Flying Start Groups / Services2023-03-23T11:13:47+00:00

Flying Start Luton Timetable

  • *Booking is required for some groups to guarantee a place. DROP IN’ means you do not need to book but there is risk of being turned away
  • All sessions in a centre are £1 *CASH ONLY*
  • Sessions are subject to change depending on staffing- please call/email to confirm
  • You can click on the pink titles for more info and/or to book directly on our online booking system (Dad’s group and Events)

Timetable Colour Key:

BLUE: Online group for parents YELLOW: At PARK TOWN PURPLE: At FOXCUBS GREEN: At PASTURES PINK: At FARLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE WHITE: Other venue

Click here to download the

MONDAY

Breastfeeding Café (DROP IN) AND BABY SELF WEIGHING

for pregnant parents-to-be and parents with under 2s

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am

@ CYCD– LU4 8HZ

Every week (except Holidays)

TUESDAY

Parent Baby Self Weighing for under 2 years (DROP IN)

Time: 9.15am to 11.15am

@ Farley Community Centre– LU1 5RE

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays- plus 14th March closed)

WEDNESDAY

Parent Chat at Leagrave Library Rhyme Time (DROP IN)

for parents of under 5s

Time: 9.30am to 10.45am

@ Leagrave Library– LU3 2NL

On the FIRST Wednesday of the month starting 1/3/23

THURSDAY

Parent Chat at Marsh Farm Library Rhyme Time (DROP IN)

for parents of under 5s

Time: 10am to 10.30am

@ Marsh Farm Library– LU3 3TL

On the LAST Thursday of the month starting 23/2/23

FRIDAY

Parent Baby Self Weighing for under 2 years (DROP IN)

Time: 9.30am to 12pm

@ Pastures– LU4 0PE

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays)

SATURDAY

Dad’s Saturday Group*

for under 8s

Time: 10am to 11.30am

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Dates: 25 March, 22 April, 20 May, 24 June and 22 July

BOOKING REQUIRED

Baby Rhyme and Sign*

for parents of 6 to 18 months

Time: 10am to 10.45am

@ Foxcubs– LU1 1TZ

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays)

BOOKING REQUIRED

Early Days (Drop in) for under 1s- breastfeeding support available

Time: 9.45am to 11.15am

@ Farley Community Centre– LU1 5RE

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays- plus 14th March closed)

Sensory Play for Under 1s* for non-walkers

Time: 10am to 11am

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays)

BOOKING REQUIRED

Early Days* for under 1s- breastfeeding support available

Time: 10.30am to 11.30am

@ Foxcubs– LU1 1TZ

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays)

BOOKING REQUIRED!

Breastfeeding Café (DROP IN)

for pregnant parents-to-be and parents with under 2s

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am

@ Pastures– LU4 0PE

Every week (except Holidays)

Pregnancy Club (3 week course on zoom)*

for pregnant women and their partners

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am

Date:11 to 25 March

Little Explorers* for 1 to 3 years

Time: 10.15am to 11.15am

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays)

*1 parent to 1 child please unless special circumstances*

BOOKING REQUIRED

Sensory play for under 1s* for non-walkers

Time: 10am to 11am

@ Foxcubs– LU1 1TZ

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays)

BOOKING REQUIRED

Sensory Play for Under 1s* for non-walkers

Time: 10.30am to 11.30am

@ CYCD- LU4 8HZ

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays) *Starting 22 Feb*

Keeping Baby Safe Workshop on Zoom* for expecting & new parents (< 3 months)

Time: 4pm to 6pm

Date: 23 March

Play and Learn* for over 1s

Time: 10am to 11am

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays)

*1 parent to 1 child please unless special circumstances*

BOOKING REQUIRED from 24 Feb

Starting Solids NEXT STEPS Parent Group Zoom Session*

for parents of 6 to 12 months

Time: 1pm to 2.30pm

Date: 17 April

Baby Group (Drop In)

for non-walkers

Time: 10am to 11am

Every week starting 24 Jan

@ Pastures- LU4 0PE

Breastfeeding Café (DROP IN)

for pregnant parents-to-be and parents with under 2s

Time: 1pm to 3pm

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Every week (except Holidays)

