Services for your Children
Our practice is open every day except Sunday for booked appointments. If you need to see the doctor for urgent issues relating to your child, please phone the practice as early in the day as possible and we will always see you.
Every Thursday, we have a Baby Clinic. This is for walk-in appointments, although you can book in advance to see the nurse for your child’s immunisations.
The following members of our team run the Baby Clinic:
- Practice Nurse (for your child’s immunisations)
- Doctor (for general health concerns)
- Health Visitor (for helpful advice - see below)
At our practice we have a Health Visitor, Margaret O’Neill. Margaret is a specialist nurse who looks after children under 5 years old. She visits families after new births and performs regular developmental checks. Margaret also gives very helpful advice on children’s health and wellbeing.
This web page contains information on services in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea for your children. You may also download this page in booklet format.
Mental Health Services for Children
MIND - 0300 123 3393
Mind can direct you to the mental health services closest to you, and help you with any enquiries or concerns you have about your child’s mental health issues.
Rethink Project - www.rethink.org
Rethink is for children and young people with mental health issues, and it is run by the young people who have experienced some issues (with support from professionals). Rethink run support groups for those with mental illness, and support groups for carers and family members (e.g. siblings).
Services for children with disabilities
Borough teams for children with disabilities:
Westminster: 020 7266 7112 (direct line)
Kensington & Chelsea: 020 7361 3302
Caxton Youth Organisation (see ‘where your children can play’ for more information)
www.caxtonyouth.org, caxtonyouthorg@btconnect.com, 020 7834 1883
Full of Life
www.fulloflife.com/services - 020 8969 9993
This support group in Kensington & Chelsea is for children and young adults with disabilities, and their families and carers. Full of Life also runs a centre for young adults with complex educational needs.
Education
There are a range of schools in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea, including nursery schools, primary schools, secondary schools and special schools. All children aged 5-16 are entitled to a free place at a state school.
Special schools work with children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). They can specialise in communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health, and sensory and physical needs. Schools can further specialise within these categories (e.g. speech, language and communication).
You can find detailled information about these schools and how to apply from the departments listed below, or by asking at your local school. You can view inspection reports for all schools at www.ofsted.gov.uk.
Nurseries
Westminster: 020 7641 7929, fis@westminster.gov.uk
www.westminster.gov.uk/family-information-service
Kensington & Chelsea: 020 7361 3302, fis@rbkc.gov.uk
www.rbkc.gov.uk/educationandlearning/familyinformationservice
Schools
Westminster: 020 7641 6000
www.westminster.gov.uk/schools
Kensington & Chelsea: 020 7745 6432, school.admissions@rbkc.gov.uk
www.rbkc.gov.uk/schools
Libraries
Libraries are a good place to get general information about the services available in your area. It is also a brilliant place to introduce your child to story-telling and books. Please check with your local library to find out what activities they have on offer for your children.
Pimlico Library
Lupus Street (SW1V 3EY), 020 7641 6200, www.westminster.gov.uk/pimlico-library
This library offers free computer and internet access, lends a large number of books, runs health events, has photocopying, scanning and printing services, runs a reading group and maintains a study area. For children and young people, the library runs activities during holiday periods, has a homework club, holds sessions for children aged under 5, and maintains a study area for children. The building has disabled access. A cafe is situated on the ground floor.
Victoria Library
160 Buckingham Palace Road (SW1W 9UD), 020 7641 6200, www.westminster.gov.uk/victoria-library
This library offers free computer and internet access, runs health events, has photocopying, scanning and printing facilities, runs a reading group, and maintains a study area. It also holds the Westminster Music Library. For children and young people, the library has a homework club and runs sessions for children aged under 5. The library is partially accessible for wheelchairs (first floor only accessible by stairs).
Chelsea Library
Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road (SW3 5EZ), 020 7361 3010
This library offers free computer and internet access, including computers for children. There is a Young People’s Zone for young adults. For children aged under 5, the library has an area with a wide range of books for babies and toddlers. There are regular events for children of all ages. The library has a lift.
Where your children can play
It is very important for children to develop social skills, and to learn how to interact with each other and develop friendships. Please contact these centres directly to find out the kinds of age appropriate activities they have on offer for your child.
Young Children
Churchill Gardens Children’s Centre - FREE
Johnson’s Place (SW1V 3EU), 020 7641 5923
A range of activities as well as health, job centre and benefits advice. The building has disabled changing facilities and access.
Ages 0-5, plus older siblings
Marsham Street Children’s Centre - FREE
121 Marsham Street (SW1P), 020 7828 4083
A range of play activities. The building has disabled changing facilities and access.
