Whether you already live in Faversham or are thinking of moving here, you will soon discover that it is a wonderful place to bring up a young family. Virtually everything is within walking distance and, considering the size of the town, there is an extremely wide range of facilities and activities available for all age groups.
For details on Children's centres in Faversham
click here
The town benefits from a good number of nursery schools and playgroups and has a range of well-performing junior schools within reach. The two children’s centres are open on weekdays throughout the year and offer a schedule of activities for children and parents.
One of our residents is a mum who moved to Faversham in late 2007 with her husband, daughter, and pregnant with her son, and she has offered to write of her experiences of what Faversham has to offer young families. Read about her experiences here, and feel free to email
lucy@faversham.org with anything else that you have come across too!
A view from one family
When we moved to Faversham a couple of years ago, it was primarily to be closer to grandparents for extra support with the children. Little did we know how lucky were to have found a town so well designed for parents with young children.
Here are a few of the places in town we have found that are ideal for small children:
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Faversham swimming pools
In the centre of town you’ll find Faversham’s excellent swimming complex. Inside, there is a large indoor pool and, next to the Jacuzzi, a separate smaller pool, complete with dolphin slide, for younger children and babies. In summer, the outdoor pools are open all day and house a large swimming pool, a toddler pool with slides and a ‘river rapids’ area – all surrounded by grass perfect for sunbathing on. The facilities are well-maintained, clean and spacious. There are family changing rooms complete with baby changing facilities, and parents are welcome to bring their buggies pool-side. There is also a cafe and seating area inside.
Aqua baby classes operate on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:30am to 11:30am, and the pool also offers water confidence classes for toddlers, as well as group and individual swimming lessons.
Faversham Library, Newton Road
It is definitely worth making a visit to the library with your young children. They will receive their own library card (from birth!) and a reading log - every time they take out a book, they will get stickers to add to the log, and eventually this will lead to a reading certificate. The children’s area in the library is very spacious with a Thomas the Tank engine train full of books for smaller tots and a range of CDs and DVDs too.
On alternate Tuesday mornings, 10.30am to 10.50am, there is a Bounce and Rhyme session for babies.
Toddler time on Wednesdays, 2.00pm to 2.30pm for 2 to 5 year olds.
Soft play at the Jubilee Centre, Whitstable Road
If it’s raining, but you want to get out and about with your family, then the soft play centre makes a good excursion. It’s essentially a set of slides, ladders and bridges, set over roughly two stories, and is fun for both child and parent. On ground level, there is a huge ball pit, various ride-on vehicles (motorbikes, tractor etc), some play houses, and slides. It’s great fun and is guaranteed to tire out even the most persistent child! It’s also located right next to the cafe.
Don’t forget to pack your socks if you want to go on the apparatus!
We have been to a birthday party at the soft play centre which was great fun.
Tumblers at the Jubilee Centre
As well as the soft play zone, the Jubilee Centre also has an active gymnastics club and toddlers are welcome to attend the tumblers sessions. Once your toddler starts walking, they will love exploring the climbing frames, beams, ladders, trampolines and slides that are laid out in the activity room, all to a background of fun children’s music. The sessions help with balance and confidence, but above all are great fun. Babies can be brought in their seats to watch from the sidelines, or like me, you can try carrying them in a sling while following your toddler around the apparatus! At the end of the session, all the children are encouraged to take part in action songs, followed by a march around the room. At the very end, everyone gets a sticker, and those who have completed various tasks get awarded their badges and certificates. It’s really good fun and highly recommended.
Tumbler sessions are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (only Fridays in school holidays).
Children’s playgrounds
Faversham has a really large grassy park near to the Jubilee Centre which has a large playground at one end, including a section designed for younger children. Perfect for picnics under the trees.
There is also a smaller playground next to the swimming pool, which is shaded and often quite quiet.
Stonebridge Pond
If you’re out shopping and fancy a break, the duck pond houses an array of friendly birds always eager for some bread. It’s very picturesque and just a stone’s throw from the centre of town.
The West Street window
Towards the end of West Street, heading away from town, there is a small window that always has a colourful display inside, purely maintained as a hobby by the owner.
