Babyzone has launched in Chorley, introducing a new early year’s support offer for families with young children.
The programme is being delivered at Inspire Youth Zone on Chapel Street, which was chosen for its accessibility, including strong transport links and facilities that support children and families with additional needs.
It aims to strengthen support for families with children aged 0 to five, promoting school readiness and making support accessible to all, with a particular focus on communities who may need it most.
Babyzone does not replace existing early years services funded by the council, such as Homestart on Market Street in Chorley. It builds on the support already available, providing additional opportunities for families to access guidance, activities, and early years development programmes.
It consists of different zones for learning and play and offers free classes and activities designed to support children’s development and give parents practical tools they can use at home.
Key programmes delivered through Babyzone include:
- Babyzone Everyday Maths – an early numeracy pathway developed with Stanford University, helping families make maths part of everyday routines. Early maths ability at age five is one of the strongest predictors of later academic achievement.
- Babyzone NEST (Name, Empathise, Self-regulate, Team-up) – supporting children’s social and emotional development through simple, practical routines shaped by parent feedback.
- Reading and literacy sessions delivered in partnership with BookTrust and the National Literacy Trust.
Sessions will run every Tuesday during term time until Tuesday 14 July. The programme will pause over the summer and reopen on Tuesday 1 September.
The council has contributed £25,000 to the project to support families and improve outcomes for young children. This work supports the council’s corporate priorities for 2025/26 and contributes to achieving the corporate priorities for 2026/27, focusing on improving early years outcomes and ensuring children have the best possible start in life.
Cabinet Member for Early Intervention, Councillor Beverley Murray, said: “Supporting our youngest residents and their families is a key priority for us.
“We know there is a real need to strengthen early years support and improve school readiness in Chorley, and Babyzone will help us do just that.
“It provides an inclusive, welcoming space where parents, carers and children can access support, build confidence and prepare for the transition to school.
“I want to thank Councillor Margaret Franace, who has been a strong advocate for this project and has played an important role in helping bring it forward.
“The introduction of Babyzone reflects the council’s commitment to investing in services that support families, reduce inequalities and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
CEO of Babyzone, George Looker, said: “I would like to thank Chorley Council for everything they have done to make Babyzone a reality.
“When we first discussed this project, we didn’t know if we would be able to bring it to life, so to see it open and already supporting so many families is incredibly rewarding.
“The response on opening day was outstanding, with 70 families and more than 160 people joining us, making it one of the strongest launches we’ve seen across our network. That reflects both the clear need in the community and the trust the council has helped build.
“The council’s £25,000 contribution marks an important milestone as our first hub to be part-funded by a local authority, and we’re proud to be working in partnership with the council. We’re excited to build on this success and continue supporting families together.”
You can find out more about what Babyzone offers at babyzone.org.uk