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 the Toy Catalogue (pdf, 1.5mb)

Download Toy Library Leaflet

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 Janet.Maddison@hertsmereleisure.co.uk.

About the Toy Library

Toy library sessions will be run from a variety of venues, giving parents/carers and their children the opportunity to hire a variety of quality toys and books at low cost.

Our main Toy Library is based at the Children’s Centre in Borehamwood with a satellite Toy Library at the Children’s Centre in Potters Bar.

Toy Library Weekly Timetable

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
10.00 – 10.45 The Church of St John the Baptist M&T group Church Lane, Aldenham WD25 8BE 11/1/2010 – 29/3/2010 Not 15/2/2010	9.30 -11.30 The BECC Shakespeare Drive Borehamwood WD6 2FD From 5/1/2010	9.30 - 10.30 PB1 Chace Ave Potters Bar EN6 5NP From 6/1/2010	9.15 - 10.15 St James M&T group High Street Bushey WD23 1BD 14/1/2010 – 25/3/2010 Not 18/2/2010	10.30 - 11.45 Shenley Chapel Radlett Lane Shenley WD7 9DW From 8/1/2010
10.00 – 12.00 The Hartspring Community Centre Hartspring Lane Watford WD23 2BJ 11/1/2010 – 29/3/2010 Not 15/2/2010	12.45 – 1.45 St Saviours Catholic Church 96 The Crescent Abbots Langley WD5 0DS 12/1/2010 – 30/3/2010 Not 16/2/2010	11.00 - 12.00 Holy Trinity Church Frogmore AL2 2JT 13/1/2010 – 10/2/2010	10.30 - 11.30 Bricket Wood United Reform Church West Riding Bricket Wood AL2 3QR 14/1/2010 – 25/3/2010 Not 18/2/2010
1.30 – 2.30 Radlett Library Aldenham Avenue Radlett WD7 8HL 11/1/2010 – 29/3/2010 Not 15/2/2010	2.30 – 3.30 Phillimore Centre Phillimore Place Radlett WD7 8NN 12/1/2010 – 30/3/2010 Not 16/2/2010	2.00 - 3.00 South Mimms Village Hall Blanche Lane South Mimms Potters Bar EN6 6/1/2010 – 31/3/2010 Not 17/2/2010

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
• Social skills

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.

Hertsmere Toy Library is committed to:

• Providing good quality toys to hire
• Providing a wide range of toys suitable for babies, toddlers and pre-school children.
• Giving information, ideas and support for playing with your child
• Being a resource 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 either the Children’s Centre at Borehamwood or Potter Bar 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
Childminders	£6.00
Pre-school setting	£8.00
Membership renewals	£3.00

When can I use the Toy Library?

There will be regularly Play and Stay sessions held at both the Children’s Centres at Borehamwood and Potters Bar where you and your child can enjoy and get involved in a range of play activities as well as having a chance to look at the range of toys available to hire. To find out when the next Play and Stay session is either look on the Hertsmere Leisure website or drop in to one of the Children’s Centres.

How long can I hire the toys for?

Toys can be hired for 1 week at a time. The cost of hiring a toy will vary depending on its size/value. Prices range from 50p - £2 a week.

What happens if the toy gets broken?

If toys are broken or lost whilst on hire, please don’t worry about telling us, it may be something that could be sorted out.

Have you got any equipment for children’s parties or special events?

We have air flow equipment available and activity chests for hire. The air flows are themed – under the sea, Thomas the Tank engine and football. Call the Children’s Centre office (Tel: 020 8386 4038) to find out more. To understand how activity chests benefit your child's learning, see the principles factsheet below.

• Download Air flow leafet (pdf, 512k)
• Download Air flow set up instructions (pdf, 809k)
• Download Air flow booking form (pdf, 70k)
• Download activity chest leaflet (pdf, 255k)
• "The Farm" - Example of activity chest learning principles (pdf, 784k)

See air flows in the Photo Gallery

Terms and Conditions

1. The airflows are unsuitable for children over the age of 5.
2. It is the hirer’s responsibility to supervise children playing with this equipment at all times.
3. If this equipment gets dam aged, please tell us.
4. Please return equipment in the containers provided, clean and useable for the next hirer.

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

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