Stay and Play sessions are a big hit with parents and children in York
With over 10,000 visits in the past year, it’s clear that children and parents are loving York’s Stay and Play sessions.
Explore York – the independent organisation which runs libraries and archives in York – delivers the weekly sessions for parents and carers with children aged 0-4 years in partnership with City of York Council.
With childcare professionals on hand to support, the fun, friendly sessions offer a range of high-quality toys designed to help develop children’s brains through play, inspired by the principles of the NSPCC’s Look, Say, Sing, Play campaign.
Feedback from parents and carers taking part in the sessions has been overwhelming positive, with 100% of respondents saying they would recommend the sessions; 84% reporting feeling better able to access information as a result of the sessions and 83% feeling more connected to other people. People also reported that they valued the chance to access the sessions in welcoming and familiar environments, such as libraries.
Sessions are held weekly at libraries in Acomb, Clifton, Huntington, Tang Hall and York, Clifton Green Primary School and at The Place in Sanderson House.
They’re part of Early Talk for York, a pioneering programme from the council and York and Scarborough NHS Foundation Trust. This initiative aims to tackle inequality through improving the communication and language skills of children aged 0-5 years, a factor which has been shown to have long term impacts on children’s life chances, delivered in partnership with Explore York and other partners in the city.
Family Learning Childcare Workers can provide Information, Advice and Guidance to parents and carers while facilitating the sessions. Over the past year, they’ve helped families through more than 200 referrals to services such as Family Learning and local food banks
Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “I’m delighted that the Stay and Play sessions remain so popular with parents, carers and their children. Evidence shows that communication and language skills can benefit a child throughout their life and these fun, interactive sessions are a great way to encourage children’s development, while helping parents and carers form supportive connections in their local communities.”
Lyndsay Glover, Explore’s Service Developer for Children, Young People & Schools, said: “Stay and Play sessions at Explore Libraries have become a much-loved part of our offer, providing children and adults with an opportunity to connect, socialise, and play together in a safe, welcoming environment.”
The free drop-in Stay and Play sessions are held at:
Acomb Explore – Wednesdays 10am – 11:30am
Tang Hall Explore – Mondays 10:30am – 12pm
York Explore Library and Archive – Wednesdays 1pm – 2:30pm
Huntington Library – Mondays 10.00am -11.30am
Clifton Green Primary School – Thursday 9.00 -10.30am
Clifton Explore Library -Fridays 10.30am -12pm
The Place, Sanderson Community House -Tuesdays 10am to 11:30am
More information about Look Say Sing Play in York is available at www.york.gov.uk/LSSP
More information about Explore’s Stay and Play sessions is available at https://exploreyork.org.uk/family-and-children/under-5s/stay-play/