Children’s Hobbies and Child Care Around Notting Hill

So you have moved to your new West London dream home and life is just perfect.  The location, the views, the transport links and shops are all you ever needed and as close as you could have possibly ever wished for.  But there is just one thing…what do you do when your kiddies have finished school at 3.30pm and you are still at work?

 Worry not dear mummies and daddies we have a few ideas that may be of help; if you are new to the U.K and are not familiar with the educational system, it may be worth while popping in to your child’s school and asking a few questions.  The majority of schools have after school activities ranging from net ball or foot ball to chess club and computers.  The government over the past year has also been strongly promoting the idea of healthy living and so many schools are now ensuring that they offer fitness clubs( dance, athletics, rugby)  and cooking clubs in order to teach the adults of tomorrow how to take care of themselves in order to have a healthy body and mind.  These get togethers normally run from 3.30pm till about 6pm often allowing the pupils a “focus” hour or so to finish their homework.  Homework or “prep” clubs, as they are referred to, are also offered and (having been to them myself when I was younger) are an ideal way of focusing a child on the work they have to complete for tomorrow without the noise and distractions of parents and siblings at home. After school clubs are also an ideal opportunity for your child to learn a new art (singing or choir, piano or flute, painting, sewing etc.) without the pressure and constant examination of a school day. 

 If you are searching for day care, i.e. nannies, it is better to go via a reputable nanny agency, as then you can ensure that your child’s guardian will have the necessary police checks (CRB) and first aid training should your little one need it.  Nannying agencies find nannies that are specifically tailored to your needs, for example, if you are moving over from Greece and need someone who speaks both Greek and English, who cooks Greek food (as this is what your children are used to eating) and who can drive, the agency will pick out two or three people from their books who suit the specification and will suggest you meet them and pick the one of your choice.

 If you do not want to take on a full time nanny it is possible to either book them part time or to take on a child minder.  Child minders are people who take on all the after school responsibilities such as pick ups, feeding the little ones etc from 3.30pm until you are able to pick your child up, and generally they run this service from their own home.

 A few after school activities to look at in the Notting Hill area are listed below but there are plenty more so get googling!

www.harbourclubnottinghill.com – Tennis for adults and children plus other activities

www.westlondondanceacademy.com- Ballett classes.

www.perform.co.uk – drama, music.

www.chelseafc.com- football.