Baby College UK and researcher Alice Bowmer (Goldsmiths) are looking for Family Hubs interested in a small, evaluated pilot of 10-week baby learning classes, starting from January to April 2027 onwards.
The evidence: The Little Seed Project worked with 124 parent-infant pairs in six children’s centres in Sandwell and Reading, where more than two-thirds of families lived below the poverty threshold. It found promising gains in babies’ early language, and families who attended more gained more. Parents also reported benefits for their wellbeing, bonding and understanding of their baby’s development.
What the pilot involves:
- Classes for babies aged four to nine months
- A trained Baby College class leader runs the classes in your hub
- Alice helps you recruit families and supports a member of your staff
- You agree the measures you want to track, such as attendance and completion
- Parents take home simple, research-based activities, which supports the home learning environment
Where: We are especially keen to hear from hubs near Didcot, Bedford, Reading, Banbury and Trafford, and have trained class leaders in many other areas too. Sandwell Changes already commissions Baby College classes.
Get in touch: Email Bea Waterfield at bea@babycollege.co.uk
