thursdays 9am-1pm, At Wonder World of Wishes, 151a Lavender Hill, Clapham, SW11 5QJ

Rafi tells me there are currently on the lookout for Central London locations!! There will be one coming to Kensington, Clapham and to Chiswick soon.

Here is the challenge, where should the next Pop-Up Nursery should go? Use your voice and affect change: leave a comment, send a Tweet @thezebraspot, or post on their Facebook page. Tell Spotted Zebra where London-baby readers would like the next Pop-Up Nursery most.

London May Day Family Events and Activities

admin — Sat, 05 May 2012 11:43:33 +0000

S&A Studios has an introductory offer on their in-home or on-location family photography sessions from £120 including four prints. Book now for prints ready in time for Father’s Day gifts …

Please, please sign the petition to support Pimlico’s #1 neighbour, Hassan at Khallouk and Taylor. The person who moved in over his long-established coffee shop that does not keep late hours does not like living over a coffee shop and would like to close it down. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-khallouk-taylor/

May Day Bank Holiday Suggestions:

May Day Festival at The Frieghtliners Farm: meet the animals, decorate garlands, dress the well, dance around the maypole and help support the Frieghtliners Farm. Noon – 4pm.

Open Family Workshop with Mbawula: come and learn the music from the South African Freedom Struggle with an orchestral ensemble led by Paul Bartholomew and Joyce Mohologae fusing South African melodies with jazz and brass. Come and enjoy a wonderful free family event in the Clore Ballroom.

Brixton Windmill May Day Recycling Parade and Festival: head over to the Tate Library on Windrush Square in Brixton at 1pm for a parade of recycled costumes, instruments and props. Afterwards, take part in children’s activities while you enjoy music and food. 2-6pm

May Day at the Museum of London Docklands: make the journey out and enjoy an entire day of family-friendly events, music, crafts, activities, dancing and workshops. Free, and perfect way to escape the cold rain while giving your kids a great day out.

Just for Babies:

NCT Kensington and Chelsea Bumps and Babies Group: Gymboree, Baden Powell House. Every Tuesday 12:30 – 1:45pm, if your new to motherhood, this is a fantastic way to meet other people in the exact same boat. Its open to anyone, please drop by this welcoming and warm group. If you have a little one, they will love playing on the very clean, very fun Gymboree equipment. nctkensington@yahoo.co.uk.

Gate Picture House Notting Hill: Big Scream. Tuesdays 10:30. Come and enjoy a vintage theatre’s screening of Monsuer Lazhar with your infant. Great chance to see current cinema without having to shell out for a sitter. Nappy changing set up, dim lights so you can see what they are up to … fabulous morning out.

Baby and Toddler Events:

Isligton Tuusday 8th May, Chelsea Wednesday 9th May, Hampstead Garden Suburb Thursday 10th May, Borough Friday 11th May

Baby and Toddler Classes

Culture Kids Music Class: Chelsea, Marylebone and Hampstead

If you “like” Culture Kids on Facebook and write “fabwebsite” on their wall, you will get a discount on your classes. Check the schedule for times and prices and age groups.

Events for the Bigs, Smalls and the Whole Family:

Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival: St. Paul’s Church Sunday 13^th May from 12:30 – 5pm. Come and celebrate Punch’s 350^th birthday with a Punch and Judy Festival that includes folk music, maypole dancing, workshops, brass bands, clowns, food and fun. Free, drop in and have fun.

Whitechapel Gallery, The Factory of Confessions Family Workshop: Saturday 12^th May noon-4pm. have heard numerous positive reports from friends taking their kids to the Whitechapel events and I hope to make one soon. In Saturday’s workshop, families deliver confessions to each other using typed, spoken, edible and mapped formats. There will also be an activity trail with mask making, role playing and sing making … free, booking suggested.

Cecil Sharpe House, English Folk Dance and Song Society May in a Day: Sunday 12^th May 2pm-6pm. Bring the kids along to celebrate an afternoon of traditional English folk music and dancing. Tickets £6 adults, £4 children.

BMW London Symphony Orchestra Open Air Classic: Saturday 12^th May, 6:30pm. if you are still out and about Saturday evening, stop by Trafalgar Square for a free concert complete with big screens so children can get interesting views of the orchestra. Free, drop in.

