Welcome to Activity City baby and toddler classes

Montessori Inspired Baby and Toddler Classes in Hockley, Essex

Hello, I am Lucy. Welcome to my Montessori classes, where your child’s growth and happiness is at the heart of everything. I’m dedicated to providing personalised attention, ensuring every child feels valued and supported in our high adult-to-child ratio environment.

In my thoughtfully prepared space, your child’s individuality shines. I focus on nurturing their self-confidence and belief in their abilities. Each activity is tailored to their interests, and we go on monthly outings to further enrich those passions. Additionally, resources are provided weekly for at-home exploration, fostering collaborative learning between us.

My aim is to make each class a place your child eagerly anticipates, where they feel comfortable separating from you with ease. If children take a little longer to separate and you’d like longer to settle your child- that’s fine by me. It is all about what works best for you and your family.

Creating a calm and focused atmosphere is paramount, allowing genuine learning to flourish. As the parent or carer, your insights are invaluable. I’m here to collaborate with you, offering effective parenting skills and insights into childhood behaviours, should you desire. Together we can create an enriching and nurturing environment where your child can thrive and grow.

Offering

Are you looking for a unique and enriching child led class for your little one? Welcome to Activity City – the ultimate destination for Montessori-inspired toddler education in Essex. My premium classes are specially designed to celebrate your child’s individuality and nurture their interests and developmental needs. The classes are run without Parents for three children at a time in a beautifully prepared environment in Ashingdon.

Looking for something different?

Do you want to move away from the oversubscribed, loud, busy environments? Spaces where adult to child ratios are on the up? Do you want to receive daily updates of your child, so that you feel confident your child is happy, thriving and loved too. You’ll receive the surprise of photos and observations to your phone during every session, giving you the time to truly focus on your morning without any doubt of your child’s wellbeing.

Here’s what you can expect from our sessions:

Small classes

My small classes, ensure each child is celebrated and their emotional and educational needs are met. Following the Montessori method, I observe the children’s play, identify their interests, and prepare resources to extend their curiosity. I introduce new experiences to enhance their learning journey, giving every child the attention, they deserve.

Why Montessori inspired education?

After 18 years of working with the Montessori method, I’ve witnessed its enchanting effects first hand. Montessori Inspired Education offers a distinctive and individualised approach to learning, prioritising the child’s role in their educational journey. Here, each child’s unique abilities are celebrated and valued, fostering an environment of utmost respect. Our home sessions span four hours, led by the child themselves. With both indoor and outdoor access, they enjoy abundant opportunities for purposeful play.

The prepared environment

The learning environment is meticulously crafted to address each child’s developmental requirements. Our resources are hands-on, promoting practical skills applicable in real-life scenarios. This customised approach empowers children to reach their full potential. The environment encourages independence, with children tending to tasks like watering vegetables and preparing healthy meals, fostering a beautiful sense of autonomy. Children thrive when they’re encouraged to follow their own passions and ideas. In our Montessori-inspired environment, we provide a range of traditional and innovative resources that ignite children’s natural curiosity and love for learning. From real tools like glass jugs to classic Montessori materials like the pink tower and sandpaper numerals, each item is carefully selected to promote holistic, tactile learning. Our activities are designed to foster problem-solving and critical thinking skills, many of which are customised for each child and handmade by me. Additionally, you can borrow resources to continue learning at home, so that we can work closely together to inspire and support your child’s passions.

Service overview: (9.00-1.00pm) Tuesday and Wednesday

Personalised attention with small class sizes, limited to only 3 children.
Access to a diverse selection of Montessori handmade and traditional toys.
Opportunities for hands-on learning, including preparing freshly grown snacks and making light lunches.
Engaging Montessori presentations tailored to your child’s interests and developmental stage.
Comprehensive program designed to support your child’s developmental needs.
Exclusive access to our family app for streamlined communication and updates.
Close collaboration with you to holistically support your child’s development.
Individualised resources available for borrowing to reinforce learning at home.
Access to an individual WhatsApp for direct communication and updates

Join Us Today

It’s the ideal environment for your little one to learn, grow, and explore. Contact us today and give your child the gift of empowerment and independence. Reach out to us through one of the contact methods below.

Who runs the class? 🙋‍♀️

Lucy, a passionate and calm post graduate with 14 years experience working in a Montessori pre prep.
EYPS (A early years professional) level 6
Paediatric first aid trained
Montessori course level 3
DBS certified.
💖 Safeguarding level 3
🍽️ Food Safety & Hygiene level 3
🖥️ Ofsted Registered (2760767)

When & Where?

Time

9.00-12:00 Tuesday & Wednesday

Locations

Ashingdon, Essex

I love hearing from my wonderful customers! 🤩

     Excellent  
     Based on 23 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   James Cheesewright 
 2023-07-06
 
 
  I have loved attending Activity City with my daughter. My wife often came home full of excitement to tell me what our daughter had got up to and whenever I got the opportunity to come along, I was always made to feel very welcome.

