As children grow there are often new and different challenges. We offer lots of support to help your little ones get ready for school.

Children don’t come with an instruction manual, and being a parent can be the hardest job in the world but also the most rewarding.

These 4 workshops can help parents feel more confident in how they deal with family life and have a greater understanding of their children’s feelings and needs and how their children communicate these.

After completing the workshops, parents will have an increased toolkit of parenting strategies to support their child’s development and school readiness.

Workshops are delivered one-to-one via a WhatsApp video call with an Early Years and Family Hub practitioner. You can choose a day and time to suit you.

All parents with children aged 1 to 4 years old can attend the workshops.

To sign up for the workshops or to find out more, call us on 01642 579120, then choose the option for your nearest Family Hub. If you’re not sure, check out where all of our Hubs are located.

You can also email us at earlyyearsandfamilyhubsallocations@middlesbrough.gov.uk and we’ll give you a call back.

90% of your child’s brain growth happens before the age of 5. Right from the start, all those little moments you spend together with your child are building their brain.

Every smile, cuddle, chat and game makes a huge difference, helping them learn to communicate, develop confidence, and make friends.

Find out more about how little moments together can help your child.

Playful Parenting highlights the importance of play and enjoying time together playing with your little one.

Two, 2-hour workshops for parents and carers of children under 5 years old. Refreshments and take-home resources provided.

You need to come to both workshops…they fit together like a puzzle.

Maximum 12 places available on each workshop:

  • Develop your understanding of the importance of play and of building attachment through play
  • Increase your understanding of child development, the brain, attachment and how play supports healthy development
  • Increase your confidence using child-centred play skills to support development and use cheap/free resources to create quality play opportunities
  • Explore positive approaches to discipline and boundary setting for your little one
  • Meet other parents & carers and share experiences together

Session 1  

  • What is Play?
  • Happy memories of play
  • Benefits of play
  • Types of play

Session 2

  • Child-led play
  • Making everyday life more playful
  • Patterns of play
  • Setting boundaries

Summer 1: June – July 2026 timetable

  • Abingdon Family Hub – 8 and 15 June, 12.30pm – 2.30pm. Contact 01642 579120 (option 1)
  • Hemlington Family Hub – 26 June and 3 July, 9.30am – 11.30am. Contact 01642 579120 (option 2)
  • Park End Family Hub – 3 and 10 July, 9.30am – 11.30am. Contact 01642 579120 (option 4)
  • Thorntree Family Hub – 9 and 16 July, 9.30am – 11.30am. Contact 01642 579120 (option 5)
  • West Middlesbrough Family Hub – 22 June and 2 July, 12.30pm – 2.30pm. Contact 01642 579120 (option 6)

Book on a workshop today by calling the Family Hub you wish to attend the workshop at or email us at middlesbroughfamilyhubs@middlesbrough.gov.uk and someone will be in touch.

Some arguing and conflict between parents and carers is often a normal part of everyday life. But frequent, intense, and poorly-resolved arguments can have a significant negative impact on children’s mental health and long-term life chances.

The reducing parental conflict page has more information and links to self-help guides for parents and carers.

Our Speech and Language Therapist (Iona) can support parents, carers, and professionals who have, or are working with, children under the age of 5 years.

Iona works in the Family Hubs fortnightly, and offers advice and support in different ways.

There’s a communication advice line for parents and carers of children under 5 years old. It runs on Tuesday mornings, every two weeks. You can talk through your concerns about your child’s speech, language, and communication skills, and get advice about how you can support your child. Call us on 01642 579120 to book a slot.

Professionals can also access speech, language, and communication advice for children they’re working with aged under 5 years. Dedicated time to support professionals has been allocated on Thursday afternoons. If professionals are unable to access support at this time, they can contact Iona to arrange an alternate time. Please email stees.talkfamilyhubs@nhs.net for more information.

Iona also offers support for nurseries in the area. Nurseries can guide and suggest areas they’d like some support with.

If your child is taking part in Let’s Talk (an intervention to support 2-year-olds with delayed language, led by Family Hub staff), you’ll also have the opportunity to access a parent support group. In this group you can speak to other parents and carers completing Let’s Talk, and ask Iona for any advice and support. This group runs monthly. Ask your Early Years and Family Hubs Support Worker when the next session is.