^For Big Kids

Southbank, London Philharmonics Orchestra, The Cunning Little Vixen: come and listen to Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen with narrative adapted by Hannah Conway. From 10:30 – 2:00pm there will be “have a go” sessions with instruments. Tickets from £10, concert at noon in The Royal Festival Hall.

Wigmore Hall Dickens Discovery Family Day: explore the streets of Victorian London and Dickensian characters through music. A fabulous uber-cultural family event, your child will have the opportunity to perform, with the group on stage that day.

Fabulous Introductory Offer on In-home or On-Location family Photography from S&A Studios.

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:07:20 +0000

Fabulous Introductory Offer on In-home or On-Location family Photography from S&A Studios.

When our first child was born we were given a family photo shoot session and free print. We took them up on their offer and bought £1,000 more worth of prints with my generous maternity leave pay. I just looked up the rates for that photo shoot: £250, no prints. This is the standard for the top-ranked Google searches.

The cost of in-home photography in London is astronomical; I don’t blame the photographers as they, like the rest of us, are just trying to make ends meet in what is rapidly turning into an absurdly expensive playground for the criminally rich.

Instead of investing in prints, our second child’s birth was commemorated with the purchase of a DSLR that we faithfully tow around town, through airports, on trains and document their childhood as best we can. I find we take about 100 pictures for every keeper and I just do not have the time to delete those massive files, the card sits, the camera sits, our kids get older, we do nothing with our pictures … until along came S&A Studios.

These are two young entrepreneurs who see the chink in the market model. Keeping their overhead low by coming to you with their mobile studio (although they do have their own space); emailing proofs and chatting over the phone, they can offer high quality and service as a great price. For the time being, they are offering their services at cost while they set up their business. They come to your home, your park, your favourite London location and shoot all for £120 with 4 prints. What’s more, do your research beforehand; give them five examples of the photographic style that you like and watch them work their wonder. Our session is in the near future, and I look forward to learning more about the shoot and what they can deliver to families on a budget.

Best of London Baby, Toddler, Child and Family Events May 2012

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:44:20 +0000

Do check out my new sponsor, onefinestay. They offer a bespoke holiday home letting service that takes all the hassle out of hiring your house or flat out to holiday makers (they vet the guests, insure your belongings, use their own linens/toiletries and clean your flat!) it is worth a look. Be sure to mention London-baby.com if you fill out their two minute questionnaire to see how what kind of an income you might earn while away this summer.

Why not take Stars Gym and Creche up on their fantastic offer to try out their gym and crèche? Pay what you like, try it for free, try it for £5, take a look around and see if you could use Stars gym to keep up your current fitness levels or maybe improve.

Monday – Friday: 9:30 – 11:30

Ofsted registered crèche, very clean, very kind, very good, for 0-5 Read my review

Just for Babies:

Beaufort House Chelsea, Tuesday 1^st May, Lunch and a Film, 10am. Come to the opulent Beaufort House in Chelsea for a tea or coffee at 10am, watch The Help at 10:30, then enjoy a lunch course after the show. Relax in the sumptuous screening room with matting laid down for play area for babies and crawlers to roam around, there is a changing area and loads off room for your pushchair. Check it out!! £9.90 (may be the last time you get out to the cinema for a while…) 020 7352 2828, info@beaurforthousechelsea.com be sure to mention London-baby.com!!

Make a Play Date that Helps …

University College London’s Child Vision Lab at Moorfields Hospital needs mums and children to come in for a hour or so to aid studies aiming to help children with vision impairments. Read on about the day and do consider volunteering …

Baby and Toddler Events:

The Spring Fair at The Alice House, Queen’s Park. Wednesday 9:30 – 2:30. Come and check out London’s unique selection of gifts, clothing, book on sale while kids are entertained with music, movement, face painting, arts and crafts in the amazingly buggy and family-friendly Alice House in Queen’s Park.

Friday 4^th May, Dulwich, St. Barnabus Church

Baby and Toddler Classes

Culture Kids Music Class: Chelsea, Marylebone and Hampstead

If you “like” Culture Kids on Facebook and write “fabwebsite” on their wall, you will get a discount on your classes. Check the schedule for times and prices and age groups.