Parent Chat (Drop in) for parents of under 5s

Time: 10am to 11.30am

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Every week from (except Half Term and Holidays)

Keeping Baby Safe Workshop on Zoom* for expecting & new parents (< 3 months)

Time: 12pm to 2pm

Date: 12 Dec

and

Date: 15 May

Time: 10am to 12pm

Parenting Puzzle (4-week Course)* on Zoom

for parents of 1 to 5 years

Time: 1pm to 3pm

Date: 28 Feb to 21 March

Fussy Eating Parent Group Zoom Session*

for parents of over 1s

Time: 1pm to 2.30pm

Date: 19 April

Luton Bumps on Zoom (Midwife Q+A)* for pregnant women

Time: 12.30pm to 1.30pm

Dates: 10 Feb (fortnightly)

Early Days* for under 1s- breastfeeding support available

Time: 10.30am to 11.30am

@ Pastures- LU4 0PE

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays)

BOOKING REQUIRED!

Music and Rhyme time with Jolly Beans for under 5s (DROP IN)

Time: 2pm to 2.45pm

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays)

*1 parent to 1 child please unless special circumstances*

Starting Solids Parent Group Zoom Session*

for parents of 3 to 6 months

Time: 1pm to 2.30pm

Date: 26 April and 17 May

ESOL for Pregnancy (6-week course)*

for pregnant women with limited English

Time: 5.30pm to 7pm

Date: 27 Feb to 3 April

Luton Bumps on Zoom (Midwife Q+A)* for pregnant women and partners

Time: 7pm to 8pm

Dates: 21 March (fortnightly)

Toilet Training Parent Group Zoom Session*

for parents of over 18 months

Time: 1pm to 2.30pm

Date: 10 May

Mindful Tots* (4-week group)

for parents of over 18 months

Time: 1.30pm to 2.15pm

Date: 8 to 29 March

@ Foxcubs- LU1 1TZ

BOOKING REQUIRED

MONDAY

Breastfeeding Café (Drop in)

for pregnant parents-to-be and parents with under 2s

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am

@ CYCD– LU4 8HZ

Every week from 23 Jan (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks)

Parent Chat at Leagrave Library Rhyme Time (DROP IN) for parents of under 5s

Time: 9.30am to 10.45am

@ Leagrave Library– LU3 2NL

On the FIRST Wednesday of the month starting 1/3/23

Parent Chat at Marsh Farm Library Rhyme Time (DROP IN) for parents of under 5s

Time: 9.30am to 10.45am

@ Marsh Farm Library– LU3 3TL

On the LAST Thursday of the month starting 23/2/23

Baby Rhyme and Sign (6 to 18 months)*

Time: 10am to 10.45am

@ Foxcubs– LU1 1TZ

Every week (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks)

Keeping Baby Safe Workshop on Zoom*

for expecting & new parents (<3 months)

Time: 12pm to 2pm

Date: 12 Dec

and

Date: 15 May

Time: 10am to 12pm

Starting Solids NEXT STEPS Parent Group Zoom Session*

for parents of 6 to 12 months

Time: 1pm to 2.30pm

Date: 17 April

TUESDAY

Parent Baby Self-Weighing (Drop in)

for under 2s

Time: 9.15am to 11.15am

@ Farley Community Centre– LU1 5RE

Every Week (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks and 14 March)

Early Days (Drop in)

for under 1s – breastfeeding support available

Time: 9.45am to 11.15am

@ Farley Community Centre– LU1 5RE

Every Week (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks and 14 March)

Sensory Play for Under 1s* (£1 per family) for non-walkers

Time: 10am to 11am

@ Foxcubs– LU1 1TZ

Every week (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks)

Early Days* for under 1s

breastfeeding support available

Time: 1.30pm to 2.30pm

@ Pastures Way- LU4 0PE

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays)

BOOKING REQUIRED

Early Days* for under 1s

breastfeeding support available

Time: 10.30am to 11.30am

@ Foxcubs– LU1 1TZ

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays)

