Guide to services and activities for families in Bolton
January - April 2025
Stay and Play
Stay and play with your child 0 - 5 years with free activities that include messy, sensory and free play - indoor and outdoor. Term time only.
| Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10am - 11am | Farnworth Family Hub |
| Monday | 1pm - 2pm | Alexandra Family Hub |
| Tuesday | 10am - 11am | Harvey Start Well Centre |
| Tuesday | 1.00 - 2.00pm | Harvey Start Well Centre |
| Tuesday | 1pm - 2pm | Great Lever Family Hub |
| Wednesday | 9.30am - 11am | Harvey Start Well Centre |
| Wednesday | 1pm - 2pm | Harvey Start Well Centre |
| Wednesday | 10am - 11.30am | Alexandra Family Hub |
| Wednesday | 1pm - 2pm | Tonge Family Hub |
| Thursday | 10am - 11am | Bright Meadows Family Hub |
| Thursday | 1pm - 2pm | Oldhams Start Well Family Hub |
| Thursday | 1.30pm - 2.30pm | The Hub at Westhoughton |
| Friday | 10.00 - 11.30am | Sutton Community Centre |
Parents and Tots
Stay and play groups for parents with children aged 0 - 4 years. Bilingual practitioners will be present for those non-English speaking parents with south Asian ethnic backgrounds. Sessions organised by The Flowhesion Foundation. Term time only.
| Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10am - 12 noon | Oxford Grove Family Hub |
| Friday | 10am - 12 noon | Great Lever Family Hub |
For more information contact Aisha Khan by phone 07878 989613 or email: aisha.khan@flowhesionfoundation.org.uk
SEND Stay and Play
Details of SEND Play and Stay, as well as other information to support families can be found on the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities page.
Shake, Rattle and Roll
A fun and active music and movement session for 0-5s.
| Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th January and 3rd, 10th February | 9.30 - 10.15am | Kearsley Woodbridge College |
| Monday 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th January and 3rd, 10th February | 1.30 - 2.15pm | Tonge Family Hub |
| Wednesday 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th January and 5th, 12th February | 10.00 - 10.45am | Bright Meadows Family Hub |
Little Bats Stay and Play
Stay and play the forest school way. A 10 week course to build confidence for your tot to play in nature. Outdoor sessions for 1 - 5 years. Advanced booking required. To book, visit www.littlebatslearning.org/sessions/ or call 07818 925678.
| Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10.00 - 11.30am | Oldhams Start Well Centre |
| Monday | 1.00 - 2.30pm | Bright Meadows Family Hub |
| Friday | 10.00 - 11.30am | Harvey Start Well Centre |
| Friday | 1.00 - 2.30pm | Great Lever Family Hub |
Nature Club for Tots
A fun drop-in for 1 – 3 year olds. Call Cath on 07740 419183 for more details. For more information, contact The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside on 07395 243061 or email rireland@lancswt.org.uk. Term time only.
| Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10am - 11am | Oldham’s Family Hub |
| Tuesday | 1pm - 2pm | Oxford Grove Family Hub |
| Thursday | 10am - 11am | Alexandra Family Hub |
Summer Activities - Bolton Start Well at Home
Take a look at our Facebook page to find out for more information on additional activities during the summer.
18-Month Developmental Check for Children in Bolton
Public Health Nursing and Bolton Start Well are launching a development check for all 18-month-old children in Bolton that don’t already have support from their Public Health Nursing team.
Currently, all babies and young children are offered a wellbeing check by the Public Health Nursing Service (Health Visitors) at 9 months and 2 years plus. We are pleased to let you know that we are now able to offer an additional check at 18-months for all children not currently receiving this.
The 18-month-old development check will:
- Follow on from your child’s 9 to 12-month check.
- Be carried out by a qualified Early Years Practitioner with a wealth of experience in child development and supporting families.
- Take place in your home (unless this is not convenient for you).
It is an opportunity to review with you, your child’s:
- Social, emotional, and behavioural development.
- Communication and language development.
- General development.
- Any other concerns you may have.
The development check will be shared with your specialist Public Health Nurse (Health Visitor).
You’ll receive an invitation to take up the offer of an 18-month-old development check from a Start Well Early Years Practitioner by letter or telephone from the dates above.
This check is being completed in line with what other Local Authorities in Greater Manchester currently offer.