Pippa’s Poppets Kensington: Get half off this term’s fees for St. Luke’s Redcliffe Gardens for the first three people to write “I saw you on London-baby.com” on Pippa’s Facebook Page. The Award Winning singer, songwriter Pippa Cleary has expanded the ever popular Pippa’s Poppets into Kensington. So, come along on Thursday mornings to St. Luke’s Church, Redcliffe Gardens for some jazz hands, music making, soul-singing fun. 9:45 babies to 12 months, 10:30 todders to 2 years, 11:15 small children 2-3.5 years. £7.50 per class, paid termly.

Cadenza Music and Movement Classes West London Mums, come check out these fun-filled music classes for the under fives: Tuesdays, Paddenswick Rd, Holy Innocents Church, W6. Wendesdays Town Hall Ave, Christ Church, W4. Thursdays Uxbridge Road, W5, Ealing Town Hall.

Events for the Bigs and Smalls:

Spitafields City Farm Eco-Chic Family Outdoor Market. Sundays from 10am – 6pm, family-friendly market day celebrating locally sourced food, craft, art and fashion. Very close to Brick Lane, so you can have a fabulous day taking in some of the very best of what London has on offer.

Rock in Roll Family Dicso, Belsize Park, Saturdays, 4:00-5:00pm. Come to Interchange Studios and dance away to the 80’s with your kids!! Teach them what we sang and danced before they came along… the glory days!! £5 per adult, kids free.

The Wallace Collect Drop-in Art Workshop: The Little Draw. Sunday 5^th May, 1:30-4:30pm, free. Join artist Anna Saunders in an exploration of different approaches to creating works inspired by the museum’s fabulous collection. This makes a great Sunday as they Marylebone farmer’s market (huge) is on in the parking lot behind Waitrose, there is a great playground next to this, the shops of Marylebone High Street and Regent’ Park nearby.

The South London Gallery: The Sunday Spot. Sunday 6^th May, 2-4pm ages 3-12years old, free. I have yet to make it here myself, but rumour has it this is a wonderful way for families to enjoy a hands-on workshop. The current exhibit is Alice Channer, artist Wendy Ann Greenhalgh will lead your kids on an investigation of Channer’s work with an interesting investigative workshop.

The Geffrye Museum, Saturday 5^th May 10:30-12:30 and 2:00-4:00pm. Family Workshop, taste drinking chocolate and paint a mug with 17^th style patterns. Free, tickets allocated upon arrival 1/2hour before the start of the workshop.

Somerset House Family Workshops: Saturday 5^th May 2-4pm, ages 6+. Design a sculpture for a courtyard with water features taking inspiration from the grand surroundings at Somerset House. Workshop begins at 2pm and takes about half an hour; you can collect your ticket at 1pm.

Events for Big Kids

Institute Francais, Cavatina Family Concert. Saturday 5^th May, 10:45, children 4+. Come and listen to the Sacconi Quartet perform Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms in a concert designed for families. Please note, if children become unsettled and disruptively noisy, they should be taken out of the performance. £5 per adult, children free and juice included.

Oliver! Sing Along Workshop, Royal Festival Hall, Saturday 5^th May 4pm. Bring the kids, the family, everyone along for a workshop led by vocalist Ciara Burrow. Free, all ages

Heading out of London for the Summer Holidays? Then think about renting out your home with onefinestay …

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:28:29 +0000

Heading out of London for the Summer Holidays? Then think about renting out your home with onefinestay …

I came across a cunning site this week, onefinestay, a member’s service offering those with grand, stylish, unique or characterful London homes the opportunity to rent out their space to screened, insured and vetted guests. The concept seems a great fit for all of us jet-setters packing up and leaving town for the holidays; leave your home with onefinestay and let their houseguests pay you for a unique holiday experience.

My latest sponsor is the brain-child of three savvy and forward-thinking entrepreneurs who decided there needs to be a hassle-free way for people with nice London homes to rent them out when they are away. This is not the “let me crash in your pad” or “let’s rent to 7 gap year boys from abroad” type of service. onefinestay has worked out all the fiddly details regarding insurance and antiques, cleaning, and linens so that you can leave your luxury home in the trusted care of this high-end client services team and their fully vetted houseguests.

onefinestay will clean your flat before their guests arrive; they will put their own linens on your beds and towels in your bathrooms; they will even leave toiletries and sundries for your houseguests. After the guests have gone home, a team will come and put your clean linens back on your beds and then give your home a really good scrub.