BOOKING REQUIRED

Mindful Tots (£1)* 4-week pilot group for over months

Time: 1.30pm to 2.15pm

@ Foxcubs- LU1 1TZ

8 to 29 March

Little Explorers*

for parents of 1 to 3 years

Time: 10.15am to 11.15am

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Every Week (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks)

Music and Rhyme time with Jolly Beans (Drop in)

for parents of under 5s

Time: 2pm to 2.45pm

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Every Week (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks)

WEDNESDAY

Sensory Play for Under 1s* (£1 per family) for non-walkers

Time: 10am to 11am

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Every week (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks)

Breastfeeding Café (Drop in)

for pregnant parents-to-be and parents with under 2s

Time: 1pm to 3pm

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Every week (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks)

Starting Solids Parent Group Zoom Session*

for parents of 3 to 6 months

Time: 1pm to 2.30pm

Dates: 26 April and 17 May

Fussy Eating Parent Group Zoom Session*

for parents of over 1s

Time: 1pm to 2.30pm

Date: 19 April

Toilet Training Parent Group Zoom Session*

for parents of over 18 months

Time: 1pm to 2.30pm

Date: 10 May

ESOL for Pregnancy (6-Week Zoom Course)*

for pregnant women with limited English

Time: 5.30pm to 7pm

Dates: 27 Feb to 3 April

Keeping Baby Safe Workshop on Zoom*

for expecting & new parents (<3 months)

Time: 4pm to 6pm

Date: 23 March

Pregnancy Club * (3 week course on zoom)

for pregnant women and their partners

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am

Date: 11 to 25 March

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Pastures Baby Group (Drop in) for non-walkers

Time: 10am to 11am

@ Pastures Way

Every Week (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks)- starting 24 Jan!

Parenting Puzzle 4-week Course* for parents of 1 to 5 years

Time: 1pm to 3pm

@ Pastures Way

28 Feb to 21 March

Parent Baby Self Weighing (Drop in) for under 2 years

Time: 9.30am to 12pm

@ Pastures Way

Every Week (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks)

Breastfeeding Cafe (Drop in)

for pregnant parents-to-be and parents with under 2s

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am

@ Pastures– LU4 0PE

Every week (except Half Term and Holidays)

Play and Learn (Drop in –£1 per family) for over 1s

Time: 10am to 11am

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Every Week (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks)

Parent Chat Drop In for parents of under 5s

Time: 10am to 11.30am

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Every Week (except Half Term/ Holiday breaks)

Luton Bumps on Zoom (Midwife Q+A)* for pregnant women and partners

Time: 7pm to 8pm

Dates: 21 Feb, 7 and 21 March

Luton Bumps on Zoom (Midwife Q+A)* for pregnant women

Time: 12.30pm to 1.30pm

Dates: 10 Feb

SATURDAY

Dad’s Saturday Group*

for under 8s

Time: 10am to 11.30am

@ Park Town– LU1 3DU

Dates: 25 March, 22 April, 20 May, 24 June and 22 July

* = Booking Required

Venue addresses:

  • Flying Start Centre in Foxcubs Nursery on Runley Road (LU1 1TZ)
  • Flying Start Centre in Park Town Centre on Bailey Street (LU1 3DU)
  • Flying Start Centre in Pastures Way Nursery on Pastures Way (LU4 0PE)
  • Farley Community Centre on Delphine Close (LU1 5RE)
  • CYCD- 94-106 Leagrave Road (LU4 8HZ)
  • Chantry Primary- Tomlinson Avenue (LU4 0QP)

Booking:

As well as emailing flyingstart@eyalliance.org.uk or calling 01582 368245 to book, you can also submit a parent group enquiry here

Professionals can also refer families they are working with via our online referral form here

An outline of all the services can be found below:

EXTRA: Solihull Online (e-courses for parents of children 0 to 18, including those with SEND) Visit: www.inourplace.co.uk using Access Code: HATTERS

Pregnancy Groups/ Services

English language classes for pregnancy (ESOL): 6 week course for those with English as an additional language to learn how to express themselves in English to speak to midwifes/ health professionals, gaining the confidence to express their own wishes, talk about feelings, ask questions and offer suggestions

Pregnancy Club 6 week course on zoom: 6 week antenatal programme to help support pregnant women and their partners with all aspects of having a baby