Information on Playgroups and Preschools
From the age of three your child is eligible for 15 hours of free pre-school per week. This can be taken in 2.5 hour sessions. (Find out more here: Below is a list of the playgroups and pre-schools in the Faversham and surrounding areas:
• Abbeyfields Day Nursery, 32 Whitstable Road, Faversham, ME13 8DL - 01795 591088
• Abbey School Day Nursery, London Road, Faversham, ME13 8RZ – 01795 531408
• Barbary Farm Nursery, Barbary Farm, Provender Lane, Norton, Faversham ME13 0SU
• Bees Knees Playgroup, Dunkirk Village School, London Road, Dunkirk – 07986 762120
• Berties Playgroup, Elthelbert Rd School, Faversham ME13 8SQ – 07817 755442
• Daisy Chain, Preston School Room, Preston Lane, Faversham, ME13 8LG - 07714 002119, 01227 366 547
• The Dawes Community, Association Pre-school, The Playing Fields, Hernhill, ME13 9JG – 01227 751195
• Little Moonbeams Day Nursery, Church Road, Upper Brents , Faversham , ME13 7DR - 01795 534432
• Magpie Playgroup, Boughton Methodist Primary School, School Lane, Boughton, ME13 9AW – 07745 865944
• Puddleducks Playgroup, White Hill Chapel, Painters Forstal, Faversham, ME13 0DU – 01795 890519
• Rainbow Pre-School, Bysingwood Children's Centre, Bysingwood Primary School, Lower Road, Faversham, ME13 7NU – 07784 354418
• Selling Pre-school, The Street, Selling, Nr Faversham, ME13 9RQ – 01227 752100
• Sheldwich Pre-school, The Mobile Building, Lees Court Road, Sheldwich, Faversham, ME13 0LU – 01795 534477
• St Mary’s Playgroup, St Mary of Charity C of E Junior School, Orchard Place, Faversham, ME13 8AP – 01795 536803
• Syndale Park Day Nursery, London Road, Ospringe – 01795 597625
• Stepping Stones Playgroup, The United Church, Solomon's Lane, Faversham – 01795 531464
• Teddies Pre-school, Ospringe School, Ospringe – 07974 261685
• Teynham Community Playgroup, Teynham CP School, Station Road, Teynham, ME9 9RX – 01795 522004
(all numbers correct at time of print)
Fun Activity Sessions for Babies and Toddlers
If you are new to Faversham, or new to parenting, then there are plenty of activities to take part in where you can meet new mums and try out new things. Remember to ring in advance just in case the sessions aren’t running that week.
Monday
• Bumps and Babies – 9.30am – 11.30am (excluding bank holidays) at the St Mary’s Children’s Centre, within St Mary C of E School. A group for all parents and carers with bumps, babies and toddlers for fun, friendship and refreshments, run by the NCT. Just turn up or call the Centre ON 01795 591101 for more information.
• YAPS - 11.30am - 1.30pm at St Mary's Children's Centre. A group for young parents aged 21 and under, and their children. An opportunity to attend a different session each week, and meet other young parents. For more information call 01795 591101.
• Davington Church Mother and Toddler Group supported by Faversham Children's Centres. Every Monday from 2pm - 4pm at the Cricket Pavilion, Alexander Drive. For more information contact Sue Wilby on 01795 538131.
• Musical Bumps - Music classes for newborns to pre-school children. Monday mornings, United Church, Preston Street, contact Nicky 07530 280942. Click here for more details.
Tuesday
• First Time Mums and Dads Group - 12pm to 2pm at St Mary's Children's Centre. Post Natal Support, please contact the Centre on 01795 591101.
• Aqua Babes – 10.30am to 11.30am – this is a great way for your new baby to discover water in a relaxed setting with help on hand, and plenty of toys, songs and games. Call the Faversham Pools on 01795 532426.
• Boughton Mother and Toddler Group – 9am to 10.45am at Boughton Village Hall – 01227 752985
• Bounce and Rhyme – every other Tuesday from 10.30am to 11am at the library on Newton Road. Sit in a big circle and sing songs with your babies and toddlers – and pick up some library books at the same time! Call 01795 532448 for more information.
• Bumbles Baby and Toddler music – 2pm to 2.45pm, Sebud House, Century Road, Faversham. Call 01795 536703 if you want to introduce your little one to a whole range of new instruments and songs.
• Butterflies Toddlers – 10am to 11:30am (term-time only). Lots of activities (jigsaws, games, books etc) for toddlers. Call 01795 537648 to find out availability.
• Parent, Toddler and Baby Group – 10.30am to 12noon at Newnham Village Hall. Call Laura Polden 01795 890759 for more information. The group runs on Tuesdays term time only. We welcome newcomers and have a toy library every week.
• Messy Hands – 9.45am to 11.45 at Bysing Wood Children's Centre. Call 01795 531555 for more information.
• Music Makers - for toddlers, Doddington 2pm - 2.45pm. Call Liz Bayford on 01795 886847
Wednesday
• The Breast Feeding Group - Every Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm at St Mary's Children's Centres. Come along and chat to a midwife about any breastfeeding topics. Just turn up!
• Storytime – 2:15pm to 2:35pm at Faversham Library, Newton Road. Sit on the big cushions and hear a new story, before exploring the books on offer with your toddler. Call 01795 532448 for more information.