How does this all work?

The process of becoming a member is fairly involved. onefinestay will come and take a detailed inventory of your home and photograph it for marketing purposes. They will gather all the benign and important information about your home like where fuses, boilers, alarms, central heating are located and operated. You can designate a room off-limits and specify that your rare vintage wine collection not be consumed.

As a member of onefinestay, you have the peace of mind that if any problems arise with your property while you are away, with houseguests or not, they have the keys, know the flat and can run over and address the problem (I know this keeps some insurance companies very happy).

Once you are confirmed as a member, you can saunter off, care-free and enjoy the income you make off onefinstay’s guests.

Is my flat big enough or posh enough?

onefinestay is looking for characteful and unique properties. Not every client is looking to rent eight bedroom houses on garden squares, though many are; but there are loads of holiday makers who would be just as happy in a flat. You can easily give your home the boutique hotel look by investing in some gold mirror-type accent pieces and a few Union Jack throw cushions.

What is the commitment?

onefinestay needs a minimum of five weeks a year to take you on as a member. This can be one long summer holiday or a series of weekends.

What if I rent?

Simple, just check with your landlord if there is any reason they would not agree to this.

Can onefinestay do short-term lettings of my flat?

onefinestay specialises in London holiday lets of very special and unique homes. A sterile corporate let would not be the kind of property they are looking for, but something lived in and special is the kind of property they are on the lookout for.

If you would like to find out how much your home could earn you then please take onefinestay’s two minute questionnaire.

Monday 23rd – Sunday 29th April London Baby, Toddler, Child, Family Events and Activities

admin — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 11:20:14 +0000

Stars Gym and Creche, Chelsea and Battersea’s newest gym is offering London-baby readers a wonderful Spring offer: come and try out Stars gym and crèche (9:30-11:30am Monday-Friday) and pay what you like. Try it out, get fit for Summer, bring your 0-5 year old to the crèche and get your groove back. Feel free to ring ahead, or just pop in, mention London-baby.com and pay what you like. The crèche is Ofsted registered and certified, clean, calm and lovely. Read my review

Make a Play Date that Helps …

The Kensington & Chelsea NCT branch are holding a Spring Nearly New Sale on Saturday 12 May 2012, 11.15am to 1pm. Early entry at 11am is open to all NCT members (upon display of NCT membership card). For our Spring Sale we will have more rooms, more sellers, more refreshments and fabulous goody bags! We can’t wait to see you there. Entry will be ticketed at £2 per person and is open to both NCT members and non-members. The first 100 customers will receive a free goody bag.

Interested in selling your unwanted baby/children’s clothing, toys, equipment and furniture? Why not book a table at our Sale – simply email nnsnctkensington@yahoo.co.uk with your interest. Please note: cash sales only. Contact: nnsnctkensington@yahoo.co.uk or 0844 243 0007. http://www.facebook.com/KensingtonAndChelseaNCT

Pimlico Academy Free School Proposal: It’s very important that you read and participate in the discussion about the proposal for a Free School to be built on the Pimlico Academy campus. Read about the proposal here and do take the time to register your favour or concerns on this survey. This directly impacts families in Pimlico and beyond as the free schools and academy programs are rapidly expanding around England.

Just for Babies:

Gate Picture House Notting Hill: Big Scream. Come and enjoy a vintage theatre’s screening of Marley with your infant. Great chance to see current cinema without having to shell out for a sitter. Nappy changing set up, dim lights so you can see what they are up to … fabulous morning out.

Baby and Toddler Classes

Culture Kids Music Class: Chelsea, Marylebone and Hampstead

If you “like” Culture Kids on Facebook and write “fabwebsite” on their wall, you will get a discount on your classes http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Culture-Kids/177573312295777 Check the schedule for times and prices and age groups. The new term commences 23^rd April, be sure to book now and avoid disappointment.

