Childcare
Finding quality childcare is very important for parents. On this page we list infomation and provide links to help you find:
- Holiday childcare and Holiday Activities
- Nursery and Pre-School Provision for Under 5s
- Finding Childminders and other local childcare
- Breakfast and After-School Clubs for Ages 4½ -11 Years
Holiday childcare and Holiday Activities
Parents asked us to let them know about the different activities and clubs available during the school holidays, be it holiday clubs providing childcare or activities to keep their children active and interested.
You can view the latest lists below. Currently we produce leaflets for the SUMMER, CHRISTMAS and EASTER holidays. Although we don't produce leaflets for the half term holidays, you'll find that lots of the organisations listed provide clubs and activities at half terms too, so you can still use the contact info to check out what they might be offering.
There are some fantastic holiday activities available locally, from sports to craft and drama activities and children’s multi-activity weeks. In response to your requests, we’ve included more for our older pupils, so on our leaflets check out the activities indicated with a Good for Teens flash.
FOR LOTS OF IDEAS ABOUT WHAT TO DO DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
From Tots to Teens, there's Something for Everyone!
Below are printable copies of our recent holiday leaflets: |
Nursery and Pre-School Provision for Under 5s
Five of the Local Authority schools/Children's Centres within The Godalming Confederation of Schools offer nursery provision for 3 to 5 year olds:
- Loseley Fields Children's Centre (a Sure Start children's centre)
- The Wharf Nursery School and Children's Centre (a Sure Start Children's Centre)
- Elstead & Villages Sure Start Children's Centre
- Farncombe Infant and Nursery School
- Green Oak C of E Primary & Nursery School
In addition to nursery provision during normal school hours, the three Sure Start Children's Centres offer extended services: longer hours and/or parental/family support services. Details about these nurseries and Children's Centes can be found below.
There are also numerous INDEPENDENT nursery and pre-school groups in our area, and numerous parent & toddler groups. You can view and print a list of these groups, covering Godalming, Farncombe, Busbridge, Elstead, Shackleford, Thursley, Milford, Witley, Brook and Hambledon. The list was updated in 2012.
Local Authority Nursery Provision within the Godalming Confederation of Schools |
Loseley Fields Children's Centre Green Lane Binscombe Godalming Surrey GU7 3TB 01483 419325 |
Loseley Fields Children’s Centre aims to provide excellence in two distinct aspects of its service: Full & sessional childcare: Providing childcare from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, 50 weeks of the year. Qualified experienced staff provide an individually tailored, exciting and varied programme for your child. To ensure best practice in all aspects of your child’s care and early years education, Loseley Fields Children’s Centre has adopted the Early Years Foundation Stage (for more information about this, click here).
A programme of early years centred services... ...that offers advice and practical help to families with young children in Binscombe, Farncombe, Shalford and Godalming. These services include:
Click on the logo to the left to link to the centre's own website for more information, or contact the Centre Manager, Jim Carson, or the Childcare Manager, Catherine Hawksworth, on Telephone: 01483 419325, |
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The Wharf Nursery School and Children's Centre Nursery: The Wharf Woolsack Way Godalming Surrey GU7 1JG 01483 415220 Children's Centre: The Eashing Building Green Oak School Franklyn Road Godalming Surrey GU7 2LD 01483 418652
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The Wharf is a local authority Nursery School and Sure Start Children's Centre in Godalming. The Nursery provides free early years education for children aged 3 to 5 and is accessible to all but gives priority to families with a higher level of need. The Wharf has been educating the young children of Godalming since 1947. In addition to normal term time nursery hours, The Wharf's Sure Start Children's Centre (operating from The Eashing Building behind Green Oak School) offers extended hours childcare from 8am to 6pm for children on roll and other activities including holiday activities. Places are limited; please contact the nursery for details. Their professional staff consists of well qualified and experienced teachers and nursery nurses. Staff turnover is low and staff to child ratios are excellent. The nursery has places for 48 children at any time. 26 younger children attend part-time session (morning or afternoon) and 22 older children attend full-time. The nursery is very popular and children’s names go on the waiting list from age one. The Wharf Children's Centre’s support for families, childminders and other early years settings includes the following regular activities:
Special events that have taken place or are planned at The Wharf Children's Centre include:
The Nursery & Children's Centre also supports families with:
If you want to know more about life at The Wharf Nursery, contact Mrs Mandy Heslop, Headteacher, on Telephone: 01483 415220, Email: office@wharf.surrey.sch.uk To find out more about activities at The Wharf Children's Centre contact Manager Carol Lowries, on 01483 418652 . |
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Elstead & Villages Sure Start Childen's Centre St James Primary SchoolThursley Road Elstead Surrey GU8 6DH 01252 706915 |