• Bumbles baby and toddler music – 9.45am to 10.30am, Sebud House, Century Road, Faversham. Call 01795 536703 if you want to introduce your little one to a whole range of new instruments and songs.
• Tumblers – 10am to 11am at the Jubilee Centre, Whitstable Road. Spend time with your toddler climbing, sliding, balancing, jumping and swinging at this fun, hands-on session, and earn badges and certificates along the way. Call 01795 532132 for more information.
• Butterflies Toddlers – 10am to 11.30am (term-time only). Lots of activities (jigsaws, games, books etc) for toddlers. Call 01795 537648 to find out availability.
• Tot Zone – 10am to 11.30am and 1.30pm to 3pm at the Gospel Mission Hall, Tanner Street, Faversham. Call 01795 531181 for more information.
• Pop in & Play - Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, from 10am to 11.30am at St Mary's Children's Centre. A free play session for families with 0 - 5's to take advantage of the Centre's resources. Just turn up or call 01795 591101 for more information.
• Parent and Toddler Group - Every Wednesday from 9.45am to 11.45am at Bysing Wood Children's Centre for families with children aged 0- 5. Sessions vary and include craft activities, outdoor play, story time, and messy play. Maximum numbers apply so please arrive promptly to avoid disappointment, or contact 01795 531555 for more information.
• Rockabye Music - Music for 0 -3 year olds in a relaxed atmosphere, click here to find out more.
Thursday
• Baby Club (for younger parents) – 10am to 12noon in the Health Education Room at Faversham Health Centre. Run by the team of health visitors, call 01795 562041 for more information.
• Bumbles Playgroup – 2pm to 4pm at Sebud House, Century Road. This is a group for those with tiny babies only, so no toddlers please! New members are always welcome, call 01795 530763 for more information.
• Bysingwood Parents and Toddlers – 9.30am to 11.30am at Bysingwood School, Lower Road. Call 01795 534644 for more information.
• Faversham United Church Parent and Toddler Group - meet on a Thursday 1pm - 2.30pm, for more information email favunitedkerrie@gmail.com
• Come and Play Every Thursday from 9.30am to 12 at Bysing Wood Children's Centre. An opportunity for parents and children aged 0 -5 to play together using the Centre's resources. Just turn up or call 01795 531555 fo more information.
• " Any questions ?" sessions Every Thursday from 10am to 12noon at St Mary's Children's Centre, and from 2.15pm - 3.15pm at Bysing Wood Children's Centre. Pop in and speak to Ruth or Hannah ( Community Involvement Workers) with any queries you may have about being a parent with a child under 5, or for support and signposting information. Call 01795 531555/ 591101 for details or just turn up!
• Music Makers - for toddlers, Doddington 2pm - 2.45pm. Call Liz Bayford on 01795 886847
Friday
• Aqua Babes – 10.30am to 11.30am. This is a great way for your new baby to discover water in a relaxed setting with help on hand, and plenty of toys, songs and games. Call the Faversham Pools on 01795 532426.
• Tumblers – 9.30am to 10.30am and 11am to 12noon (10am to 11am in summer holidays) at the Jubilee Centre, Whitstable Road. Spend time with your toddler climbing, sliding, balancing, jumping and swinging at this fun, hands-on session, and earn badges and certificates along the way. Call 01795 532132 for more information.
• Pop in & Play - Every other Friday of the month, from 10am to 11.15am at St Mary's Children's Centre. A free play session for families with 0 - 5's to take advantage of the Centre's resources. Just turn up or call 01795 591101 for more information.
• Rhythm Rhyme and Story time - Every Friday from 11.15 to 12noon at St Mary's Children's Centre. A free "quiet time" for children to listen to stories and interact with puppets. Maximum numbers apply so please arrive promptly. For more information call 01795 591101.
Saturday
Saturdays for Dads in Faversham
• Dads and Children's Group facilitated by Family Action with support from Faversham Children's Centres. Every 2nd Saturday of the month from 10am to 12noon at St Mary's Children's Centre. A chance for dads and their children aged 0-5 to spend quality time together. For more information contact Family Action on 01795 539910.
• Soccertots Every 3rd Saturday from 10am to 11am at Bysing Wood Children's Centre ( for children walking up to age 5 ). Dads and children can join a coach from Charlton Atheletic to learn new skills, and for football based fun activities. Call 01795 531555 to book. Stay on afterwards from 11am to 12noon and use the Centre's facilities.
• Pop in & Play for Dads Every 3rd Saturday from 10am to 12noon at Bysing Wood Children's Centre. For dads and children aged 0-5 to enjoy the Centre's facilities and outside space. Just turn up or call 01795 531555 for more information.