‘Sparkle Tots’ is church for pre-schoolers and their parents or carers. It takes place at St Nicholas Church in Droitwich on Mondays during term time.
It provides a calm and safe space for young children to become accustomed to being in a church for a time with God that is tailored just for them and focuses on what they will find interesting and engaging.
Sparkle Tots’ leader Christine Holzapfel said:
“We started Sparkle Tots in October 2024, originally as a way to stay in touch with our Baptism families. Our usual services can be tricky for small children, so this is something we feel we can invite families to. We also advertised it locally which brought more families in, who then invited their friends.”
As small children like familiarity, the sessions broadly follow a set format although they are sometimes adapted slightly if the theme requires it.
The time together begins with a ‘Welcome’ song where each child is mentioned by name and asked to place a handprint cut out on a welcome board. Each session also includes a candle lighting song, to remember Jesus is with us, and activity songs. For example, the group move around the church singing ‘This is the way we go to church’ to the tune ‘Here we go round the mulberry bush’, with the children suggesting how they might go - drive, run, swim, fly…! In the porch they take turns to ring the church bell. There will be a Bible based teaching or story and then a craft activity relating to the bible story or theme for the day, followed by a prayer song. There then follows a relaxed time of unstructured free play for the children and refreshments for everyone. This gives the parents and carers a chance to chat with one another, and the leaders a chance to talk with each family. A song of blessing and the ‘Goodbye’ song then close the time together.
Christine added:
“We want the children coming to know that they are important and that this is time for them. We want them to feel safe here and that they are known and valued and can be themselves. We also want them to understand more about how much God loves them and key Christian values such as sharing and helping each other. Essentially, what it’s like to be part of God’s caring family.”
Sam, one of the parents attending a recent service, said:
“I love coming with my daughter. There’s something really special about the group and the leaders. It feels very supportive and a good link with the community. My daughter recognises its important even though she doesn’t fully understand it. It’s toddler-led education and involvement and very accessible in a way that normal church isn’t. We really look forward to coming.”
Another parent, Andy said:
“It’s a lovely local play group and I grew up with church songs and learning about God so thought it’d be nice for my son to do the same. He loves the songs and has made friends here.”
Gail, a grandma who attends with her grandson said:
“I like coming to Sparkle Tots because it's a very welcoming group. I like the structure of lighting the candle together, saying hello to each child, having a story from the bible followed by a creative activity then play/chat & singing goodbye. Barney always looks forward to seeing everyone and talks about the sessions with enthusiasm.”
Christine concluded:
“Over the months ahead we hope to grow this group, but children who come to Sparkle Tots will eventually go on to school, most of the current group in September 2026. We will be asking the parents and children what kind of group or service they would like to follow on to, as we want to keep a connection with them.”
“We know some churches wait for funding before starting anything, but it’s amazing what you can do with what you’ve already got! Two of us leaders had a very similar vision for this and went to our vicar around the same time, who simply put us in touch with each other. We know God is at work in all this, so it will be interesting to see what his plan is for what’s next, as if it’s God’s plan it will take off!"
