Registered Charity No 1087716
About Us
At Howbury Tumblers, we’ve been welcoming little ones and their families since 2000. What started as a small parent-led group has grown into a friendly, vibrant community hub for babies, toddlers, parents and carers in Slade Green and the surrounding areas.
Our Story – Over 25 Years of Care
Our journey started in June 2000 at the old Howbury Centre, founded by our manager, Carole. That same year, Clare joined as a work experience student and became a vital part of the team, with Tina and Sam joining us later.
In 2001, Howbury Tumblers became a registered charity, which allowed us to apply for funding to improve the activities, toys, and learning opportunities we could offer our families. Some of the initial Committee members are still active on the committee today, a testament to their suport and commitment to our lovely little charity.
In December 2004, disaster struck when a fire destroyed most of the centre. Despite losing almost everything, the determination of our team, families, and supporters meant we bounced back. Within just a few days, we held our Christmas parties as planned – a sign of the strength and resilience that defines our community. After three months of repairs, we reopened, better and stronger.
In 2014, we said a final farewell to the old Howbury Centre and moved to our current home. Since then, our community has grown even stronger. Around this time, Lucy joined our team , and in 2018 we were so happy to welcome Donna on board.Today, after more than 25 years, Howbury Tumblers continues to go from strength to strength, and we remain a trusted place for local families to meet, play, and learn.
How We Are Run
As a registered charity, Howbury Tumblers is managed day-to-day by our passionate and caring staff team. Behind the scenes, we also have a Management Committee made up of parents and carers of children who attend our sessions.
The committee meets at least four times a year, usually in the evenings, to discuss ideas, organise events, and make decisions about how Tumblers is run.
We are always looking for new parents and carers to get involved – your voice matters!
By working together, our team and committee ensure that everything we do is shaped around the needs of the children and families we serve.
Family Involvement
You are what makes Tumblers special.
We encourage all parents and carers to take an active role in our sessions and activities. By getting involved, you make a huge difference to your child’s experience and build lasting friendships with other families.
There are so many ways to be part of the fun:
Join in during creative activities or singing times
Share your skills – whether it’s arts and crafts, music, dance, or cooking
Bring ideas for activities that reflect your culture or traditions
Join the committee and have a direct say in how we run
We also provide opportunities for parents and carers to build their own skills, which can boost confidence and open new doors.
Why Choose Howbury Tumblers?
Families choose Tumblers because we offer so much more than play:
A safe, caring, inclusive, fully accessible space for parents, carers ,babies and toddlers
Affordable sessions made possible by funding from BBC Children In Need & more
Fun, structured activities like creative play, singing, dancing, messy play, and cooking
An outdoor garden for safe , healthy and active play
A warm, community-focused team that welcomes everyone
A chance for parents and carers to make friends and get involved
Support for Families
Our support doesn’t end with play sessions. At Howbury Tumblers, we are always here for families. Whether you need advice, an extra pair of hands, or just someone to talk to, you’ll always find a friendly face.
We believe that well-supported parents raise happy, confident children. That’s why we go beyond just play, creating an environment where friendships form, support networks grow, and parents can feel reassured.
Training and Work Experience
Howbury Tumblers is also passionate about giving back to the community through training and work experience opportunities.
We welcome childcare students of all ages and levels to gain hands-on experience in a real childcare setting. Many of our students have gone on to achieve great success in early years education and childcare, and we are proud to have played a part in their journey.
Join Our Community
Whether you’re new to the area, looking for a group where your little one can play and make friends, or searching for a supportive community, you are always welcome at Howbury Tumblers.
We would love for you to come and see for yourself why so many families choose us. Together, we make every day fun, safe, and full of learning.
Our Commitment to the Community
We are proud to be a community hub for families in Slade Green.
We have worked in partnership with local organisations, such as Slade Green Big Local, to make a positive impact.
Funding from organisations including Children In Need, The National Lottery Community Fund, ASDA Foundation, Masonic Foundation and other smaller charities such as Skipton Foundation allow us to maintain high-quality fun and educational sessions while keeping our costs to you as low as possible, in our commitment to remaining affordable for all.
Thanks to this funding, we are able to offer sessions from just £1 per visit (babies under 6 months), ensuring affordability for everyone. Please see pricing page for costs for all ages and sessions
The Tumblers Team
Carole Read - Manager/ Head playleader
Carole set up Howbury Tumblers in 2000 - a complete career change after her former life as a scientific officer. Carole has NVQ level 3 qualifications and is an A1 assessor in Childcare.
Carole is a qualified First aider and holds certificates in Safeguarding Children, Food safety, Health & Safety, and Face painting.
Clare Eastop - Assistant Manager / Lead playleader
Clare came to Tumblers in 2000 on her work experience placement from Erith College and never left ! She quickly settled in and was found to be invaluable, and when an opening became available Clare was the natural choice. Apart from a brief spell away while Clare had her children, she has been with us for all these years. Clare is qualified to NVQ level 4 in Childcare, and has certificates in Safeguarding Children, First Aid, Health & safety and Food Hygiene.
Lucy Plaskasovitis - Senior Playleader
Lucy has attended tumblers for many years with her own children and has long been a volunteer, both as a Committee member and helping out at the group. Lucy is Qualified to a level 3 in Childcare, and over the past couple of years has been doing Outreach Creche work for Tumblers. Lucy took on the role of our Second funded Children In need Playleader last year, and with this experience was promoted to Senior funded play leader in September 2018.
Donna Leinster - Playleader
Donna has been working alongside Carole for over a year now - post pandemic, and we are very happy to welcome her onto the staff - she will be working Tuesdays and Thursdays. Donna has a keen interest in additional needs and will be a key staff member involved in tracking.
Sam Rawlins - Covering
Sam has been working with us for several years now - she attended Tumblers in the early years with her children, joined the Committee and took on the role of secretary . Sam subsequently covered Clare in Tumblers on her maternity leave, and then started doing Creche and Outreach work. Sam put herself through her NVQ 3 in childcare and has studied courses on SEN.
Behind Every Success is a Dedicated Team
✨ If you love what we do and want to see us keep growing, please consider supporting us with a donation. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue creating and improving our work. Your support allows us to invest in new equipment, better tools, and resources that make a real difference in the quality of what we share with you.
By donating, you’re not just helping us cover costs — you’re becoming part of our journey. Together, we can keep pushing forward, creating even more meaningful memories, and reaching more people who can benefit from it.
🙏 Thank you for believing in us and for helping turn our ideas into reality.
Special Thanks to Our Supporters!
PRIVACY NOTICE
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