Baby & Toddler Classes
Play, Connect & Grow
Baby & Toddler Classes in South Manchester
The Bird Box’s Baby and Toddler programme uses a Montessori-inspired approach to support families to PLAY, CONNECT and GROW at a pace that feels right for them.
Based in Whalley Range, we offer inclusive, low-stimulation play sessions for babies, toddlers and their grown-ups.
Each session is designed to help build friendships, strengthen parent-child communication and encourage happy and healthy growth and independence for our little ones.
We are a growing community of families with young children - come and join us!
NEST
For pre-crawling babies (0-9 months)
A women-only space for mums with pre-crawling babies to relax and connect with others. Gentle, calm, and supportive - designed for those precious early weeks and months.
What to expect:
A home from home for you and your baby
Montessori resources to explore with your little one
Creative table for mindful making
Song time
Tea & coffee provided
Experienced facilitators
Accessible toilets and baby change facilities
Duration 1hour 15 minutes, term time only
HATCHLINGS
For babies on the move (9 months to 2 years)
Montessori-inspired sessions for mobile babies up to age 2. Designed to promoted gross and fine motor-skill development. Exploratory, sensory-rich, and joyful.
You and your baby can expect:
Age-appropriate Montessori resources for your little one(s) to explore
Welcome circle
Child-led exploration and play
Song time for all to enjoy
Experienced facilitators
Accessible toilets and baby change facilities
Duration 1 hour, term time only
FLEDGLINGS
Confident walkers (2-4 years)
A progressive Montessori-inspired parent and toddler session. Focused on preschool readiness and practical life skills. Developing skills for independence, language, and friendships.
What to expect:
Welcome circle
A themed PLAY cycle which includes children preparing their own healthy snacks. Our PLAY cycle supports the following areas of learning:
Mathematics
Literacy (including language development)
Cultural (including geography and science)
Movement (Gross Motor)
Creative (Process led)
Sensorial
Practical Life (Fine motor)
Tidy up time
Story and songs
Experienced facilitators
Accessible toilets for adults and toddlers
Duration 1 hour 15 minutes, term time only
Our Parents Say…
“Unlike other parent and baby groups in the area, alongside activities for your children, The Bird Box has a real focus on parents building connections with each other which is invaluable.
The space they have created is beautiful, safe and a joyful place to be, thank you.”
“I found the sessions were an hour of calm to not only slow down and connect with my toddler, but also engage with other parents and expand my support network of other like-minded mums.”
“The Bird Box sessions have been an eye opening experience to us in being resourceful and creative with play and learning opportunities to go alongside day to day tasks and chores.
We learn to appreciate quality stimulation and 'less is more'.”
Which Baby Group is Right For Me?
At The Bird Box we follow each child’s unique developmental timeline.
The ages for our sessions are a guide - get in touch if you would like any guidance.
We support families to move through the programme at a pace that feels right for them and their child/ren.
What is Montessori?
Montessori education uses a child-centred approach; following each unique child's developmental timeline.
It focuses on self-directed activity and hands-on learning, supporting children to "do it myself".
The environment is calm and the resources are carefully considered to meet the group's developmental needs.