Little Explorers - time for you, your child, and God
Little Explorers is part of the Northstowe Church Network, gathering parents and carers with their little ones for a midweek encounter with God and others in a similar phase of life.During School Term, we meet at 915am for breakfast, before starting our Circle Time by 9.45...
During the School Summer Holidays, we are joining with the rest of the Northstowe Church Network to share in breakfast at 10am on Sunday Mornings
Contact
Find out more by talking to those involved, or to Revd Beth.
There is a friendly WhatsApp group where we share updates, as well as informal chat about all aspects of life with small children.
Our Thursday Morning Term Time Location
The Wrap Around Care room
The Pathfinder CofE Primary School
Pathfinder Way
Northstowe
CB24 1AA
(parking just offsite around the roundabout at the end of Pathfinder Way)
The Wrap Around Care room
The Pathfinder CofE Primary School
Pathfinder Way
Northstowe
CB24 1AA
(parking just offsite around the roundabout at the end of Pathfinder Way)
Thursday Morning Timings
9.15am
- As you arrive, make yourself at home, and start to explore the free-flow activities - we'll often use these during the storytelling later!
- When you are ready, help yourself (and your little one) to (second?) breakfast sitting in the breakfast area.
- Circle Time, featuring a mix of favourite nursery rhymes and songs that match the season. Our seasonal invitation to worship helps draw together the generations as we prepare to meet not just with each other, but with God. Then we share in an interactive story... and often some more singing
- Time to explore, with quieter and more active areas, designed to help children and their carers play and reflect together... and with each other. Feel free to sit and chat with a new friend, ask one of the helpers to play with your little one while you have a few minutes peace, or explore the room at the pace your Little Explorer sets
- Celebration. drawing together all we've done through more songs, conversation, and an interactive means of praying.
- Final Blessing, after which most people head off, while some people might choose to stay and help packdown, and join the Team praying.
Thursday Morning Little Explorers
9.15am - 10.45am, Pathfinder Primary during TERM
We started with a small group of tiny babies, using the excellent Starting Rite resources. Now those tiny babies are proper Little Explorers, and into everything. So our group have evolved and changed to continue to support them and their families, as well as welcoming in new-borns.
Anyone caring for a pre-school child or baby is most welcome to come along, whether you have any previous experience of Christianity or not. We love to explore stories from the Bible - many of which have helped shape British culture well beyond the Church. We love Big Questions. We love honest conversation. And we really understand what it's like to be so tired that all you want is a hot cuppa while a friendly face holds your little one!
One of the special things that we've seen develop as we've enlarged the age range is how much the parent-parent support means. Whether that's top tips for weaning, or just an understanding look as you share what's on your heart.
Our Team are a mixture of Ministers and parents (with children from 0 to 18!), all DBS checked appropriately for the role. Read more about Safeguarding here....
Supporting your mental health
On 4th July, we’ll be joined by Ellie, a local Peer Support Worker for the Perinatal Mental Health Team based in Cambridge The service was set up 6years ago as it was recognised by the NHS the importance of supporting maternal mental health challenges. They support women from conception up to baby’s first birthday (this will be extended to 24 months soon.) It is not at all unusual for carers to feel an overwhelming sense of isolation, especially when it seems like all around them others are enjoying pregnancy and motherhood. So we look forward to being part of a conversation, helping raise awareness of the service as well as the wonderful community at Little Explorers. Feel free to invite along friends who might be interested too!
Summer Holiday Sunday Breakfasts with the whole Northstowe Church Network
(Little Explorers, Pathfinder Church, The Compline Community, and friends, family, and neighbours)
21st July - 18th August, 10-11.30am in The Pathfinder CofE Primary School
[No afternoon gatherings! And no Northstowe Gathering on 25th August - we'll be at Greenbelt]
During the school summer holidays, the various worshipping communities in the Northstowe Church Network all take a break from their regular gatherings, and instead come together to eat breakfast, get to know each other better, and share something of themselves:
- 10am: We invite you to join us for breakfast (pastries, coffee, juice, and perhaps even bacon!)
- Over breakfast , we'll start to explore the story of the day... and find ways to offer worship.
- Each week will be different: Sometimes, we might head into the school garden to weed and tend the plants in the Conversation Area, some weeks we might go for a walk, other times hide from the rain inside.
- We'll pack up when we're done - 11.30am at the latest.
