Seashells Children and Families Centre
Our activities
Whether you are a Dad, a Mum, a Grandparent or Carer we welcome everyone living within our area to join in our activities and events.
Unless otherwise shown the age range for children that can attend these activities is from birth to 4 years. Please see our monthly newsletters for a detailed timetable.
Here is a flavour of what we have on offer:
Aqua Tots
Ever wanted to take your child(ren) swimming but wished you had an extra pair of hands, or wanted to see a friendly face? Now here's your chance.
Sure Start Sheerness offers help both in the water and changing room (if needed) during the Aquatot session at Sheerness swimming pool. Volunteers will be there every week during term time.
There are toys to play with in the water, a couple of aqua seats for young children and a healthy snack afterwards. There is a reduced price for families registered with Seashells who live in Sheerness; please contact Gaynor for a membership card.
Baby Bounce & Rhyme
Baby Bounce and Rhyme sessions are for children from birth and their parents/carers. The sessions are a fun way to encourage an early love of language, rhymes and songs and can be a firm foundation for learning to read.
Each session lasts about 30 minutes and includes nursery rhymes, clapping and bouncing rhymes, action songs and musical instruments with fun activities to take part in afterwards. For more information, phone Kate on 667070 or visit Kent Libraries for children website.
Baby Massage
Massage enhances the process of bonding between a parent and their baby. It helps to establish a warm, loving relationship. It is a way for parents to express their love and develop a better understanding of their child. Touch aids your baby's development both physically and emotionally and is also an effective way to calm an unsettled baby.
We are unable to offer any courses or classes for baby massage at present. Please re-visit the Website for future updates.
Baby Signing
Come along to Baby Signing where you can:
- have fun singing and signing with your baby
- learn important signs to share with your baby at home!
Ideal for babies & toddlers of all ages & stages. Drop in and have some fun. For more information, phone Debbie on 889233.
Baby Yoga
Breast Buddies
Breastfeeding has benefits for both you and your little one. Breast milk contains antibodies that protect your baby from infections, and has been found to protect babies from getting asthma and eczema. Sheerness Children & Families Centre actively promotes breastfeeding and we hope you feel comfortable doing so at any event/activity or within the centre.
Breast Buddies is a group run by mums who have been trained to support other mums who are or thinking of breast feeding. It's informal, free and toddlers are welcome.
If you would like any information or advice or even have concern that you would like to talk through, please do not hesitate to contact Joy on 01795 889233.
Breastfeeding drop in clinics for mums & babies
In addition to Breast Buddies which runs every Thursday, there is a highly qualified Lactation Consultant drop in at Seashells every Thursday.
Staff, Breastfeeding Peers and the consultant will be available to talk to any expecting mums who are thinking of breastfeeding and any post natal mums who have questions about breastfeeding, may be struggling or just want reassurance that things are going well.
Every Thursday
10.30am-12 noon
For further information, please phone Joy or Kim on 01795 889233
Bubba Club
Bubba Club is a baby and carer morning at Seashells, every Tuesday 10am-12noon. There is soft play for the babies. Staff are also on hand to provide advice or information if needed. It runs alongside the Health Visitors Child Health Clinic so mums can weigh their babies at the same time! Breastfeeding has benefits for both you and your little one.
At 11am there will be an additional activity either Baby Bouncy & Rhyme, Baby Massage, Baby Signing, Baby Yoga or You're baby's oral health.
It's all free! For more information phone Rachel on 01795 889233.
Daddy Cool
Dads don't get left out! Come and enjoy some quality time with your children!
Every Saturday morning
Seashells
9.30am - 11.30am
A group set up and run by Dads, for Dads and exclusively with Dads in mind.
There is a range of indoor and outdoor activities which Dads can do with their children of all ages, soft play for the babies and a free breakfast for all. For more information, phone Jamie on 07821 675355 or Matt on 07786 173610.
This group is supported by Sure Start Sheerness, Sheerness Neighbourhood Nursery and Seashells and funded by Kent Community Foundation and Community Champions.
Friends Group
Seashells has a group of parents known as 'Friends' who volunteer their time to help deliver newsletters by hand and share information about Seashells and its services to other families.
'Friends' are still needed to cover certain areas in Sheerness and if you have an interest in becoming a 'Friend' or would like more information, phone Gayle on 01795 889233.
Fun Time with pals
Fun Time Friday runs every Friday during term time.
Fun Time Friday is an art & craft group for parents/carers and their children.
The group is run for parents by parents; there are planned activities and healthy refreshments are provided.
For more information, phone Gayle on 01795 667070.
Magnifying Minds
For all children, the greatest growth and learning takes place in the years from birth to five. Early Learning is the key to your child's future; at this stage, children's families make the greatest difference....You are the most important person in your child's life.
Mums and Dads and any other family adults in young children's lives, are invited to come to a weekly workshop to explore and understand your child's development and how to support their early learning through fun, play, stories and songs.
Make your child's own special journal using photos taken in the creche or at home. For more information, phone Marian on 01795 889233.
Sing & Sign
Generally, babies who babble and gesture learn to communicate sooner, are less frustrated, develop bigger vocabularies and are more confident. Learn to communicate with your child through signs; singing and signing to songs and rhymes! This is a fun activity which runs during several groups for children and their parents. For more information phone Debbie on 01795 889233.
Want a qualification?
Whether it's just a chance to update your qualifications or get the qualifications you wish you'd done at School, Kent Adult Education Service are offering parents/carers the chance to gain a National Test in Literacy and/or Numeracy (equivalent to GCSEs).
For more information contact Gayle on 01795 889233.
Young Parents Group for under 21's
Come along to the Young Parents Group at Seashells. Meet new people over lunch and a chat, make things and get lots of advice on a wide range of subjects. There is a soft play area for the children and activities for parents to do with their children.
For more information, phone Kerry on 01795 889233.