Thanks for that.
Live near the Metro station on Arturo Soria, and yes- theres plenty of small playgrounds for the kids: it's just that winters not the best time to use them!!
Also we picked up a copy of the Broadsheet, and my wife's been to one or two of the playgroups which are really good. However, the problem is that they tend to be organised from 10.30 to 12.30, and she has to leave at 11.30 to pick up my middle child from Nursey at 12.00, meaning only 1 hour there.
Cheers for the info.