The most important teacher in your child's life is you

Children spend less than 20% of their waking hours at school or pre-school settings, so parents and carers who can support a child’s learning will give them a real advantage. Family Learning courses and workshops help you to give your child that head start.

What will I do?

In our relaxed, small group settings, you will:

  • share your thoughts, concerns and ideas with our experienced adult tutor and other learners
  • make resources and activities to try out at home
  • adapt ideas to help your child
  • gain confidence to speak to teachers about their progress
  • find new interests for yourself.

Many of our learners have gone on to volunteer and work in schools and early years settings, along with a host of other jobs. Others do it just for fun and to see the friends they’ve made along the way.

Courses for parents, grandparents and carers of pre-school children

Early Start

1-2 year olds

Focus on your child’s speech, language and communication. We try out and talk about activities and ways you can support their development and widen their experiences at home and in the outdoor world.

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Early Start Plus

3 - 4 year olds

Focus on your child’s speech, language and communication. We try out and talk about activities and ways you can support their development and widen their experiences at home and in the outdoor world.

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Get Ready for School

3 - 5 year olds

Find out how you can build your child’s confidence and independence to get them ready for school.

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Fun with Family Learning
Courses for parents, grandparents and carers of children aged 4-6

Fun with Phonics

Get to grips with how phonics is taught in schools and unpack the jargon. Learn games to support your child.

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Stories, Songs and Rhymes

Find new ways to get your child excited about stories and books. See how you can set them up for a lifetime of reading.

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Positive Communication (Getting Your Child to Listen)

Discover strategies to improve speaking and listening skills at home, including helping your child to express their emotions.

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Discover and Grow

Get your child excited about nature, science and the world around them through practical exploration and discovery.

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123 Go and play!

Explore numbers, patterns and shapes and make simple games and activities to help your child develop a love of maths.

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English and Maths
Courses for parents, grandparents and carers of primary-aged children

How Children English at School

10 week course to help support your child’s learning and explore how English is taught in schools.

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How Children Learn Maths at School

10 week course to help support your child’s learning and discover the maths strategies used in schools.

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Additional Support
Courses for parents, grandparents and carers of primary-aged children

Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs

A 5 week course exploring how to explore SEND children at home

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Supporting Children at School

12 week course aimed at those interested in volunteering in school, becoming a teaching assistant or working in childcare.

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Returning to Work

Information, advice and guidance to support you to build an up to date CV, get help with job searching and prepare for interviews.

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Many courses have a free crèche available, let by highly experienced, qualified staff.
See our booking system for the full list of current courses
Make an enquiry or make a referral
If you're a local school, childcare setting or early years provider interested in working with us, click here for more information.

[The thing I liked best was…] That’s its a safe space for parents. I learnt about new books and remembered the things my dad played with me. I built confidence to read books to my baby and I love the pouch I made with songs so I can have a routine singing children’s songs and rhymes with him.

I just want to say how lovely my tutor, Lucie, is and how welcome she made me feel. She’s had amazing ideas for me to use at home with my two children. I really hope she’s back for more courses in the new year. I’ll sign up straight away!

My tutor creates an environment of trust, helps us build confidence as human beings and parents, makes you feel you can do it.

[Since doing my Family Learning course] I’ve been doing a Level 2 Business Admin course through York Learning. I’ve already passed two assignments for that, and I’m hoping to pass it by September so when my child goes to school full time I’ll be able to get myself a job.

[The best thing about the course] was that reading a book with my children has become interesting. I love the spinner challenge and story cube that Sally introduced us to.