Award-winning Huddersfield-based Portland Nurseries Group are now offering free parent and child classes within their nursery settings.

The classes are a range of fun, friendly, educational and interactive programmes to help support children’s development and parent wellbeing.

They include everything from baby sensory, to wellbeing activities, music and movement sessions, craft clubs and much more.

The sessions are open to families in the wider community, as well as families whose children currently attend the nurseries.

Led by passionate, qualified and experienced educators, the classes take place in the well-designed nursery environments and are intended to support parents and carers who are looking to connect with their children and other families. 

Managing director Anastasia Murphy said: “These classes are another way for us to support the Portland Nurseries’ families and those within the local community.

“Each session is designed to strengthen parents’ knowledge about the importance of play and how to offer children sensory stimulation and social confidence.

“They give people the opportunity to share experiences and advice, and become part of a supportive community.

“We also recognise that the cost-of-living crisis is making budgets tighter this year and want to do our part to support local families.”

A parent, who attended the sessions, said: “Being on maternity leave can be a lonely time, so it was lovely to come along to this session and have somewhere to entertain my baby during these cold winter months and meet other parents and the nursery team.

“I love that she has the opportunity to play with different toys and learn how to interact with other babies and adults.

“It’s also been great to get a glimpse of what experiences will be available to her when I finish my maternity leave and she starts nursery in a few months.”

Portland Nurseries was founded in 1991 by childcare pioneer Rosemary Murphy and set the standard for childcare in Huddersfield – and across the UK – as Rosemary used her first-hand experience at Portland to establish the charity National Day Nursery Association, for which she earned an OBE.

The Portland Nurseries group, which has six settings across Edgerton, Birkby, Bradley, Lindley and Shelf – all rated Good and Outstanding is now run by Rosemary’s children, brother and sister Anastasia Murphy and Michael Murphy and offers children an education from birth to five-years-old and after school and holiday care for four-11-year-olds.

For more information visit: https://www.portlandnurseries.co.uk/parents/parent-child-classes