Children's Centres & Facilities

Toy Library

Welcome to our Toy Library!

Please feel free to browse and choose toys for your children to enjoy.

Browse Toy Catalogue

Sensory Toy Catalogue Sensory toys and equipment for hire by Settings and Childminders only

Toy Library Leaflet

Activity Chest Catalogue Activity Chest Flyer Settings and Childminders only.

Planning sheets for Children’s Centre Activity Chests:

• Colours and Festivals
• ICT
• Jungle Animals
• Keeping Healthy
• Keeping Safe
• Multicultural

How to order the toys

You can either pre-order the toys for collection at the next Toy Library or arrange for home delivery for just £2 (delivery/collection) If you wish to order by telephone, please ring 020 8386 4038 or Email toy.library@hertsmereleisure.co.uk.

About the Toy Library

Our main Toy Library is based at The BECC Children’s Centre in Borehamwood. It also visits other venues in the Community. You are welcome to visit the Toy Library at any of our locations.

Toy Library Timetable

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
	9:30 -12:00 The BECC Shakespeare Drive Borehamwood WD6 2FD	10.00 – 11.30 Visit to settings in Potters Bar.Toys can be ordered – please look at our catalogue and email your request.	10.00 – 11:30 Bricket Wood Street United Reform Church West Riding Bricket Wood AL2 3QR	10.00 – 11.00 Shenley Chapel Radlett Lane Shenley WD7 9DW
1.30 – 2.30 St John’s Church Gills Hill Lane Radlett WD7 8DF	1:00 – 2:30 The BECC Shakespeare Drive Borehamwood WD6 2FD	1:30 – 2:30 First Place Nursery Falconer Road Bushey WD23 3AQ	1:30 – 2:30 Tannerswood Hall Hazelwood Lane Abbots Langley WD5 0LG

Road Safety Awareness

Look out at our Play and Stay sessions for Road Safety role play opportunities for your children. There will be opportunities for parents and children to experience “crossing the road” and using the “Pelican crossing” as well as children having hands on experience of being the school crossing patrol person. Young children love to show adults how it could be done and adults can show children how to cross the roads safely.

"Stop, Look and Listen" song

To reinforce crossing the roads safely we would like to share a short song called “Stop, Look and Listen” with you and your children at our sessions so, please join us and print off a song sheet.

• Download song sheet (pdf, 50k)

Have you considered the benefits of play to you and your family?

Play is good for all age groups. It combines a whole host of mental and physical benefits to individuals and families alike. Apart from just being enjoyable, it is:

• Healthy
• Educational
• Sociable
• Recreational
• Great for family bonding
• Fun

Psychologists have identified numerous ways that play helps childhood development. It enhances:

• Thinking power
• Mental fitness
• Practical knowledge
• Personal and emotional well-being
• Physical development

What is a Toy Library?

Toy Libraries allow parents/carers and children to access a variety of different toys and books at low cost. They work just as ordinary libraries do, enabling toys to be hired for short periods of time. The Toy Library is committed to providing:

• Good quality toys to hire
• A wide range of toys suitable for babies, toddlers, pre-school children. There is also a range of toys specifically for children with special needs
• Information, ideas and support for playing with your child
• Resources for the community groups e.g. Pre-schools and parent and Toddler groups

How do I become a member of Hertsmere Toy Library?

Simply drop in to any of the Toy Library venues and give us your details.

How much will it cost to become a member?

Annual Membership fees

Family membership	£6.00
Discounted membership for families on benefit	£3.00
Membership renewals	£3.00
Schools and Settings and Childminders	£25.00 (per annum and no hire fees)

How long can I hire the toys for?

The maximum length of time that toys can be kept is 2 weeks.

How much will a toy cost to hire?

The cost of hiring a toy will vary depending on its size/value. Prices range from 30p - £2 a week.

How many toys can I hire per week?

You can hire up to a maximum of 5 toys per week

What happens if the toy gets broken?

If toys are broken or lost whilst on hire, please don’t worry about telling us, we can always resolve the problem.

Hertsmere Toy Library is a member of the National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries.

Top of page