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Welcome to Parenthood in St Albans!

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If you are new to St Albans, or a new or expectant parent, then here's our essential guide and top tips for living in St Albans with children...

Health & Education

  • If  you're pregnant or have a baby or young children then make sure you register with the Hertfordshire Family Centre Service. Follow them on Facebook too for regular updates. 
  • If you need to register with a GP surgery or dentist, you can find them listed in our Health & Wellbeing section. Pharmacies are also here.
  • Registering with a GP surgery ensures your children are registered with the health visitor, and will ensure you receive the relevant information when the time comes for your child to start school.
  • On the subject of school, it's worth knowing that there is no such thing as a designated 'catchment area' for any of the local state schools (primary or secondary) where you are guaranteed a space. The furthest distance allocated can vary greatly from year to year and from school to school.  When the time comes it's worth researching your options. Take a look at our Education & Childcare section for more information with details of all the local state and independent schools and links to other useful sites. It also simply explains the school system which will be helpful for those of you who haven't started on your schooling journey and find all the chat of schools quite overwhelming!
  • If you have children with additional needs have a look at our Support Groups & Services and Advice Centres sections to see what support is available locally.

Activities & Groups

  • St Albans has something for absolutely everyone. The selection of drop-in or bookable classes for 0-5s is vast and you can really choose something that suits your requirements. Have a browse of what’s available in our Activity clubs and classes section or search what’s on by day.
  • If you’re just getting started on your magnificent journey of parenthood then why not look at joining an antenatal class such as NCT or sign up for a hypnobirthing course. Check out our listings in the Antenatal & postnatal groups & classes section.
  • Many of the churches hold playgroups for 0-5s for just a pound or two and are always popular. If it’s something more for you than your little one then there are several parent & baby fitness classes you can take them to.

Around Town

  • There are lots of baby and buggy friendly cafes, pubs and restaurants in St Albans; The Beech House, Slug & Lettuce and The Peacock Emporium, to name just a few. They’re well equipped with baby change facilities and you'll be in good breastfeeding company!
  • Town gets busy on market days (Wednesdays and Saturday) and the walkway is narrow either side of the stalls. Take a deep breath and don’t rush, you’ll get through unscathed!
  • Don’t even bother trying to find on the road parking in town, head straight for one of the many car parks, you can see these here.
  • There are so many lovely parks around St Albans, Verulam Park and Clarence Park are particularly lovely and worth a visit.
  • The Alban Way is a disused railway line that has been tarmaced over. Loved by runners, dog walkers, cyclists, commuters and more, this lovely stretch is well worth exploring. Click here for a map and more information.

Things to do

  • St Albans is such a family friendly city. Find out if your street is planning to hold a Christmas Carol singalong or a street party next summer and go along to meet your neighbours. 
  • There are a number of sports centres and swimming pools in the area, particularly useful for a rainy day.
  • How about painting and hiding rocks? There are lots to be found around town and in the parks, make sure you add your own to be found!
  • Keep an eye on our What’s On page and our Facebook for upcoming events.

Local Facebook groups to join

You can find a lot more information on the website so have a browse and find out what’s out there!

 


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