Ages 0-5
Violet Melchett Children’s Centre - FREE
30 Flood Street (SW3 5RR), 020 7938 8621
Services include day nursery provision, coffee morning support groups, and play activities.
Ages 0-5
Wiltshire Close Adventure Playground - FREE
Rosemoor Street (SW3), play@rbkc.gov.uk/play
Adventure playground (climbing, games, arts). The site has disabled changing facilities and access.
Ages 4-13
Sussex Street Play Project - £24/day (and concessions)
3-13 Sussex Street (SW1V 4RZ), 020 7641 1107
Ofsted-regulated childcare with an emphasis on play. Staff are qualified play workers. The site has disabled changing facilities and access.
Ages 4-12
St Andrew’s Youth Club (Junior Club) - rates vary
Alec Wizard Hse, 12 Old Pye Street (SW1)
020 7222 6481, info@standrewsclub.com
www.standrewsclub.com
Ages 5-9
Older Children
Churchill Gardens Project - In my back yard
07775027594, hriedel@cwh.org
Drama, art, cookery, and life skills to increase confidence and communication skills
Ages 8-13
St Andrew’s Youth Club (Senior Club)
Alec Wizard Hse, 12 Old Pye Street (SW1 2DG)
020 7222 6481, www.standrewsclub.com
info@standrewsclub.com
Ages 9-19
Churchill Gardens Youth Club
Churchill Gardens Estate (SW1W 8RU)
020 7630 1551, kkelly@cwh.org.uk
Arts and crafts, table tennis, educational workshops, cooking, internet and games
Ages 11-18
Ebury Bridge Youth Club - 20p/session
Edgson house, Ebury Bridge Road (SW1W 8RU)
07736 899 652
Sports, IT, cooking, music recordings, arts and crafts, games and regular holiday programmes
Ages 11-18
Lillington Gardens Youth Club
Morgan House (SW1 2LF)
kkelly@cwh.org.uk
Gym, circuit training, internet access
Ages 14-25
Scouts (for boys and girls) - www.scouts.org.uk
Activities based around working together as a team, making friends, learning together, working to achieve various badges depending on interest, playing, having fun to investigating nature.
Ages 5-11
Children with Disabilities
Caxton Youth Organisation
Basement Clubrooms, Tintern House, Abbots Manor Estate, Pimlico (SW1V 4JF)
Informal and educational activities for young people with disabilities and their friends. Activities include music and ICT for 11-18 year olds, arts and ICT for 11-25 year olds, and independent living skills (employability and money management) for over 18s.
Ages 11-25
Play Makers - FREE
Various locations, 020 7641 1107
Outdoor activities (team sports, arts and crafts, and adventurous play), and specialist activities for children with disabilities. Disabled changing facilities and access is dependant on location.
Ages 8-12
Family Events and Days out
Westminster: 020 7641 7929, fis@westminster.gov.uk
www.westminster.gov.uk/family-information-service
Kensington & Chelsea: 020 7361 3302, fis@rbkc.gov.uk
www.rbkc.gov.uk/educationandlearning/familyinformationservice
Sport and leisure activities
Sports Centres
Sports centres provide a range of activities and sports for young children and young people to enjoy. These include swimming lessons, team sports, exercise classes, and holiday activities. Please call to find out what is on offer. Buildings will have disabled access and wheelchair facilities.
Queen Mother’s Sports Centre
223 Vauxhall Bridge Road (SW1V 1EL)
020 7630 5522
sport@westminster.gov.uk
www.better.org.uk/leisure
Chelsea Sports Centre
Chelsea Manor Street (SW3 5PL)
020 7352 6985
sports-development@rbkc.gov.uk
www.rbkc.gov.uk/sport
Other Activities
Westminster Boating Base - £10 per year
136 Grosvenor Road (SW1V 3JY), 020 7821 7389, www.westminsterboatingbase.co.uk
Dinghy sailing, power boating, kayaking and canoeing for young people. Open 1 Apr-31 Oct.
Ages 10-23
Kayak London - first session free, then £10-20 per year
Cremorne Riverside, Lots Rd (SW10 0QH), 020 7739 9591, www.epiccic.org.uk/kayaking-london
Kayaking and canoeing on the Thames, including kick scooter, survival skills and environmental studies
Ages 9-19
General Information
Westminster: 020 7641 2012, sport@westminster.gov.uk, www.westminster.gov.uk/sport
Kensington & Chelsea: 020 7938 8179, sports-development@rbkc.gov.uk, www.rbkc.gov.uk/sport