Elstead & Villages Sure Start Children's Centre provides a variety of activities and services for children aged 0 to 5 accompanied by their parents/carers. It covers the villages of Boundstone, Bourne, Brook, Churt, Dockenfield, Elstead, Frensham, Rowledge, Shortheath, Thursley, Tilford and Wrecclesham. More details are available on their website: www.evsscc.org.uk Mondays – all activities at the Centre in Elstead Help is at Hand – 9.30am - 11.30am - A drop in session for anyone with little ones, who needs advice, information, or just a listening ear. Toddler Play & Learn - 9.30-10.30 - A drop in interactive messy play session for toddlers up to 5 years. Come along and explore new and exciting ways to play. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Baby Play & Learn - 11.00-12 noon - A drop in interactive messy play session for pre-walkers. Come along and explore new and exciting ways to play. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Wednesdays - all activities at Wrecclesham Community Centre, Greenfield Road GU9 8TJ Help is at Hand - 1.00pm - 2.30pm. A drop in session for anyone with little ones, who needs advice, information, or just a listening ear. Family Play & Learn - 1.00pm -2.30pm. For children aged 0-5, just drop in for a fun-filled play session with a variety of toys, creative and messy activities, and meet other local families. For advice and information drop in or call between 9.30 -11.30am on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Elstead Centre and 1.00pm -2.30pm on Wednesdays at Wrecclesham Community Centre. ALL ACTIVITIES ARE FREE and are DROP-IN, so no need to book. Family Fun Days and other activities run through the holidays. Please get in touch to find out more. The EVSSCC office is open from Monday to Wednesday 9.00am – 1.00pm. or email - ccadvice@st-james-elstead.surrey.sch.uk |
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Farncombe Church of England Infant and Nursery School Grays Road Farncombe Godalming Surrey GU7 3LT 01483 424933 |
Farncombe Church of England Infant and Nursery School provides a caring and supportive environment and has high expectations of success. The staff team is committed to creating an enthusiasm for learning and providing the best education to enable all our children to achieve their full potential. Ages 3-5 The Foundation Stage Click below to link to the school's website, or contact the school on Telephone: 01483 424933, E-mail: info@farncombe.surrey.sch.uk Headteacher: Mrs Andrea Simonsson |
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Busy Bees Nursery Green Oak C of E Primary School & Nursery Franklyn Road Godalming Surrey GU7 2LD 01428 422924 |
Green Oak is a school where children can have a secure and continuous education from 3 - 11. Busy Bees Nursery is a thriving nursery with some full time & some part time places. There are 26 places for each morning and afternoon sessions. We have a nursery teacher, a very experienced nursery nurse and one full time & 2 part time nursery assistants.The nursery works closely with our reception class 'Hedgehogs' where one full time teacher and early years assistant ensure a great start to formal education. For more information, contact Telephone: 01483 422 924 Email: info@green-oak.surrey.sch.uk Headteacher: Mrs Hilary Loder |
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| Mobile Children's Centres for South West Surrey | At the end of 2008 , Karen Ayrton was appointed Mobile Children's Centre Co-ordinator, based at Loseley Fields Children's Centre, Binscombe. As part of her role to develop and co-ordinate links with Children's Centres in rural areas of South West Surrey, she has available 2 well equipped mobile buses, which visit areas on a regular basis offering a variety of services to these communities, depending on their needs. The buses are also be available for one off events. The areas covered are: Central Godalming, Guildford Tillingbourne (Chilworth Centre), Pilgrims & Tongham (St Paul's Children's Centre, Tongham), Worplesdon (St Paul's Children's Centre, Tongham), Cranleigh (Christopher Robin Nursery), Frensham & Elstead, Chiddingfold & Dunsfold, Clandon & Horsley (Boxgrove Children's Centre), Haslemere & Hindhead. Karen Ayrton can be contacted at Loseley Fields Children's Centre, on 01483 419325, email: mobile@loseleyfieldscc.com |
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Finding Childminders and Other Local Childcare
In addition to the lists of nurseries and pre-school care above, the Surrey Family Information Service, provided by Surrey County Council, can help you find childminders and other local childcare - see the information below:
Surrey Family Information Service Childcare and Education Advice pages
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Part of the Surrey County Coucil website, these pages explain about types of childcare, what support is available and offer general information. Follow the link entitled 'Childcare Choices' to find information about finding a childminder. The information covers what a childminder is, things parents might consider when looking for childminder and provides a link to the Directgov website which gives infoartmion about childminders in your local area. Click to link to the Surrey Family Information Service childcare pages. |
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Breakfast and After-School Clubs for Ages 4½ -11 Years
After School Clubs/Care for Children 4½ -11 Years
Most of our schools run short after school clubs/activities for the children at their school. For details of what is available at your school, please contact the school directly.