Luton Bumps on Zoom: A fortnightly informal get-together for Luton Mums. Questions and Answers with our Flying Start Midwife and Staff

Keeping Baby Safe Zoom Workshop: What every pregnant or new parent needs to know in order to keep baby safe – offered as a 2 hour online zoom group session with Safe at Home

Baby Groups/Services (In Person)

Early Days: for parents of under 1s to self-weigh baby and join in an informal baby group- encouraging communication between parents and getting advice from staff

Sensory Play for Under 1s: (for parents of non-walkers as mat-based activity) This weekly hour-long face to face group encourages quality time for parents and baby- exploring various objects and using various senses

Parent Baby Self- Weighing: (for parents of under 2 years) Opportunity to self-weigh your baby on our scales. Please note this is not a health visitor clinic, a member of staff will be on hand to show you how to use the scales and how you can record your baby’s weight, however if you have any health concerns about your baby please contact our duty Health Visitor on 0300 555 0606 or text parentline 07505331866 and they will be able to help. *NEW Drop in- first come first served- Baby Self-Weighing Luton Session Timetable *

Baby Rhyme and Sign: (for parents of 6 to 18 months) Nursery rhymes and action songs are great fun and also help stimulate language development. Flying Start’s Sing and sign group combines the benefits of both music and signing.

Mindful Tots: (for parents of 18 months to 2 years) – NEW group being trialled- a relaxing mindfulness session with some low-level poses for the children (similar to yoga)

Breastfeeding Café: Support for mothers breastfeeding. In addition to the 3 Breastfeeding Cafes in Luton shown on our timetable, Bedford/Central Bedfordshire have Baby Brasseries you are welcome to, find out more here

ESOL Stepping Stones: Esol Stepping Stones is a mother and baby group that supports English language skills through play and learn activities. The programme is for mothers with limited English that would like to develop their English language with a focus on health and parenting information. Suitable for mums and babies 0-1 years.

Toddler/Preschool Groups/Services

Music and Rhyme time with Jolly Beans (for parents of under 5s): 45 mins of making new friends and learning lots of skills through music, movement and different instruments *NEW Drop in- first come first served*

Play and Learn for over 1s: Our play and learn (stay and play) sessions are opportunities for parents/carers to come along and meet other people with young children. A variety of age appropriate activities are available, such as messy play, soft play, stories and rhymes and lots more!

Little Explorers (for parents of 1 to 3s): these sessions are opportunities for parents/carers to come along and meet other people with young children. A variety of age appropriate activities are available, such as messy play, soft play, stories and rhymes and lots more!

Parent Chat Drop in: For parents of children under 5 years old. Our friendly Community Link Worker will be available to tell you about Flying Start sessions as well as to answer any questions you have about parenting topics such as developmental milestones, age-appropriate behaviour and family relationships. They can also signpost you to other Luton services as appropriate. No need to book as a drop in with 10 minute one to one slots available.

Zoom sessions for parents on Starting Solids, Sleep, Toileting, Fussy Eating, Oral Health, Childhood Illnesses and Understanding Behaviour: These workshops will be in a relaxed style- giving a great opportunity for parents to talk with others, share experiences, and support each other whilst getting some parenting support and advice. *NEW- VIDEO VERSIONS TO WATCH IN YOUR OWN TIME- COMING SOON!*

HENRY Healthy Lifestyles on Zoom: This 8/9 week programme supports parents in ensuring a healthy start for their child. Henry helps to overcome those mealtime challenges so parents can have a happy and healthy family life

Parenting Puzzle on Zoom: This 4/5 week programme supports parents of babies and young children with a focus on the importance of attachment, empathy, positive discipline, play and communication

Dad’s Saturday Group: Monthly group for fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, uncles or brothers who would like to share some quality time with their child or relative under 8. Click here to book

The Early Years Alliance are also running sessions nationally (click on the name for more information/to book):

  • Baby and Me – 5 week zoom group focusing on topics such as brain development, sensory play, and positive mental health and keeping your baby safe.
  • Parent Connect – These are one-off online events providing wellbeing and other advice. They support children’s return to, or introduction to, early education.
  • Family Corner – Various workshops for parents