Stay and Play

What is Stay and Play?

Stay and Play sessions provide the opportunity for any parent’s to have a fun time playing with their child in a safe and friendly setting – no need for an invitation, parents can drop in to any one of the Stay and Play sessions running in any Flying Start area.

The sessions are held in Flying Start bases and local community halls and are open to all Flying Start families. Qualified, experienced staff offer a range of activities for you to take part in with your child exploring every area of development.

Play, sing, dance or read with your child and treat yourselves to spending time together.

This image shows a mother, father, son and daughter playing by a climbing frame. The son is swinging on the climbing frame bars

Bring your baby or toddler along, join in the fun and enjoy the opportunity to meet with other parents. Share ideas and discover new ways to play using low cost and even no cost resources.

Many of the settings have outdoor play areas and from time to time activities such as visits to the park, beach and local places of interest will be arranged so that we can explore together.

Families attending the sessions are offered the opportunity to attend The Parent Nurturing Programme – which has free crèche provision – as well as access to information about other Flying Start projects and local services.

What parents say

‘I get ideas for play; I can mix with other mums and enjoy watching my son have fun’


‘My child mixed with other children, had lots of messy play and I lots of ideas/inspiration for play at home’


‘I have benefited because now I can have piece of mind when she goes to nursery. I know she is going to get on with other children and that she is good at making friends and sharing’


‘The staff are so friendly and welcoming, they have given me the confidence to keep coming and also to join other groups’