The Village - Family and parenting services directory
Welcome to our Family & Parenting Services Directory, a special space in The Village dedicated to businesses that cater to the unique needs of families and parents
We are immensely proud of the diverse and talented entrepreneurs who call our community home. Whether you're pregnant, a new parent seeking expert guidance, or a growing family looking for services, you'll find a diverse range of services here.
From doulas and childcare experts to family photographers and parenting coaches, this directory is your go-to resource for all things family-related. Explore, connect, and discover services designed to support parents and enrich family life within The Village.
Dive in, explore, and connect with these remarkable individuals. Together, we build a strong, vibrant community where success knows no bounds.
pregnancy & birthing businesses
These businesses are here to help and support you through your pregnancy journeyā¦ So many of our Village members are mums and totally get what its like to be pregnant and juggling work and family life. These Essex business owners are here to help, support and nurture you during this time and to help you have the birth you truly deserve.
Bun In The Oven Birthing
Hello! My name is Linda, I help women / birthing people and their partners prepare for a positive birth through my Hypnobirthing classes. My courses help you:
- Create calm, relaxed confidence around your birth
- Feel in control of your labour and learn how to work with your body (this is the game changer!)
- Understand how to navigate the NHS system and get the right birth for you
- Empower your birth partner to give amazing support
This is your birth and you lead the way. You can do this!
There is a free class available to download on my website if you want to find out more.
I have been teaching Hypnobirthing since 2013 and have prepared hundreds and hundreds of people for their births as well as having had three positive births of my own. Oh, and I am not called Bun in the Oven for nothing ... there is always freshly baked cake at my classes!
Just The Spot Reflexology
My name is Debbie Fawcett MAR. I am a fully qualified Reflexologist based in Chelmsford and I offer General Wellbeing reflexology treatments to all ages.
I offer reflexology to a wide variety of people with many medical conditions and many people who suffer from stress. I find that regular reflexology is an extremely effective tool to help alleviate some of the symptoms by relaxing oneself and improving general wellbeing.
Although I work with a broad spectrum of clients with many different conditions, I have special interests in Fertility and Antenatal Reflexology in Essex, assisting with the journey from conception through to birth.
I am able to treat clients at either their place of work or home as I work as a Mobile Reflexologist in the Chelmsford area and various other parts of Essex.
Aqua4baby
Aqua4baby is aquanatal classes that have been running in Chelmsford for 15 years. These ladies only classes are designed around the pregnant body, bring together gentle exercises, breathing, relaxation and getting to know mums to be who are on their pregnancy journey for benefits see website.
Yoga With Vikki
Vikki is an experienced yoga teacher and yoga therapist, offering classes and private sessions around Essex as well as retreats worldwide. Yoga therapy is offered on an individual basis and sessions are tailored to an individuals personal health needs. She has experience working with a wide range of health conditions including stress, burnout, anxiety, insomnia, cancer, heart or respiratory conditions and symptoms associated with the menopause.
The Birth Doula
I am a birth and postnatal doula, offering all aspects of doula support to women, birthing people and families in the Essex area.
My services range from antenatal preparation; birth rights and choices, birth plan/preference creation and information sharing.
To in person birth support either at home or in hospital, and following up with postnatal care at home for you, your baby and your family.
The Birth came to be the name of my doula services because I firmly believe that the birth of a child also means the birth of a parent and a family. It is such a unique time for you all and as a birth and postnatal doula I aim to support each of you emotionally and physically so that you all thrive during this period of growth.
Diligent Doula
Hello Iām Nikki,
Iām an accredited Birth and Postnatal Doula and Hypnobirthing Instructor. Iām from London but moved to Essex when I decided to start a family.
For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated about anything pregnancy, birth and baby related. Giving birth to my own two daughters, only served to increase and ignited that passion. A desire to enter into the perinatal world grew and grew and finally I took the plunge and followed my heart in training as a Doula. It was the best decision I have ever made, offering complete, unconditional support to families on their journeys is an absolute joy and privilege and I never take for granted.
Birth is a journey. We start out roughly knowing the route we would like to take but like every walk of life, there can be twists, turns and unpredictability. My role is to never advise but to support and give you confidence in your own ability to achieve the experience you want, regardless of which route it takes. To make you feel prepared and heard with your questions answered and feel totally calm and in control.