The After School Clubs/Care listed here are of the sort where your child can go if, for example, you are a working parent who cannot pick up at normal school hours. Most are run by independent nurseries, a couple are run by our schools, all are registered for childcare, with the protection that affords (qualified staff, CRB checked, inspected etc.). Numbers are usually limited and there is a charge, which will vary depending on the number and length of sessions you need. You will need to contact them directly to check availability and cost.
The Chandler C of E Junior School Middlemarch, Roke Lane, Witley GU8 5PB |
School's Out Club In addition to the clubs run after school for its pupils, The Chandler offers its pupils structured after school care with its Schools Out Club, Mon-Fri 3.20-6.00pm. Activities vary each session. Sessions cost £12 per day for the full period (3.20-6.00pm), £10 per day for two hours (3.20 -5.30pm), or £6 if the child attends a school club first and then goes onto Schools Out. For more information, a schedule or booking details, contact the school office at The Chandler on 01428 683071, E-mail: info@thechandlercofejuniorschool.org.uk, or drop in to the office. |
Barnkids The Barn, Penang Farm Combe Lane Surrey GU8 4XL |
Barnkids offers an after school club for 5-10 year olds, from 3 to 6pm, with a collection service provided from these local schools:
Call 01428 685633 for details or email: enquiries@barnkinds.co.uk, |
Ladybird Nursery Fern Road, Godalming |
Ladybird Nursery offers an after school club for 5-8 year olds, from 3 to 6pm (extension available to 7pm), with a collection service currently provided from these local schools:
Contact Pamela Twocock on 01483 426717, |
Major Minors Bridge Road Godalming GU7 3DU |
Major Minors offers an out of school care service, “Schooligans”, available term time between 3.30pm and 6.00pm (extensions until 7.00pm can be arranged on an individual child basis). Specifically designed mini buses deliver and collect children from four local schools:
They also offer a “Breakfast Club” for before school care from 8.00am until 9.00am (or from 7.00am by prior arrangement). The children are then taken to their respective schools. Breakfast is included. Schooligans have their own room in the nursery where they have access to a wide range of equipment including computers. There is also have a “Homework Corner” which is surprisingly popular! In the afternoon Tea is provided on arrival. There is a range of activity choices and projects each term often focusing on specific geography or natural world topics. It is only practical for us to accept children who are in the Reception Class or higher of an infant, junior or primary school. Schooligans is primarily to support parents whose eldest child has graduated from Major Minors and who has a younger sibling still attending the nursery. Schooligans is not open to children who are in other nursery settings or secondary education. Contact: Rachael Gurney (Acting Manager) on Tel: 01483 424646 |
Rocking Horse Nursery, Godalming 7 Woodside Park Catteshall Lane Godalming GU7 1LG |
Rocking Horse offers an after school club for 5-8 year olds, from 3 to 6pm, with a collection service currently provided from these local schools:
Contact Celia Hulme on 01483 860273 for details or email: rockinghorsenursery@googlemail.com |
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Breakfast Clubs for Children 4½ -11 Years
The Chandler C of E Junior School Middlemarch, Roke Lane, Witley GU8 5PB |
Breakfast Club The Chandler Breakfast Club runs Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 8.40am. It costs £4 per day with breakfast to include cereal, toast and fruit juice. ( £3 no breakfast). For more information or booking details, contact the school office: The Chandler on 01428 683071, |
Farncombe Infant & Nursery School Earlybirds Club Grays Road, Farncombe, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 3LT |
Farncombe Infant & Nursery School runs an Earlybirds Club - all pupils in the main school are welcome to come along from 8am every morning. Earlybirds is a 'drop-in' club so there is no need to book in advance. The cost per child is £2. This can be paid daily or weekly. Children in Earlybirds play with construction sets, puzzles and games from 8.00 until 8.25, when they tidy up. They then enjoy a story until 8.40 when they are collected by a teacher and taken to their classes. Tel: 01483 424933 Email: info@farncombe.surrey.sch.uk |
Major Minors Bridge Road, Godalming, GU7 3DU |
Major Minors offers a Breakfast Club for 4½ -11 year olds, from 8am - 9am (can extend to 7am), where the children have breakfast and play and then get taken to school. Currently they only deliver to:
Numbers are limited and there is a charge, which will vary depending on the number and length of sessions you need. Contact: Alison Smith (Manager) or Rachel Gurney (Deputy Mgr) on Tel: 01483 424646 |
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This site is regularly updated so new contacts may be added at any time.
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