St Catherine's Baby and Toddler Group

What to Expect

St Catherine’s Community Services Centre on St Joseph’s Road hosts a weekly baby and toddler group every Tuesday morning, giving parents and carers of young children a regular, low-key place to meet other families in Carlow town. Children play together in a supervised indoor space with toys set out for different ages, while parents get a chance to sit down, have a cup of tea and talk to other adults going through the same stage of early parenthood. The centre is also home to Carlow Parent Hub, the county’s main information point for family services, so the session doubles as an easy way to find out about other supports, groups and classes running locally. Because the group is run through a community services centre rather than a private crèche, it is aimed squarely at making the morning affordable and welcoming rather than programme-led. St Catherine’s is one of the busiest family-support buildings in Carlow town: as well as the toddler group, it is the base for Carlow Parent Hub’s directory of services and for holiday programmes such as the Outdoor Adventure Hub, so staff on site are well placed to point parents toward other supports, from breastfeeding groups to parenting courses, that they might not otherwise hear about.

Good to Know

• Every Tuesday, 10:00am to 12:00pm.
• Venue: St Catherine’s Community Services Centre, St Joseph’s Road, Carlow town.
• Booking is essential and a waiting list can apply when places are full, so contact the centre in advance rather than turning up on the day.
• Phone 086 138 0807 to check availability or ask about joining the waiting list.
• Suitable for babies and pre-school children with a parent, grandparent or childminder.
• St Catherine’s also runs the Carlow Outdoor Adventure Hub and other family programmes from the same building, so it is worth asking staff what else is on while you are there.

Getting There

St Catherine’s Community Services Centre is on St Joseph’s Road, a short drive or walk from Carlow town centre. On-site parking is available at the centre, making it straightforward for parents with buggies and young children.