Bolton Early Years 0-5s

Please note - no sessions next week at Tonge and Oldhams (between 24-28 Aug). The new guide to free services and activities for families in Bolton will be available soon and will include the timetable for SEND stay and play sessions in the autumn term.

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Families of children 0-5 with SEND are invited to join the Best Start Family Hubs summer stay and play activity sessions.

All sessions are relaxed, free to attend, fun, and quite often very messy 🫟🖌️

No diagnosis necessary.

This week (17-21 Aug):

Tuesdays | 10:00am - 11:30am | Harvey Best Start Family Hub
Thursdays | 10:00am - 11:30am | Tonge Best Start Family Hub
Friday | 1:00pm - 2:30pm | Oldhams Best Start Family Hub

No need to book!

Join ‘Understanding your child’ a Togetherness group, starting September 2026

This is a FREE 10-week group (2 hours a week in a Family Hub) offering insightful tips and resources around child development, play, communication, emotions and much more!

If you’re a Bolton parent / carer with a child under the age of 4, this is for you 🙌 whether you’re navigating new experiences or just curious to learn.

Book your place online: https://familiestogether.org.uk/book-your-place/

🎉 Looking for something fun to do with your toddler?

Toddler Tales runs throughout the school holidays (except bank holidays), with free story sessions at libraries across Bolton. 📚

Come and share stories, songs and smiles with other local families.

No need to book. Free to attend. Great for families with children aged 2-5 years.

Caring for a baby under 2 and finding it tough?
You might benefit from Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) 💙

Join a Compassionate Mind for Baby and Me group. The group offers support for anxiety, stress, and self-criticism through Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT).

Babies welcome 👶

Find out more and self-refer: gmmh.nhs.uk/bolton-talking-therapies

Learn Language Together - Sign up now!

Recreate-U offer a free English language and early learning programme for parents and carers with babies aged 0 to 6 months in Bolton that speak other languages.

Families attending can learn English with a qualified ESOL teacher, build confidence, improve wellbeing, meet other families, enjoy a free meal and take part in fun activities that support babies' early development.

Sessions take place at:

Harvey Best Start Family Hub, Shaw Street, Bolton BL3 6HU
o Block 1: 30 October to 11 December, 3:30pm to 5:30pm
o Block 2: 15 January to 19 February, 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Oxford Grove Best Start Family Hub, Oxford Grove, Bolton BL1 3BH
o Block 1: 4 September to 9 October, 12:30pm to 2:30pm
o Block 2: 30 October to 11 December, 12:30pm to 2:30pm
o Block 3: 15 January to 19 February, 12:30pm to 2:30pm

Professionals can also refer families and attend the first session.

Contact Recreate-U on 07563 899067 or email [email protected]

The Dummy Heroes will be at today's REAL family fun activity session 🎉

You child can swap their dummy today or you can pick up some tips for when the time is right.

Come and meet the Dummy Heroes:
📅Friday 14th August
⏰9:30am - 11:00am
🏠Harvey Best Start Family Hub, Shaw Street, BL3 6HU.

The heroes will be around to give you and your child top tips, advice and support on:
✨giving up their dummy (during the session or tips for doing it later)
✨keeping their mouth and teeth healthy
✨speech, language, and communication development

In addition, there will be lots of fun family friendly activities to enjoy together. It's a free session and there is no need to book ahead. Just drop-in!

For more information, please contact the Early Years Communication and Language Development Service (EYCLDS) on 01204 338349.

Wondering when to wean your baby, or how to find the right childcare support?

The new Best Start in Life website brings together all the advice you might need on your journey as a parent.

www.beststartinlife.gov.uk

👶 Have you recently welcomed a new baby?

The Baby in Mind Baby Bonding Group is designed for parents and carers with babies aged newborn to 6 months.

This small, supportive group offers a chance to slow down, spend quality time with your baby, and learn more about your baby's development through gentle and playful activities.

💙 A welcoming space where you can simply be with your baby.

📅 Starts: 9 September 2026
📍 Bright Meadow Best Start Family Hub, Breightmet

To book: 📧 [email protected] 📞 01204 483 222

📖 Story time awaits!

Toddler Tales sessions take place every week in Bolton libraries, helping little ones discover the joy of books, stories, and songs.

Find your nearest session and come along! ✨

No need to book. Free to attend. Great for families with children aged 2-5 years.