Madrid Mother and Baby Group
Recommended by Tessa Bayrante
Atenas Playgroup is an international (Spanish, Australian, Hungarian, Canadian, French) group of parents in the Arganzuela area of Madrid who meet every Monday in Parque de Atenas (in winter they organise an indoor place) from 17.30 - 18.30. In the hour that they are together they sing, play games and have storytime all in English. The activities are FREE they only ask that each parent volunteers to organise an activity or take charge of a song/story etc.
www.atenas-playgroup.org
Apple Tree Club, Majahonda
Recommended by Louisa Burford
The Apple Tree Club was founded by four English-speaking mums with many years of experience living and teaching English in Spain. As mums of little ones, they were concerned by the lack of flexible educational English activities on offer for children. They wanted a safe place where they could take children a few times a week to play and learn with others. They also wanted an English speaking environment where they could meet other mums, relax and share experiences.
Apple Tree Club, Avenida Mimbreras 3, Las Norias, 28221, Majadahonda
Telephone: 916 393 248
Email: info@appletreeclub.com
www.appletreeclub.com
Comments:
"Just wanted to share my favourite little spot for hanging out with other mums and toddlers - the Apple Tree Club in Majadahonda. I love the place. I discovered it not long after moving here 1.5 years ago, and I honestly feel that it made my transition into life in Madrid way easier than any of my previous moves to new cities/countries. My boys and I made friends quickly at the mums and toddlers group (Tuesdays 12.30-2pm) and my eldest son went to the playgroup in the mornings and loved it. The teachers are very friendly and caring and the whole philosophy of the place is kind of Montessori, learn through play and creativity, that sort of thing. I love that it is more flexible than typical Spanish guarderías - you can send your kids for just 2 or 3 mornings a week if you prefer" (LB, April 2011)
Playgroup for 0-4 year olds
Recommended by Tessa
Playgroup which meets in various locations in Madrid. For parents and kids from 0-4 years to play, sing along and share in storytime all in English.
Tuesdays: El Duende Travieso 30, Pº de las Acacias from 17.30 - 18.30
Wednesdays: Cuatropecas, Ronda de Segovia 13, 17.00 - 18.00.
Cost: 24euros a month or 50 euros with a 10 playgroup card.
For more information call Tessa on 649044588.
Shake Rattle & Roll with AmyJo
Recommended by Jackie Daly
Nursery rhymes, percussion, sing-a-long with the guitar and movement & dancing in every class. The sessions are led by a British qualified early years teacher and professional musician. Fun and energetic music and singing classes for the under 5's. Choose from Monday or Wednesday evenings or Friday morning class.
Tierra de Fuego, Travesia del Conde Duque, 3. (Nearest metros Noviciado & Plaze de España)
http://shakerattlerollmadrid.webs.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ShakeMadrid
Comments:
"My daughters are 3 and 1 and it's the highlight of the week for both of them. They absolutely love AmyJo, she's really good with all the little ones, drawing them in to the activities and dancing with them" (JD, Sep 2011)
Baby Gym at Centro Jugalia
Recommended by Lilian Levyi
The Centro Jugalia in Majadahonday holds may activities for children of all ages. For babies under three years old there is baby-gym and playgroups, for older children there are numerous workshops and "fiestas" and for mums-to-be there are yoga courses. You can also hold birthday parties there.
Travesia de Navaluenga 3, 28221 Majadahonda (+33) 911396530 info@centrojugalia.com www.centrojugalia.com
Comments
"Centro Jugalia has great activities for kids in Majadahonda (Madrid) and many of them are in English" (LL, May 2011)
En Un Lugar de Chamberi
Recommended by Diana Collings
Drop-off Centre/Ludoteca recently opened (August 09). There is a special space for parents where they can chat, have coffee or go on the internet!
Calle Gonzalo de Cordoba, 17, Madrid. www.enunlugarde.es
Comments:
"I love this place, it's warm, clean and opened in the mornings. There's a playhouse and an assortment of toys for the under 3's, and also a slide and bolas for the older kids.You have the option of leaving your child there, 10euro for the hour, if you so wish to do a spot of shopping in the local area" (DC)
Ludoteca Amazonia
Recommended by Sophie Gonzalez
Large indoor play centre for babies and children with 2 seperate play areas - one for the younger children aged up until four and the other area for children up until the age of 12. Ball pools, slides and castles all spread over a huge 600m2.
C./ Hierro, 9 -esquina C./ Bronce , 91 468 44 05
Comments
"We went to a birthday party here which was really organised and lets face it what child doesnt enjoy an indoor play centre. The kids had a great time. Although I have to say the birthday food was pretty poor!"
