With their three little children - Jaego, Jesse and Orly - in tow, the reality of navigating London as a parent hit for Charlie Gardiner and his wife Lucy: the chaos of a pub lunch, packing kids up and darting around London for different activities, and freezing misery of outdoor playgrounds. And so, his Little Houses Group of family clubs were born – joyful, jam-packed paradises for kids and parents alike, all in one place and in one affordable monthly fee.
This July, Little Houses’ latest outpost, Jesse’s House, will open in Parsons Green - a bustling community in this leafy corner of the capital - designed for tired parents in need to reconnect and recharge. Highlights of the new House include an indoor pool (with swim school for babies to 10-year-olds), a covered outdoor pool, Reformer Pilates studio and wellness offerings, huge courtyard with playground to let off steam, plus the choice of football and playball on the mini sports pitch.
Named after Charlie’s second child, Jesse’s House joins their first club, Jaego’s House which launched in Kensal Rise in 2022.
“For most of us, it’s great to find somewhere that kids like visiting just as much as their parents do and that’s exactly how we want our members to feel about Jesse's House. Here families will find reassuringly noisy sanctuaries, where children can dive into the jungle gym in full scream, sink into a beanbag in the kids’ cinema room or go wild in TARKA and other kids’ classes.
After such positive feedback about Jaego’s House, Parsons Green’s family-friendly atmosphere feels like the perfect next location”
The main goal is for Jesse's House to be where family life is made easier and more fun. Furthermore, it will always be somewhere where kids are allowed to be kids. They can express themselves, make a mess and have the odd tantrum without any judgment, eye rolling or requests to be quiet. This is a place where children should be seen and heard.
If the proverb ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ is ringing in your ear, but you’re desperately wondering where yours is as the next tantrum looms, Jesse's House is your ready-made saving grace. With coffee mornings for new locals and parents, maternity leave meet ups and adult only evenings you’re safe in a community of parents navigating this ride together. Our Little Houses are teeming communities in their corners of the capital, designed for tired parents in need of a reconnect and recharge.
We spoke to hundreds of fellow parents about what they’d love to see in a family club, and it turns out that most of us want the same thing. So, we started imagining a place that parents would look forward to visiting just as much as their children. A place with fun childminders and an exceptional nursery. A place where children can play, learn and let off steam while parents relax, work in peace and enjoy a child-free workout. A place which makes family life easier and more fun. Then we started making it a reality.
Throughout Jesse's House you’ll meet a team who are welcoming, energetic and proactive, and will go above and beyond to make you feel at home here. We’ve chosen to staff the club with people who are both passionate about providing great service and relish interacting with children.
The Crèche and Kids' Club is run by experienced childminders specialises in providing childcare professionals with a background in theatre. This means our sessions will be led by a crew adept at imaginative play and storytelling, and who will bring bundles of energy to the room. They’ll throw themselves into facilitating fun and games that will give children confidence, enrich their education and send them home smiling every time.