Early years free activities
Chorley Council has funded a wide range of early years development sessions to support babies, young children and their families across the borough. These sessions are designed to give children the best possible start in life, supporting their development, confidence and wellbeing during the vital early years.
Families can access a variety of free activities, including baby sensory sessions, sling wearing support and school readiness programmes. The sessions are delivered by experienced local providers and are open to Chorley parents and carers looking for fun, supportive and engaging opportunities for their children. Please see the table below for details of the activities available, please reach out to provider directly for more information.
Baby Sensory Chorley
1 free 5/6 week term to 13 customers in either our New Year term (January to February) or Easter term (February to March)
Location: Wow Centre Chorley, Ackhurst Road, PR7 1NL
Dates: New Year term – Monday 5 Jan to Friday 13 Feb (6 weeks)
Easter term – 23 Feb to Friday 27 March (5 weeks)
Times: Various times and days as we run Monday to Friday, customers can choose on messaging.
Central Lancashire Slings CIC
Weekly free drop-in sling library sessions for families to learn about safe babywearing. 4 weeks free sling/carrier hire for all families
Location: Duke Street Family Hub, 51 Duke St, Chorley PR7 3DU
Dates: Thursdays, weekly. starting 8 Jan until 26 March (inclusive)
Times: 1pm till 2:30pm
Home-Start Central Lancashire
Budding Spirits’
Inspiring Brilliance in Little Leaders
Early Years and Parent Group
Location: Home-Start Central Lancashire,112a Market street, Chorley (Entrance at the rear of the building on Fleet Street car park)
Dates: Sessions x 8
16 January
23 January
30 January
6 February
13 February
27 February
6 March
13 March
Times: All sessions will be held from 9.30am till 11am
Rhythmicality – The Wellbeing Experience
Thursdays - Baby Group - 2 terms
Fridays - Family Group - 2 terms
Location: Tatton Gardens Community Centre, Windermere Rd, Chorley PR6 0FJ
Dates:
Baby Group 9.45am till10.30am
5 week course – 8 January to 5 February
5 week course 26 February to 26 March
Family Group 11am till 11.45am
6 week course 9 January to 13 February
5 week course 27 February to 27 March
Wildwood Days CIC
Weekly forest school baby group on Tuesday afternoons
Location: Wildwood Days, Lodge Bank, Brinscall, PR6 8QU
Dates:
6, 13, 20 and 27 January.
3, 10 and 24 February.
3, 10, 13, 17 and 24 March
Times: 1pm till 2.30pm
Hushabye Hands
Baby and Toddler Sign
Mummy and Me
Family Sign
Daddy and Me
Location: Unit 5, 60a Preston Road, Whittle-le-Woods PR6 7HH
Dates: Wednesdays and Saturdays term time
Times:
9.30am till 10.15am
10.45am till 11.30am
9.30am till 10.15am
10.45am till 11.30am
Quality Sport Holiday Clubs Ltd
The group will offer fun, engaging sports sessions designed specifically for preschool-aged children with parent participation. Each session will focus on developing fundamental movement skills such as balance, coordination, and teamwork through playful games and age-appropriate sports activities.
Location: St George’s Primary School, Carr Lane, Chorley PR7 3JU
Dates:
20, 27 January
3, 10, 17, 24 February
3, 10, 17, 24 March
Times:Tuesday mornings 9.15am till 10.30am
SVP Chorley Buddies
Pre-school sessions to develop independence, fine motor skills and school readiness.
Location: Buttermere Community Centre, Buttermere Ave, Chorley PR7 2JG
Dates: Wednesday 4 February to Wednesday 25 March 2026
Times:9.30am till 11.30am
Petite Therapy
Petite Therapy is delivering a series of free school-readiness workshops across Chorley nurseries and schools. These interactive 2-hour sessions support parents and early years staff to better understand the developmental milestones children need to be ready for nursery and school.
What the workshop covers:
- the key developmental milestones linked to school readiness
- how movement, balance, coordination and posture support attention and learning
- building body awareness to support independence (e.g. dressing, toileting, sitting)
- supporting emotional regulation and recognising body cues
- pre-writing readiness activities and early hand skills
- simple, everyday strategies parents can use at home to support their child
Location: Various school locations across the borough
Dates: to be confirmed.
Times: to be confirmed.
Inspire Youth Zone
FREE support group for young parents who are 25 and under. This initiative is to build a community and support system to enable young parents to meet new people, learn new skills and grow as new parents! We will be hosting lots of fun activities from music and messy play to story time and baby sensory
Location: Inspire Youth Zone, Chapel St, Chorley
Dates: Thursdays
Times: 11am til 1pm
TinyTalk Chorley and Surrounding Areas
A free 6 week half term of baby signing classes in Adlington. TinyTalk is the leading provider of baby sign language classes across the UK. The sessions include singing, signing and sensory play with a focus on communication skills and bonding. Our sessions also have dedicated social time with refreshments provided for grownups and the opportunity to make friends.
Each participant will receive a free signing pack on completion of the half term that will enable them to continue learning at home. This pack includes 150 signs and a tracking sheet to monitor your child’s progress.
Suitable for children 0-2 years
Location: Adlington Juniors Football Club, Adlington
Dates: Mondays
Times: 11:15am til 12:15pm