As a dad, some classes I've attended have left me a bit on the outside but the welcoming and calm environment at activity city was completely different to any other baby/toddler group I'd been to. There is such a loving environment where spending quality time together, learning through play, is at the focus. All the little ones have so much fun whilst also gaining skills (and me too!) Lucy is phenomenal and cares so much about the early years, she brings so much energy and love to each session - every little one is seen and heard. I'm so glad my daughter and family have experienced activity city groups and would recommend Lucy and her groups to all the family! Dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents...
all welcome here!
  
 
       
   Mikey 
 2023-06-12
 
 
  Joining Lucy's classes has been an incredible experience. As a Dad I felt a little out of my depth and lacking in knowledge about what's best for my sons development. Lucy has been like a parenting consultant who has  talked me through all of my sons habits and stages so that I can understand them. Not only that but she's given me individual advice that is unique to my son.
She has built a compassionate relationship with my son and he always seems like he can be himself and flourish around her. It's a highlight of his week spending time with Lucy and his development has sky rocketed since attending Activity city. He has gained confidence and his problem solving skills are incredible.
I am very grateful to have Lucy available to me and my son and I feel very lucky. It has benefitted us both to no end and we will continue to take part in anything Activity City has to offer.
  
 
       
   Layla Laurie 
 2023-05-29
 
 
  I highly recommend this class. Lucy creates such a relaxed and calm environment for the children to explore.

The whole session is child-led and they can explore the Montessori inspired activities at their own pace, while learning new skills and observing the older children as they do so.

Lucy is very knowledgeable in child development but at the same time she is completely non judgemental and very patient, taking time to get to know each member of the class.

It is a lovely opportunity to spend some quality time playing with my daughter alongside other likeminded people and picking up useful tips for at home.
  
 
       
   Donna Cotgrove 
 2023-05-19
 
 
  Myself and my toddler love attending this class. It is a calm and relaxed atmosphere in which my child really thrives within.

He is able to be himself and roam freely and play with whom and what he wishes, with no judgement, which makes it an enjoyable experience for me also.

Lucy is very knowledgeable and takes the time out to engage with each and every parent/child individually, helping them with play that best suits their child’s needs.

Lucy has been very helpful with any general parenting questions and advise that I have seeked.

There is a great selection of different apparatus available each week.

Lucy’s classes have inspired me to continue some of the activities my little one really enjoys at home too, which is great for his development.
  
 
       
   Emily Santry 
 2023-04-17
 
 
  I'm so grateful to Lucy and her beautiful class each week. Ada and I have been joining the Monday group for the past few months and the difference that I have noticed in Ada's confidence at the session is lovely to observe. Lucy is always so kind and warm with the children and knowledgeable and empathetic to the parents. There is never any judgment, but educated suggestions about how to navigate Montessori style activities as well as building skills to empower your child and support them. We love recreating some of the activities at home and seeing what new ideas Lucy has in store for the following week's topic.
  
 
       
   Abbie Shute 
 2023-04-12
 
 
  My daughter and I love this class. I have always been interested in the montessori approach but never felt confident enough to know what to do in my own home so I started to take my little one to this class and she loves it. She thrives in the calm peaceful environment and has become so confident going there.

Lucy is so patient and spends lots of time with each family to help and support but also provides space if that’s what the child needs.

I have started to change my home environment to be more montessori and already feel so much better for doing it.

We both really look forward to our Mondays at activity city. Thank you.
  
 
       
   Susan C 
 2023-03-16
 
 
  My daughter & I began attending this group in Sept 2022. My daughter had just turned one and I was beginning to find that she was becoming anxious and unsettled in larger baby/toddler groups.
I started trying some new groups and was delighted to discover 'Activity City'.  I noticed the change in my daughters behaviour from the first class, she was calm, settled and interested. The environment is lovely, everything is purposeful and based on a child led approach, observing and following their interests. The group is friendly, calm and led by Lucy who is simply AMAZING. Her effort, attention to detail and passion for what she does, shines through. She is super knowledgeable and always willing to offer advice on methods to help with any challenges or to provide information about the general Montessori approach (followed up with helpful notes after!). I love the practical innovative play ideas allowing the children to explore often everyday 'adult' activities. I have watched my daughter grow in confidence and build skills since coming to play but  I've also learnt from the sessions to assist us to try out new things at home. Couldn't recommend Lucy and Activity City, highly enough! Xx
  
 
       
   Kirsty Markham 
 2022-10-17
 
 
  I come along to the Activity City sessions with my 2 daughters who are 2 1/2 and 9 months. They both love playing with all of the resources together and separately and Lucy accommodates their interests amazingly well.

It's a lovely environment and the girls get so much out of it. The activities change each week and have lovely themes! We especially loved the resources last week for being independent at home and preparing your own snack.

I also love the end of the class where Lucy explains the Montessori method in further detail. She also follows up by sending this in an email which is a lovely thoughtful touch.

We would high recommend activity City!

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