Little Villagers
A useful list for parents in Rusthall and Langton Green. This list is intended as a helpful starting point and is not an endorsement - please do still make any background checks you naturally would when looking for services for children. The list focuses on services available in Rusthall and Langton Green - for more on what is available further afield the website My Tunbridge Wells is an excellent resource.
Pregnancy and birth
There is a pregnancy to-do list here from the NHS about what to do when you are pregnant.
Rusthall Medical Centre, Nellington Rd, Rusthall, TN4 8UW - 01892 515142.
There is no GP surgery in Langton Green, but many people register with Rusthall Medical Centre or Speldhurst. Find a surgery near you here.
You can make an appointment to see a midwife either at Rusthall Medical Centre or Harmony Children’s Centre on Rusthall High Street.
This is a link to more information about the maternity services at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury.
The National Childbirth Trust has lots of information on their website and runs courses.
Alison Fraser is a newly qualified student doula who lives in Rusthall and can provide support when you have your baby. Email her to find out more at doulasanctuary@gmail.com.
What is a doula? Find out more here.
Information on Maternity Pay and Leave entitlement is here, paternity pay and leave entitlement here, and on benefits to support families with children here.
Newborn
Information about what to expect from NHS Kent Community Health (including what Health Visitors do) is here.
Childminders
Kent County Council have a list of childminders registered with them here. You can enter a postcode to search for those closest to your home or workplace.
Parent and toddler groups
Little Saints toddler group -Tuesdays during term time in Langton Green church hall (next to All Saints’ church) from 9am - 11am.
Stay and Play session at Harmony Children’s Centre on Rusthall High Street on Wednesday mornings from 9.10-10.45. All groups need to be booked. Call 03000 414 600 or email ArkCCMail01@kent.gov.uk or follow them at @TWChildrenscentre on Facebook.
Playground at Rusthall Library session on Tuesdays at 10.30am. Playground is a free weekly session for children aged 0 - 24 months and their parents or carers in libraries and early years settings across Kent. Led by a team of brilliant artists and musicians, you and your child can share creative play. If you would like to find out more, please email playgroundproject@kent.gov.uk
Playgrounds
Mary Caley playground, Ashley Gardens, Rusthall. Popular little playground.
Southwood Road Recreation Ground, Rusthall. Larger adventure playground with sand, zip wire, football fields, basketball court and skate ramp.
Langton Green Recreation Ground, Langton Green, TN3 0JJ. Small popular play area close to the village hall, school, pre-school and Pavilion cafe.
Education
This is Book Love is a fantastic resource of anti-racist, multicultural books for children.
Child friendly cafes
Langton Pavilion Cafe, Langton Green Recreation Ground, entrance off Speldhurst Rd. Plenty of space and toys.
Brunch Cafe has a children’s menu including the Little Brunchie’s Breakfast.
Daily Bread in Rusthall High Street has a garden at the back and a Little Ones menu.
A-Star Cafe in Rusthall on the corner of Southwood Road and the High Street. Friendly, and their milkshakes are a hit with my daughter.
Pre-schools
Manor Road Pre-school, Manor Road, Rusthall. 07972 739852.
Sunnyside Pre-school, Sunnyside Hall, Rusthall. 07534810779. info@playplace.org
Little Birches Nursery and Pre-school, Langton Green Village Hall. 01892 862943. wecare@littlebirches-tw.co.uk
Schools
State Primary
Rusthall St Paul’s Primary School - High Street, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8RZ. office@rusthall-cep.kent.sch.uk 01892 520582 Instagram @rusthallschool
Langton Green Primary School - Lampington Row, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0JG. office@langton-green-school.org
Primary School admissions are through Kent County Council - find out more here.
State secondary
The following is a list of secondary schools in Tunbridge Wells currently attended by Rusthall and Langton Green children. You should contact the individual schools to find out their different selection criteria. There is information about the Kent Test (eleven-plus) for Grammar School entrance here. Bennett Memorial and St Gregory’s Catholic School both require a suplementary form evidencing church attendance. There are also secondary schools in Tonbridge and Crowborough that many children travel to. There is more information about applying for a secondary school place through Kent County Council here.
Bennett Memorial Diocesan School, Clulverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9SH.
The Skinners’ Kent Academy, Sandown Park, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4PY.
St Gregory’s Catholic School, Reynolds Lane, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9XL.
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, St John’s Rd, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9XB.
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Girls, Southfield Rd, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9UJ.
The Skinners’ School, St John’s Rd, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9PG. (Grammar school for boys only).
Private school
Holmewood House School - Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0EB. admin@holmewoodhouse.co.uk
Private tutoring services