Pippa’s Poppets Kensington: Get half off this term’s fees for St. Luke’s Redcliffe Gardens for the first three people to write “I saw you on London-baby.com” on Pippa’s Facebook Page The Award Winning singer, songwriter Pippa Cleary has expanded the ever popular Pippa’s Poppets into Kensington. So, come along on Thursday mornings to St. Luke’s Church, Redcliffe Gardens for some jazz hands, music making, soul singing fun. 9:45 babies to 12 months, 10:30 todders to 2 years, 11:15 small children 2-3.5 years. £7.50 per class, paid termly.

Classical Babies: Tuesday, 24^th April Primrose Hill, Julia White on Oboe and the fabulous Georgina Whitehead on guitar (our favourite violin tutor BTW).

Wednesdays, 11:00am, Belisize Park, Interchange Studios. £10 per family for a delightful classical concert that is completely baby and toddler friendly, the perfect mid-week bit of brain candy read more about the fabulous bit of motherhood: My review

Cadenza Music and Movement Classes for the under fives: Tuesdays, Paddenswick Rd, Holy Innocents Church, W6. Wendesdays Town Hall Ave, Christ Church, W4. Thursdays Uxbridge Road, W5, Ealing Town Hall.

Events for the Bigs and Smalls:

The South London Gallery: The Sunday Spot. Sunday 29^th, 2-4pm ages 3-12years old, free. I have yet to make it here myself, but rumour has it this is a wonderful way for families to enjoy a hands-on workshop. The current exhibit is Alice Channer, artist Wendy Ann Greenhalgh will lead your kids on an investigation of Channer’s work with an interesting investigative workshop.

Gate Picture House Kids Club: Come and see a film for £1 (with £4 membership), £2 for popcorn and juice. This week’s screening is Underdog. Right by Notting Hill Gate underground, Princess Diana Memorial Playground, Notting Hill Farmer’s Market … great day out all around.

The Ballad of St. George the Dragon: Southwark Cathedral, Monday 23^rd, 4:45pm, all ages, free. Brought to you by The Lions Part Theatre Group, this 12 minute ballad of the slaying of St. George the Dragon is based on a 500 year old ballad originally written about St. Elgamore, but adapted to the story of St. George. This is done in the tradition of English Combat Play, which is part nursery rhyme, part Shakespeare, part alchemy tracts and dragon lore, part improve … all in 12 minutes. I cannot think of anything more interesting for my two kids on Monday afternoon.

Somerset House Family Workshops: Saturday 28^th April 2-4pm, ages 6+ Charm Offensive: come and make your own lucky charms that tell a story. Workshop begins at 2pm and takes about half an hour; you can collect your ticket at 1pm.

The Forge Arts Venue: Keys and Coffee: Sunday 29^th April, 10:30am. Bring the kids to this child-friendly, laid back Sunday morning concert. This week be entertained by Victor Sicard, Baritone and Anna Cardona on Piano. Tickets £9 online and £10 at the door, coffee and tea included.

Events for Big Kids

World Shakespeare Festival Matinees at The Globe Theatre: Take the bigger kids out of school for the afternoon for a fabulous literacy lesson – £5 for standing room, £10 for seats. Run them over to the Globe one afternoon this week and see:

Measure for Measure: Tuesday 24^th, 2:30

The Merry Wives of Windsor: Wednesday 25^th, 2:30

Pericles: Thursday 26^th, 2:30

Twelfth Night: Friday 27^th, 2:30

Richard III: Saturday 28^th, 2:30 & Sunday 29^th, 1:30

Monday 16th – Sunday 22nd April Best of London’s Baby, Toddler, Child and Family Events

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 10:10:04 +0000

Make a Play Date that Helps …

Culture Kids Music Class: Chelsea, Marylebone and Hampstead

Please note: cash sales only. Contact: nnsnctkensington@yahoo.co.uk or 0844 243 0007. http://www.facebook.com/KensingtonAndChelseaNCT

For Babies and Toddlers:

Pippa’s Poppets Kensington: The Award Winning singer, songwriter Pippa Cleary has expanded the ever popular Pippa’s Poppets into Kensington. Come along on Thursday mornings to St. Luke’s Church, Redcliffe Gardens for some jazz hands, music making, soul singing fun. 9:45 babies to 12 months, 10:30 todders to 2 years, 11:15 small children 2-3.5 years. £7.50 per class, paid termly.

