Groups for Children, Parents and Carers

These groups, for parents or carers and their children under three, run on a weekly basis, term time only on Thursday & Friday mornings, 9.30 - 11.15am.

The groups here are for children under the age of 5 with their parents or carers and run on a weekly basis. Childminders are encouraged to go along to the childminders group on a Tuesday morning at West Street but Grandparents and family members offering care are welcome to attend the Stay and Play sessions.

Monday and Tuesday Stay and Play groups at Goodwyns Road, 9.30 - 11.15am.

This is a term-time drop-in 'Stay and Play' session at Dorking Nursery School Children's Centre each Tuesday morning from 9.30am - 11.15am (term-time only) for all local registered childminders as well as homebased carers who are registered with Ofsted. The group provides fun and stimulating activities for the children in their care.  It also enables childminders to share best practice and to support each other.

There is a noticeboard for both parents and childminders, including information for parents on how to choose a childminder, future group activities for childminders and childminding training opportunities as well as a vacancy list for childminders to advertise their availability to new parents and carers. For a list of local childminders or help in finding one, contact Nicole Lawrence, the Childminders Group representative, by email - lawrenceandsons@gmail.com.

A drop in group for expectant Mums and Babies under 1 year. Come along and meet other parents and have a play with your baby in a friendly environment. No pre-booking needed.  

The Kickers and Crawlers drop in is held at our Goodwyns Road site and  runs at the same time as the baby clinic held by the health visitors. Advice on breast feeding is available from trained staff throughout the session.

We run a relaxed and informal Early Days drop in, which includes post-natal information and is available for all expectant Mums/Dads and parents of new borns. There is breast feeding support available as well as advice on sleep, baby massage and brain development in infants. This quiet group is a good first activity for you and baby and is held in the Playroom at our Goodwyns Road site.

To register your interest in this group please ring 01306 740095. For more information please ask to speak to Jackie.

The Early Days Drop in group is weekly on Friday mornings from 11.30am to 1.00pm. We provide a sandwich snack and a drink and we ask for a donation of £1.50 each week.

All young parents are welcome at all our Kickers and Crawlers and Stay and Play sessions at both sites

Our Outreach team are able to offer support to young parents in their own home as well as in the Centre. If you would like any advice or support with managing things like baby's sleep, feeding, and behaviour or you would like to talk to someone about money issues or a difficult relationship, please give us a call and we can arrange for you to meet with one of our Outreach team. 

We offer a free weekly postnatal depression support group for mothers. Currently this is running at Leatherhead Children's Centre.  It provides help and support for anyone who is experiencing low moods, anxiety or postnatal depression.The group (term time only) is run by Cedar House, a specialist charity that provides a confidential and supportive environment to help mothers and their families. A free creche is also available. Please call or email Sophie on 01306 740095 or sophie@dorking.surrey.sch.uk for more information. 

Tadpoles is a small group for 2 year olds and their parents exploring their learning and development, with a focus on speech and language, emotions and socialising. It is ideal for those who have been home-visited or any who have just turned 2 years old.  

If you are interested in attending the next group for 2 year olds, please ring the centre and we will add your name to the waiting list.