For more information about any of the activities listed below, please email Rachel Bundock.
On Sundays at St James…
Crèche – Currently Closed due to COVID-19 Restrictions
Sundays 10.30 am
There is a parent supervised creche available for babies and young children at the back of St James’ church building which contains a great range of toys and books.
Godly Play (3 years of age and over) – Currently Closed due to COVID-19 Restrictions
Sundays 10.30 am
Godly Play is a Montessori-based approach to children’s spiritual development. Each session begins with one of the stories or parables from the Bible, or one of the liturgical actions of the Church. These stories are told using beautiful and natural materials. The story is followed by a time of guided ‘wondering’ leading to a free response time using arts and crafts. Children engage with the story and respond at their own level and this enables the group to span a large age range.
Godly Play meets weekly throughout term time (including most half-term holidays) except the 1st Sunday of the month, which is All Age worship .
On Sundays at Emmanuel…
After an initial time of worship together the children and young people leave to join one of our children and young people’s groups during most of the 10.30 Emmanuel services. These groups meet most weeks except for the 1st Sunday of the month, which is an all age service in church.
Crèche – Currently Closed due to COVID-19 Restrictions
Sundays 10.30 am
There is a parent supervised creche available for babies and toddlers, in the ‘Living Room’ near the front entrance to church.
Bubbles (Pre-school, ages 3 and 4 years)
Sundays 10.30 am
A group for the younger member of the church, suitable for children who are able to be left without a parent. Time for play in lots of space and a Bible story and related craft. Parents sign the children in before the start of the service and accompany them to the group. Parents are encouraged to return to the service and collect and sign out their children once the service has finished.
Godly Play 1 (Reception and Year 1)
Sundays 10.30 am
Godly Play is a Montessori-based approach to children’s spiritual development. Each session begins with one of the stories or parables from the Bible, or one of the liturgical actions of the Church. These stories are told using beautiful and natural materials. The story is followed by a time of guided ‘wondering’ leading to a free response time using arts and crafts.
Godly Play 2 (School Years 2, 3 and 4)
Sundays 10.30 am
As above but with more advanced stories.
During the week…
For up to date information about the re-opening of baby and toddler groups please sign up for the eNews. When we are able to re-open the groups this will be announced in the eNews. You can sign up for the eNews from almost every page on this website.
Toddler groups – Currently Closed due to COVID-19 Restrictions
Wednesday and Thursday (10 am-11.30 am), in the Lower Hall of the Parish Centre, behind Emmanuel Church
For babies and pre-school children. These are very popular groups and unfortunately there is currently a waiting list for both of them. Please note that due to the large amount of interest in joining our groups, we’ve decided to give priority for places to parents living in the Didsbury area who will be attending with their children, in order to help local parents as well as their children make friends. If you don’t meet these criteria we will happily add you to the list, but you may wait longer for a place.
Please contact Rachel Bundock if you’d like to be added to a waiting list, telling her which day/s you’re interested in.
Babies and Bumps – Currently Closed due to COVID-19 Restrictions
Mondays from 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm in the Lower Hall of the Parish Centre
This is a group for expectant parents and parents and carers with babies under 12 months.
More about Babies and Bumps
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
Safeguarding is central to everything we do and we follow the comprehensive guidelines and requirements laid out for us by the Diocese of Manchester. We also expect third party users of our facilities to adhere to comparable standards to ensure the well-being of everyone using our buildings.