Sticky Fingers Playgroup
Recommended by Sophy King
An international group of mums, dads, grandparents, carers and kids, meeting twice a week and one Saturday a month in the centre of the city. All activities, arts and crafts, singing and story-time are in English. For kids 0-6 years
Parroquia San Vicente Ferrer C/ Ibiza 43 bis Tue and Thurs10.30-12.30pm Sat Club 11-1pm (see website for dates) Contact Anne mb: 675 192 658 http://playgroupmadrid.tripod.com
German playgroup
Recommended by Rowena Stevens
Parents interested in a German language speaking environment with activities for their babies and toddlers can meet up on Tuedays (babies) or on Thursdays (toddlers). They offer an activity program organized around a variety of topics (colors, parts of the body, seasons, animals, etc.) which includes songs, games, crafts, and other activities depending on the age group of the children involved.
Admission Free. Baby Group Tue 10.30 -12pm Toddler Group Thurs 5.00-6.30pm
German-speaking Lutheran Church in Madrid Pº Castellana, 6 Metro: Colón / Serrano
Contact Catja Burkhardt catja.burkhardt@gmail.com /mb 650 861 541 Tanja Nause tanja.nause@gmail.com/ mb 627 751 924
CityYoga
Recommended by Saskia Bostelmann
This is one of the bigger studios in the city, and offers everything from various types of yoga to pilates, as well as many types of massages and therapies. Schedules are very accommodating, as there are classes available all day during the week and Saturday mornings. Yoga class size can reach a maximum of 20 students
C/ Artistas, 43 Metro Cuatro Caminos 915534751 www.city-yoga.com
Comments:
"Great pregnancy yoga classes and also preparation for birth and postpartum. The classes are in Spanish, but I remember there were some people from different countries and they are very relaxed, nice, and helpful. The ones that give the pregnancy yoga classes are doulas. Also, they have baby & mum classes in early stimulation" (SB)
Note on Doulas:
Montse Cob lived several years in the US and speaks perfect English. She is a doula and runs all of the pregnancy yoga, preparation, etc classes at City Yoga. She works with a woman named Elena who also speaks very good English www.doulas.es/directorio/mad-2.html
St George’s Mother and Toddlers Group
Recommended by Sophy King
An English speaking playgroup that meets every Wednesday from 10.30am to 12.30pm. The St. Georges Playgroup has a long and rich history, having provided a supportive atmosphere for expatriate and English-speaking mums and tots in Madrid for more than 30 years now.
They are a voluntary, non-profit organization whose mission it is to offer a safe, stimulating, English-speaking environment for babies and toddlers in central Madrid, as well as a social network for English-speaking parents and carers. For kids 0-5 years.
St George's Church Hall, Nunez de Balboa 43, 28001
Contact: Contact Julie 659017727. Tanya 696 956 144
Friday Mums and Tots Singing
Recommended by Clare Garey
Singing and story-time with Jennifer Doran. Friday mornings 10.30-12.00. Price 5 Euros per child
St Georges Church C/ Núñez de Balboa 43, 28001 Madrid
Comments:
Well structured fun activity - starts at 10.30 for biscuits and juice, then singing, followed by a story and toys and instruments. Finishes by Midday. Age group is 1-3 years. All activities led in English.
Baby swimming - Brains College
Recommended by Imke Buttkus
Baby swimming classes
La Salvia 48, 28109 La Moraleja-Alcobendas (Madrid) Tel 91 650 71 00
Comments:
"Neela is attending baby swimming at Brains College, Alcobendas. It’s quite expensive compared with courses that are offered by the Communidad, but I heard that Brains has some of the best installations. A 3-months course costs a little more than 200 euros "(IB)
Learn and Play
Recommended by Silvia
It was the concept of a North Amercian mum looking for an alternative way to teach her kids English to create this fun learning environment for children aged 6mths-6yrs. All activities in English. Birthday parties catered for.
Calle Damaso Alonso 30 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid 91 285 4101 www.learnandplay.es
Comments:
"Learn and Play is a really fun and educational mommy and baby gym in Alcala. Mommy and Daddy come to class with their children to learn English, to play with other bilingual kids and have a great time. It is very colourful and the classes are very dynamic!" (Silvia)
Reflexology for babies
Recommended by Saskia Bostelmann
Geraldine Jourdain is a prestigious reflexologist and gestallt therapist from Belgium who lives in Madrid. The course is comprised of 5 two hour sessions in small groups.Reflexology on the newborn has been shown to help with conditions like colic, constipation, gases and sleep problems.
Comments:
"I took this course and found it to be really nice and helpful. she teaches you to give reflexology to your baby. The therapist (Geraldine Jourdain) is Belgian, therefore she speaks English and French" (SB)