Afternoon Teas
(half termly, Sundays, 3.30-5pm in the School Hall)
Every half term, we love to bring together the WHOLE community - Little Explorers, those from Pathfinder Church, and others too. We invite people from all religious and non religious background to simply spend time together. Often, we'll serve a seasonal treat - pancakes, hot cross buns - or scones and cakes.For many, this is simply a time to "hang out" and be. The tables have board games and colouring. The baby and toddler area is set up. And news is shared on the rolling screen.
Around the room, there will also be various activity and reflection stations. Some of these might be Prayer Stations or Exploration Stations from the recent Sunday Gathering or Little Explorers series, or linked to an upcoming festival. Others will simply be for fun.
We set up a "side chapel" as a quiet place where anyone can pause and reflect. Sometimes, we offer a simple poetic spoken communion service as an option, while other activities continue.
Sometimes, our Afternoon Teas play host to special workshops. Recently, we welcome Northstowe Arts to help us create a lantern for the Light Up Northstowe Lantern Parade, Elaine Atkin has taught us poetry and short story skills and Michelle patiently taught us how to make bead angels. But, for the end and start of term session, the focus will be on relaxing and simply being together as a community.
Medical and Emergency Contact Details
If you are coming along to Little Explorers, please complete one copy of our online Registration Form for each child. This is so we can plan sessions that will keep you and your child safe, and know who to contact should an unexpected medical incident occur. Data is handled in accordance with our Data Privacy Policy.How we cover costs
The main costs are for food, room hire, and resources - and most of that is met through the donations of those who come each week, with the ministers' time and other costs gifted from the Northstowe Church Network, as well as volunteer time from others in the team. THANK YOU to everyone who makes this possible!!We suggest a donation of £3 per family per week, which you can either pop in the Piggie Bank, or give online. However, if the cost is barrier, please don't worry: we'd much rather you came - your presence means so much, and each person brings something special just through being with us!
Many people choose to donate for a whole half term at once. Some people give more generally to support the wider work of the church too (read more about why churches need such giving here)
We can also collect gift aid if you are a tax payer.
What people are saying about Little Explorers...
- "Lovely, well thought out activites... generally just brilliant!"
- "Loved the books and sensory art"
- "I love the Jammies" [from a toddler]
- "For me - I love connecting with grown ups. For [Little One] - exploring freely. Thank you, we love it!"
- "I love the range of activites"
- "Such a lovely baby group. I love the friendly and welcoming atmosphere"
Something we're pondering...
Parenting for Faith online course
In 2023, a group from Little Explorers, together with some "graduates" and family members who can't normally make Thursday mornings, tried out the Parenting for Faith Babies and Toddler Zoom Course. And we loved it!
But we all know parenting goes on well beyond the toddler years!
So now we're exploring running a Northstowe-special Parenting For Faith course, not just for those with Babies, but through primary and secondary ages too.
Our hope is that this group will help connect those with children across these different age ranges, as well as those with different working patterns.
The Parenting for Faith video-based course is designed to give you confidence to share your life with God in a way that feels natural to you – and the tools to do it easily in everyday life. By watching the videos and talking about them together, we expect to learn from each other, support each other, and have fun along the way.
But we all know parenting goes on well beyond the toddler years!
So now we're exploring running a Northstowe-special Parenting For Faith course, not just for those with Babies, but through primary and secondary ages too.
Our hope is that this group will help connect those with children across these different age ranges, as well as those with different working patterns.
The Parenting for Faith video-based course is designed to give you confidence to share your life with God in a way that feels natural to you – and the tools to do it easily in everyday life. By watching the videos and talking about them together, we expect to learn from each other, support each other, and have fun along the way.
We are considering finding an evening (perhaps 8-9pm) on Zoom, and running for 8 weeks with a (possible two-week) break over half term. But, let us know what might work!
Cost: No charge to attend, but donations welcome
Cost: No charge to attend, but donations welcome
Email contact@northstowe.church to express interest, and let us know if that time-slot might work for you.
Sign up to the eNews
Most weeks we send a general eNews, with news from across the Northstowe Church Network.
As we grow, we're hoping to start to tailor these updates, so that you get the news that really matters to you.
So, for example, if you are primarily part of the Little Explorers community, you might also/only want to get focused Little Explorers updates - please check the relevant boxes
Equally, if you are following our eNews as a prayer-supporter or friend from a partnership organization, let us know, and we'll send you occasional messages with our Big News.
Little Explorers, part of the Northstowe Church Network, is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Safeguarding Officer. The Diocese of Ely’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our SO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.
