***See end of this article for a full list of sessions by district / borough***
Free sessions including messy play, language workshops and sensory fun are being held as part of Leicestershire’s first ever ‘Baby Fortnight’.
Parents and carers of 0-2 year-olds are welcome to come along with their little ones, and their pre-school age siblings, to the events which will take place between April 8-21 across the county.
They’ve been organised as part of Leicestershire County council’s Family Hubs Start for Life Initiative which helps to give parents and carers a deeper understanding of how they can aid their child’s development through simple and fun activities.
Jane Moore, director of children and family services at Leicestershire County Council, said: “This is the first ever Baby Fortnight we’ve hosted and there are lots of fun and educational activities for families to take part in.
“The sessions provide a great opportunity to meet other parents and carers of similarly aged children and for families to get comfortable using our Family Hubs, all of which have opened throughout the county within the past year.”
Three new sessions will make their debut during the fortnight which focus on creative play, language and communication skills, and sensory experiences.
- ‘Let’s Get Messy’ is a creative session providing fun for children and parents alike whilst also sharing tips on how messy play can encourage a child’s development.
- ‘Tip Top Talkers’ offers a unique workshop for parents/carers and children to come together and learn some tips on how to improve language and communication skills.
- ‘Little Senses’ sessions provide fun activities for you and your child to explore their senses and encourage all round brain development.
To book a place, contact your local Family Hub directly. Our Family Hub website has details of events, addresses and hub contact details.
Virtual sessions will also be available for childcare providers. Agencies involved in delivering these are Leicestershire County Council, HomeStart Horizons, LPT, Active Together and Rutland County Council.
Those working with parents/carers and their children from conception and the early years (pre-school) are encouraged to sign up
List of sessions by district / borough
Blaby and Oadby & Wigston
Monday 8th April Active Mums Club Buggy Walk, Brocks Hill, Oadby 10am - 11am - Just turn up!
Wednesday 10th April, Wigston, 1 – 2.30pm – Lets get messy!
Tuesday 16th April, Huncote, 1pm – Little Senses
Wednesday 17th April, Braunstone Town Family Hub, 10am – 11am – Tip Top Talkers
Thursday 18th April, Active Mums Club Buggy Walk, Everards Meadows, Enderby 10am - 11am - Just turn up
Wigston Family Hub – 0116 3055282
Huncote Family Hub– 0116 3050306
Braunstone Town Family Hub – 0116 3054217
Charnwood:
Monday 8th April – Thurmaston Family Hub – 1:30pm – 2:30pm – Tip Top Talkers
Monday 8th April – Mountfields Family Hub – 1 to 2.20pm – Lets get Messy!
Tuesday 9th April - Active Mums Club Buggy Walk, Gorse Covert Community Centre, Loughborough 1pm - 2pm - Just turn up
Tuesday 16th April – Thurmaston Family Hub – 10 to 11.30am – Little Senses
Thurmaston Family Hub – 0116 305 5264
Mountfields Family Hub – 0116 305 2880
Harborough:
Friday 12th April – Market Harborough Family Hub – 10 to 11.30am – Lets get Messy
Monday 15th April – Lutterworth Family Hub – 1:30pm – 2:30pm – Tip Top Talkers
Market Harborough Family Hub - 0116 305 0079
Lutterworth Family Hub – 0116 305 5011
Hinckley and Bosworth
Tuesday 9th – Earl Shilton Family Hub – 1 to 2.30pm – Lets get Messy
Thursday 18th April Bagworth Family Hub – 10am – 11am – Tip Top Talker
Friday 19th April – Hinckley East Family Hub – 10.30 to 12pm – Little Senses
Earl Shilton - 0116 305 5601
Bagworth - 0116 305 5601
Hinckley East - 0116 305 5601
Melton
Thursday 11th April - Melton – The Edge Family Hub – 10am – 11am – Tip Top Talkers
Monday 15th April – The Edge Family Hub – 10 to 11.30 – Little Senses
The Edge Family Hub - 0116 305 1060
North West Leicestershire
Tuesday 9th April – Coalville Children & Family Centre – 10.30 to 12pm – Lets get Messy
Wednesday 10th April – Measham Family Hub – 10am – 11am – Tip Top Talkers
Tuesday 16th April – Coalville Children & Family Centre – 10.30 to 12pm – Little Senses
Coalville - 0116 305 5993
Measham – 0116 3055275