Classical Babies: (new web site coming along shortly) Monday 16^th April, 10:30 at St. Columba’s Knightsbridge. Come to St. Columba’s and enjoy a fabulous concert Monday morning. What a great way to start the week!! Also, Friday 20^th April, 11:00am, O2 Centre, Finchley.

Events for toddlers and bigger kids:

Royal Festival Hall, When Spring Comes, ages 2-5yrs. Come and enjoy dance by Vipal Bhatti, jazz on trumpet performed by Sean Corby and illustrations by Amberin Huq in this Half Moon Young People’s Theatre production for young children. Friday 20^th- Sunday 22^nd April, 11:00am and 2:00pm. Tickets: £8

National Gallery Magic Carpet Ride, under 5s. Sundays 10:30 – 11:00 and 11:30 – noon, tickets allocated 1 hour before. Come and enjoy an insightful story about a painting in the gallery with enough movement and walking to keep the little ones occupied while they get cultured up. Free

National Portrait Gallery, Storytelling: The Real Miss Havisham. Come and learn the inspiration for the jilted matriarch from Great Expectations. Afterwards, join in making a mouse, ages 3+ 10:30 & 1:30.

Events for Big Kids

National Gallery, Art Workshops: Paint Making. Sunday 22^nd April, 11:00am – 1:00pm & 2:00-4:00pm. Come and learn about paint making with artist Charles Hustwick through an investigation of different paintings. Tickets allocates one hour before workshop, free. Ages 5-11

National Portrait Gallery Family Art Workshop: Bookmaking. Rifling on the Dickensian theme, bring your kids along to make their own book. Saturday 21^st April, 11:30 & 2:30, ages 5+, free, tickets allocated 1 hour before.

Events, activities and workshops for the bigs and smalls:

The Forge Arts Venue: Keys and Coffee: Sunday 22^nd April, 10:30am. Bring the kids to this child-friendly, laid back Sunday morning concert. This week be entertained by Ashok Klouda and John Reid. Tickets £9 online and £10 at the door, coffee and tea included.

Classics with my Baby: As seen in the Independent, Time Out, and reviewed by Gramophone Magazine, this critically acclaimed concert series is specifically designed for parents and children (0-5 years) to enjoy together. The series opens its doors to children of all ages for this Easter holiday concert (yes, still free for all children).

“The Art of Song” Tenor Norbert Meyn joins Miaomiao and Philippa to bring a programme of Arts Songs from the classical masters. Hear of a child’s longing for Spring (here was Mozart in 1791 stuck in Viennese snow); flowers and burning love (Haydn felt this long before Elvis); the hurly-burly of roaring cannons and ships at sea (Haydn again) and tales of wandering spirits…

Tickets: Adults £10 at door (or purchase online tickets here) Children FREE

Eat cake and mingle from 10:00am and concert begins at 10:30am. My review
Hampstead Village 17^th April

Wimbledon Wed 18^th April

Notting Hill Thur 19^th April

Clapham Fri 20^th April

Culture Kids Music Classes in Chelsea

admin — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 11:47:50 +0000

Culture Kids

This is one well-thought out and executed baby and toddler singing class.

Brain child of Mia; who took her love of children, travel and music and created a fabulous business; Culture Kids has entertained hundreds of children for over 8 years.

Instead of going over the exact same repertoire with the exact same rotation of toys, Culture Kids aim is to never do the same thing twice. Someone behind the scenes must have an MBA in supply chain management. Somehow Beth arrives each week in Chelsea with over 10 songs prepared and about 10 different sets of high-quality, clean props for the children.

These props are so intriguing. One group was a set miniature butterfly lifecycle figures, an egg, caterpillar and butterfly. Then there was a cleverly thought out caterpillar that unfurled into butterfly. All of this was accentuated with drums, maracas, flowers, sunglasses, butterfly wings, xylophones and more centred on the theme of summer.

Beth brings great energy and enthusiasm without broaching on the nauseating end of children’s entertainers. She’s fun and cool; you will have a good laugh with her after class if you like.

We have only been to the music class, but Culture Kids does cooking classes on Thursdays in Chelsea, art classes in Hampstead also on a Thursday. Further, Culture-kids does amazing bespoke birthday parties!! These parties are a fantastic way of having an happy, healthy, worry-free party for young and old alike.

This is not your average children’s’ class, its engaging and fun for all, week in and out and worth every penny.