As your Birth doula I offer unconditional, informative support, not just to you but to your partner. What their role is and how I can support them and they can support you, helping to achieve the birth experience you want and deserve. I have attended births where I have been the sole birth support and I am completely comfortable and ready to hold your hand that little bit tighter if needed.
post natal support businesses
These businesses are here to help and support you after youāve had your baby, from feeding support to help with getting your little ones to sleep.
Breastfeeding Expert
My name is Kerry Bassil, I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
I support families in their own homes with feeding their babies and children.
Infant Feeding Hertfordshire & Essex
Hi, I'm Charlotte Lowden...
I've been a Midwife for 15 years and I am also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Tongue tie Practitioner and mother of 2 girls.
I trained at Anglia Ruskin University, qualifying as a Midwife in 2007, working in a hospital setting and then predominantly in the community for the next 7 years. Community Midwifery has always been close to my heart. I love that I get to build relationships with the families I care for and support after birth, helping them to navigate their early days and weeks with a new baby.
Following the birth of my second daughter, I joined a team of Infant Feeding specialists, where my passion for supporting women with breastfeeding continued. I tried to learn everything I could about infant feeding, so that I might be able to help mothers and their babies as much as I possibly could.
In 2018, I trained as Tongue tie Practitioner, which allowed me to assess and release Tongue ties that are causing feeding issues. Often healthcare professionals are not trained to assess for infant tongue function, meaning many families do not receive the timely advice, support, or resolution that they might require. If feeding problems persist, despite support to achieve good attachment, this may indicate that a tongue tie assessment is necessary.
In 2021, I decided to study for the IBCLC exam, as this is the foremost lactation qualification available. I have enjoyed learning more about rare, complex and unusual breastfeeding complications and how best to offer support throughout the process of resolving them.
Little Dreams Chelmsford and Colchester
With three young children and a busy career, Lucy understands first-hand how a lack of sleep impacts not only your ability to be your best at work, but also as a parent.
Lucy has many years of experience of working with children in primary and secondary schools, supporting them to dream big and raise their aspirations for the future. After a successful career in higher education she joined Little Dreams to help families within Essex to get a better nightās sleep and enjoy being a parent, without the impact of tiredness and broken sleep.
As a little Dreams consultant, all of our packages are bespoke to individual families. We take the time to listen and establish an approach that will deliver the best outcome. Lucy has completed training with Little Dreams which is evidence led, inclusive and focuses of all aspects of sleep. This is supported by the completion of the Lullaby Trust SIDS and Safer Sleep course.
Lucy has a reputation of being calm and approachable and always strives to make families across Essex feel at ease and in control of their own parenting approach.
parent & baby class businesses
These businesses are here to help you have fun and bond with your baby. Our members offer such great classes across Essex ranginf from baby yoga, massage, music, drama and storytelling classes.
Little Story Shapers
Iām Sarah, owner of Little Story Shapers where we nurture a love of books and start your little ones reading journey early through our interactive, sensory storytelling and drama classes.
Each week we bring a new story book to life and our little ones take part in an immersive, interactive journey into the make believe worlds of stories using sensory props, songs, sign language and heaps of imagination.
Classes are designed to support your child's developmental milestones, build their communication skills and provide you with the opportunity to bond together and make special memories.
Our classes are warm and welcoming allowing parents to get to know each other and build a support network, whilst your little one gets the opportunity to socialise too.
SEE Inspiration Family and Children's Yoga
See Inspiration Yoga for Everyone
š Family Yoga
š Inclusive and Adapted Yoga
š Yoga Parties
š Rest, Restore and Revive Yoga
š Small Group Yoga
š One on One Yoga
Classes are run by me, Emily, a qualified teacher of yoga for children and families, but she is also an experienced Primary School teacher, Early Years advisor and SENCo.
I enjoy sharing yoga as I passionately believe in the benefits it has to offer all of us ā whether youāre a 1 year old, or 100 years young.
