Baby College Classes since 2000

Baby College is one of the UK’s original and leading parent and baby development programmes, established in 2000. Built on scientific research and a passion for supporting families, Baby College offers high quality classes that help parents understand and support their baby’s development through play, movement and connection.

Baby College was founded by Alison Lawson, inspired by her experience supporting her two sons with dyspraxia and dyslexia. This led her to train with Sally Goddard Blythe at the Institute of Neuro-Physiological Psychology (INPP) in Chester. As a qualified teacher and neurodevelopmental practitioner, Alison developed a strong understanding of how early development shapes later learning.

Seeing a need for engaging and meaningful baby classes, Alison created a programme that brings together purposeful developmental activities with fun, multi-sensory play. Based around movement, interaction and EYFS learning, Baby College continues to support both babies and their parents, building confidence and strong foundations from the very start.

Today, Baby College is headquartered in Oxford and has a growing network of over 40 franchisees and teachers delivering hundreds of classes each week across the UK and internationally. With strong links to Oxford University, Goldsmiths, UCL and Middlesex University, Baby College continues to evolve, keeping its programme grounded in the latest research and best practice.

Our commitment to quality has been recognised through national awards and industry recognition. Baby College was named Best Baby and Toddler Class for Parents by The Independent during lockdown, achieved a 94% franchisee satisfaction score in the WorkBuzz survey, and was a finalist in both the British Franchise Awards and the ICAP awards.

Baby College Today

Meet Bea Waterfield, Baby College’s CEO. Bea joined Baby College in 2004 as a franchisee, teaching classes for 15 years across Oxfordshire. In 2015, she became the owner and franchisor, and now leads the business alongside an experienced Head Office team who support and train franchisees and teachers across the network.

Under Bea’s leadership, Baby College continues to grow while staying true to its values. The team provides ongoing training, guidance and support, reflected in a 100% score for Head Office support in the latest WorkBuzz survey. Baby College was also recognised as a finalist for the ICAP Icon Award in 2026. Bea is passionate about helping franchisees build rewarding businesses and make a real difference in their local communities.

Bea’s commitment to quality and learning extends into research. She works with the Psychology Department at Goldsmiths University as a PhD supervisor on The Little Seed Project, bringing the benefits of Baby College to under-served communities. Outside of work, Bea is a musician and a busy parent to grown-up children and stepchildren, along with a cheeky fluffy dog. Her passion is supporting and inspiring the whole Baby College family of parents, teachers and franchisees.

Drawing on her own experience as a parent, Bea understands how important it is to create a nurturing and enriching environment for both parents and children. Her warm, approachable style, combined with the expertise of the Head Office team, ensures that Baby College franchisees receive high quality support and training every step of the way.

Would you like to join the Baby College family and build a rewarding business supporting local families? With Bea’s guidance and the collective knowledge of the team, franchisees and their teachers have the opportunity to make a real and lasting difference in their communities. Together, we create welcoming spaces where parents and little ones can thrive.

What Inspires Us?

Inspiring Parents and Helping Conquer 21st Century Challenges Together

At Baby College, we understand the tough realities of modern parenting. From loneliness to overwhelming decisions, we’ve got your back. Join our welcoming classes and meet knowledgeable teachers who empower you, connect you with friends, and provide endless developmental play ideas. Our safe Facebook group, Inspiring Parents UK, offers support without adding to the strain. Conquer the challenges and find your village with Baby College. Find a class or join our community today!

Our Inspiring Teachers and Franchisees

👩‍🏫 Expertise and Warmth: Our teachers are highly trained, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a friendly, inclusive and compassionate approach to every class.

🌟 Safe and Secure: With completed safeguarding training and DBS checks, our teachers ensure a secure environment for your child.

💡 Passion for Early Years: Our teachers are dedicated to early childhood development and supporting parents delivering engaging and enriching experiences for children and parents alike.