Harrogate district school launches parent and baby group to help with cost-of-living crisis

A Harrogate district private primary school is launching a new free monthly parent and baby group for children up to the age of three. 

Belmont Grosvenor School (BGS), which is based at Swarcliffe Hall in Birstwith, will hold its first session of First Steps in its Magic Tree Nursery on Friday, February 24. 

Meeting on the last Friday of each month, parents and babies up to the age of 36 months will be offered a different free activity, such as yoga or dance, aimed at encouraging a child’s development in their early years.  

Belmont Grosvenor School nursery manager Joanne Henderson said: 

“At this time, when the entire country is struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, First Steps parent-and-baby group at BGS is something that is free and will hopefully benefit local families.

“The activities we have planned for our monthly meetings are experiences our children here at BGS enjoy and we wanted to share them with our local community.” 

The first session, on February 24, will be Music and Dance, hosted by Belmont Grosvenor’s music co-ordinator Mrs Jo Sadler. Aimed at babies from birth to 18 months, the session will include action songs, stories and dance, as well as the chance to have fun with the musical instruments. 

On Friday, March 31, there’s an Easter Egg scavenger hunt across Belmont Grosvenor’s 20 acres of grounds planned for older children, from 12-months to three years, with an Easter treat at the end.

Hazel Roman from Harrogate Baby Massage will be running a free First Steps class for parents and babies at BGS on Friday, April 28 while older children will be able to sign up for a Forest School session through First Steps on Friday, May 26.  

All sessions are free and will run from 9.30 to 11am but need to be booked in advance. Free tea, coffee and snacks will be provided, as well as everything needed to take part. 

To book a free slot, go to Belmont Grosvenor’s website, or call Belmont Grosvenor on 01423 771029, or email admin@belmontgrosvenor.co.uk.

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Baby group to bring children and Knaresborough care home residents together

A baby group is being held at a Knaresborough care home in a bid to build community links between generations and combat loneliness.

Tiny Tots and Tea Cups will see elderly residents at The Manor House encouraged to sing and play with babies and toddlers.

Activities co-ordinator Katie Pickering is organising the free event with her colleague Joanne Meredith.

She was inspired after talking to a friend who had a lockdown baby, and also witnessing the positive effect of taking her children to visit her grandparents.

She said:

“We have been looking to get more involved in the local community now covid restrictions are lifting.
“I had a friend who had a baby in lockdown, who said it was one of the loneliest experiences she’s had. So I thought it would be a good idea to run a parent and baby group here. People from all generations can suffer from loneliness.

“Children can sometimes connect to people on a level that adults can’t. I took my daughters to see my grandparents and my grandad later told me it had been such a boost for my grandmother.”

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Katie put out a post on the Harrogate Mumbler Facebook page asking if anyone would be interested in attending.

Following a huge response, the first Tiny Tots and Tea Cups session will take place at The Manor House, Hambleton Grove, on Thursday, June 16, from 11am until 2pm.

Refreshments will be provided and there will also be baby toys and sensory items for the children, which have been cleaned and sterilised. Children up to pre-school age can attend and there is no need to book.

Katie added:

“Our only request is that parents wear a face mask, as we are a care home setting and it is still a legal requirement for us.
“If the response is good and people like it, we can look to make this a regular group. So far it has all been really positive.”