Talking Tots Chelmsford, Maldon and Colchester
Iām Zoe Fenlon owner of Talking Tots Chelmsford, Maldon and Colchester. In Talking Tots we help you and your child to explore words and sounds together, through interactive songs, games and rhymes. Our exclusive picture card activities help little ones to make sense of the relationships between words, building an early awareness of sounds and their meaning.
Most of all our classes will encourage your childās natural love of language and communication by providing an exciting playful introduction to the magic of words, whilst building confidence and social skills.
Our magic weapon ā each short activity is super fun and engaging but most importantly packed with learning. In each and every class we are not just building existing skills but developing new ones.
Most importantly classes are fun ā as learning should be. Weāre not just sat down being all serious, weāre jumping and dancing and singing and whizzing around like superheroās. 45 minutes of sheer enjoyment, enormous amounts of laughter and learning that will benefit children through preschool, school and beyond.
Moo music - Chelmsford
Fun, interactive music and sensory classes in Chelmsford for babies, toddlers and preschool aged children. All of our classes are based around our fantastic original songs that you won't hear anywhere else.
Each of our sessions have been carefully created so both children and their grown ups get the most out of each class.
Throughout each term we take your child on many adventures with Maggie Moo and her Moo Croo with different themes to suit each season.
Everyone is welcome at Moo - Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles, Childminders, whatever your relation, you're welcome.
Basking babies - burnham, hatfield peverel & maldon
Hello! My name is Sophie,
I am a qualified instructor in baby massage, reflexology, baby yoga and pregnancy relaxation and mum to the gorgeous little Freddie, who was born in November 2020. I am the proud owner of Basking Babies Burnham, Hatfield Peverel and Maldon.
Freddie and I loved attending the Basking Babies yoga classes when he was little, and we experienced first hand the benefits of baby massage, so much so that when the opportunity to become a Basking Babies instructor came about, I jumped at the chance. Both baby massage and yoga provide a wealth of benefits for you and your baby, so to be able to share this is an honour. My classes are fun, friendly and welcoming. I always hope to create a safe space for you to relax and meet fellow parents (and hopefully make some new great friends, which is often the case!) whilst arming you with skills to ease some of the challenges that come with parenthood.
baby products businesses
These businesses are here to provide you with some incredible products ranging from handmade clothing, to award winning swimwear and gorgeous 3D castings so your memories can last a lifetime!
First Treasures
My name is Laura and I set up First Treasures 11 years ago, just after the birth of my first child. As soon as he was born my world changed; I felt as though I wanted to freeze time, he was just so precious and perfect! So I began learning to create 3d castings of his hands and feet for me to keep and remember how tiny he was. Then, a little later I started to make the outprint tiles and jewellery, these products were my First Treasures of him...
First Treasures started from very humble beginnings; working from my kitchen at home, creating castings for friends and family. I soon realised that I absolutely loved creating these memories for people and the positive feedback about my products blew me away! So I set about creating the brand and building my business; slowly but surely with the help of my previous career in marketing, First Treasures has grown to what it is today; something I am very proud of.
First Treasures has now created over 6000 professionally made 3d baby hand and foot castings, family handclasp sculptures and outprint tiles from my bespoke countryside studio near Chelmsford in Essex.
I still wish I could freeze time, as I now have 2 children who are getting incredibly grown up and I am left wondering - where did that time go? BUT I have created castings of them over the years to capture them when they were tiny and I am thankful for that. I have also created these special memories and keepsakes for so many local families too!
Little Gems Handmade Clothing
Hi Iām Gemma, founder of Little Gems Handmade Clothing.
Little Gems makes quirky, unique, handmade jumpers and leggings for little ones that are colourful and comfortable.
My clothes go from baby all the way up to 7 years old.
You can find my stuff on Etsy and I will be appearing at local markets around the Chelmsford area too.
Bubble tots
Hi, I'm Pia, the founder of Bubble Tots.
Having previously worked in a finance job in the city I took a career break to focus on IVF. My journey was a rollercoaster and I found solace in swimming. When I was swimming I noticed, parents struggling with dressing their babies in traditional rear zipping swimwear, causing discomfort and increasing the time where baby was getting cold.
I spoke with friends who also said it was a pain and they wanted some nicer designs to choose from. This is why I created Bubble Tots.