 
Quick Links: Activities Calendar | Courses
There is a preview of some activities below; for more information and to find out dates, please click 'Activities Calendar' button above. Our events are continuously reviewed to meet local and current needs of parents and their children. Keep a look out on the website or in our local newsletter for special or new activities which are introducted as our work develops. We are always very pleased to receive parents views, suggestions and feedback which helps us constantly review and improve our services. If you have something to share, please phone 01795 889233 or click here to use our Feedback form. We also offer a 'things 4 kids' directory of groups, activities and services for families with young children in Sheerness and around the Isle of Sheppey. Please click here to view.
ABC Multi Skill Club
The ABC (Agility, Balance & Co-ordination), multi-skill club is a physical movement skills session designed for a parent to attend with their child over 3 years. The sessions will run every Tuesday during term time:
2.30-3.30pm
Call in to one of the sessions and see want it is all about! Its all free!
This activity is being run in partnership between Sure Start Sheerness, Sheerness Children & Families Centre, Swale Borough Council, Sport Coach Uk and Amicus Group. For more information, phone Sharon on 01795 889233.
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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.
Every Tuesday during term time, 9-11am Sure Start Sheerness are offering help both in the water and changing room during the aquatot session, at Sheerness swimming pool. Volunteers will be there every week; the only thing you need is a membership card. This will be issued free, phone Claire on 889233.There are toys to play with in the water, a couple of aqua seats for young children and a healthy snack afterwards. Reduced price for families registered with Sure Start Sheerness of £1.15 per child and adults are free.
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Baby Bounce & Rhyme
Every Thursday, 10:30-11:30 Sheerness Library 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.
Click here to view KCC Libraries
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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.
Baby Massage courses run over 4 weeks. For more information or to book a place, phone Mandy on 07846 578327
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Baby PALS (Play & Learn Scheme)
Baby PALS is a parent and baby group for parents and babies up to eighteen months. Offering an interactive group in which parents can learn how best to meet their babies early developmental needs. There are activities and soft play for the children and light refreshments for everyone. For more information come along to 'Seashells' on Thursdays or contact Jennie, the PALS co-ordinator on 669074.
Click here to view NSPCC/PALS
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Baby Signing
Generally, babies who babble and gesture; learn to communicate sooner, are less frustrated, develop bigger vocabularies, and are more confident. 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.
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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 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. Come and have a cup of tea and a chat! It's informal, free and toddlers are welcome. For times, dates and venue please click here 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 889233.
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Breastfeeding drop in clinics
In addition to Breast Buddies which runs every Monday, there will be a highly qualified Lactation Consultant at Seashells every Thursday in two clinics. Sue Saunders or one of her colleagues 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 confirmation that things are going well. Every Thursday 11.30am-12.30pm 1 hour for Pregnant mums 1-3pm ‘Drop in’ for Mum & Baby. Dad’s welcome.For further information, please phone Joy on 889233
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Bubba Club
Bubba Club is a baby and carer morning at Seashells, every Tuesday 10am-12noon. There is soft play for the babies and adults can chat over refreshments. 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!At 11am there will be an additional activity, depending on the week of the month: Week 1 - Baby Bounce & Rhyme Week 2 - Baby Massage Week 3 - Baby Signing Week 4 - Looking after your baby's teeth Week 5 - Mystery activity It's all free!
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Busy Hands
Busy Hands is a free informal weekly Craft Group which runs during term time.
You can learn or improve knitting and crochet skills or anything else would you like to do!To find out more, phone Linda on 889233.
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Children & Parents Involvement Group
The Children & Families Involvement Group is held every month (except August) for parents/carers who want to be part of the Sheerness Children & Families Centre Advisory Board. The group is really informal. Parents/carers discuss matters regarding the centre and its service's and ways in which services or groups can be changed or improved. Parents/carers help make decisions on where to go on trips, the range of activities at large events and what happened at recent board meetings. There is a free creche and lunch for everyone. Gayle Epps, Volunteering and Learning Co-ordinator leads the group and can be contacted on 01795 889233.
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Daddy Cool
Dads don't get left out! Come and enjoy some quality time with your children! 9.30-11.30am
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, soft play for the babies and a free breakfast for all. For more information, phone Jamie on 07821 675355 or Matt on 07835 041368. This group is supported by Sure Start Sheerness, Sheerness Neighbourhood Nursery and Seashells and funded by Kent Community Foundation and Community Champions.
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Dad’s Support Resource
Steve Tomlin provides a top-up health visiting service as a support to dads with under 4s who would like to talk about their role as parents or partners.
If you would be interested in this please contact your own health visitor who will refer you so as they retain their own role with your family.
It can be for any dad with an under 4 but if dads are parenting alone or have a partner with postnatal depression then they may be interested in using the service also.For more information, phone 889233.
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Friends Group
Sure Start Sheerness has a group of parents known as 'Friends' who volunteer their time to help deliver newsletters by hand and share information about Sure Start and its services to other families in Sheerness. '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.
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Fun Time with Pals
Fun Time with Pals runs every Friday, 9.30-11am at Seashells during term time. It 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 667070
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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 momento books, musical instruments, puppets and lots more... FREE CAMERA AND FREE CRAFT BOX. For dates, times & venue click here. For more information, phone Marian on 889233.
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NCMA Childminders Drop In
Come along to a free drop in, held once a month. There will be lots of toys and activities for the children and you will have the chance to chat with other local registered childminders. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, phone Pip on 01622 358676 or email Pip.sands@ncma.org.uk
Click here to view NCMA
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Sing & Sign
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 889233.
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The One O'Clock Club
The One O'Clock Club is a parent & toddler group based at Weenie Westminsters on Thursdays during term time, 1-3pm. Mums & Dads can chat over a cup of tea and the children can have fun with the craft activities and soft play toys on offer. For more information, phone Linda on 889233.
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Things 4 Kids
This is a free directory of groups, activities, services and useful information for families with young children in Sheerness and around the Isle of Sheppey. If you would like a copy or would like to add a group or activity, please phone Gayle on 667070
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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 or to book a place, contact Gayle on 889233.
Click here to view Kent Adult Education
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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 activitiesfor parents to do with their children.
For more information, phone Kerry on 889233.
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