Waltham Forest Best Start in Life

Waltham Forest Best Start in Life Information, support and fun activities for families with children under 5 in Waltham Forest.

We want every child in Waltham Forest to get the Best Start in Life. You can find free and affordable find Best Start in Life services in Family Hubs and other community spaces throughout every neighbourhood in the borough. Find your nearest Family Hub here: https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/families-young-people-and-children/family-hubs

Many of the services are run by our partners that are expert

s in their fields, such as: HENRY, Lloyd Park Children's Charity, Chit-Chat Pitter-Patter and Waltham Forest Health Visiting 0-19 Children's Service. Follow us to keep informed of fun and free activities in Waltham Forest such as Dad’s Club, Story & Rhyme sessions, Baby Massage, SEND Play sessions, and many arts & crafts and music groups. You can also find all one-off courses and events posted here first 😊.

28/05/2026

The Lloyd Park Children's Charity Listening & Learning community survey is now open, giving parents and carers across Waltham Forest the opportunity to share their views on what would make the borough an even better place for children and families to live, grow, and thrive.

The feedback collected will help shape future priorities and ensure that local services reflect the needs and experiences of families in our communities.

Survey link is in the comments.

🧊 Looking for ways to help your children burn off some energy this half term while staying cool?Find free and affordable...
26/05/2026

🧊 Looking for ways to help your children burn off some energy this half term while staying cool?

Find free and affordable Best Start in Life sessions for under-5s at Best Start Family Hubs, libraries and the Lloyd Park Centre. For young people aged 11 to 25, free Space4All sessions have half term activities running all week.
You can find both on our event pages.

🏊 All under-18s can swim for free during school holidays at Better Leisure Centres with a Junior Pay and Play membership. This costs £6.80 a year or £5 with a concession discount.
For more information, you can find links to the Lloyd Park Centre, Better Leisure Centres and our event pages in the comments.

The UK Health Security Agency has extended the Amber Heat Health Alert for London, with temperatures expected to reach u...
26/05/2026

The UK Health Security Agency has extended the Amber Heat Health Alert for London, with temperatures expected to reach up to 35°C until next Thursday 🌡️

This means there is an increased risk to health, especially for babies, young children and others who are more vulnerable. Indoor spaces are also likely to become very warm.

Young children feel the heat more quickly than adults, so it is important to take extra care to keep them safe and comfortable:
• Keep babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight
• Encourage children to stay in the shade, especially between 11am and 3pm
• Dress them in loose, lightweight clothing that covers the skin
• Apply sunscreen with at least SPF30 on exposed skin, including face, ears, hands and feet
• Reapply sunscreen regularly, especially after swimming, sweating or towel drying
• Make sure they drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Avoid active play during the hottest part of the day

For more advice on staying well in the heat, visit:
https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/stay-well/stay-well-heat

🌞 May Half Term is next week! If you're booking holiday clubs or activity camps, remember you can use Tax Free Childcare...
22/05/2026

🌞 May Half Term is next week!

If you're booking holiday clubs or activity camps, remember you can use Tax Free Childcare to help cover the cost.
You can save up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 if your child has a disability).

If you’re not signed up yet, you can apply here: 👉
https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

Mini Morris activities are monthly, free drop in craft and play sessions for children aged 2 to 5, held at William Morri...
17/05/2026

Mini Morris activities are monthly, free drop in craft and play sessions for children aged 2 to 5, held at William Morris Gallery, E17 4PP.

🎨This May, children can create their own coat of arms, shield and tabard for imaginative play at home. Sessions include a craft activity, singing and a snack to take away. As sessions can be messy, old clothes are recommended. Aprons are provided.

When: Thursday 21 May, 10am–11am & 11.30am–12.30pm

If your child enjoys Lego or Duplo, there are lots of sessions to choose from across Waltham Forest.Local libraries run ...
14/05/2026

If your child enjoys Lego or Duplo, there are lots of sessions to choose from across Waltham Forest.

Local libraries run Lego clubs, Duplo clubs, and Duplo and toy play sessions. You can find full details on the libraries’ Eventbrite pages.

There is also a SEND Lego club on the first Saturday of each month at Best Start Family Hub, Queens Road. This session is smaller and quieter, and offers extra support for children who benefit from it.

🔗Links to Libraries Eventbrite and Best Start in Life events are in our bio.

🌟 Parents in Waltham Forest — here’s something you might not know!If your 2 year old is using the 15 hours Free Childcar...
12/05/2026

🌟 Parents in Waltham Forest — here’s something you might not know!

If your 2 year old is using the 15 hours Free Childcare and Early Learning, you’ll get supermarket vouchers in the school holidays. Yes, even if your child attends all year.

And if you’re eligible for both the working families’ offer and the 2 year old Free Childcare, you can split your claim to get 30 free hours and keep receiving those holiday vouchers. Just share two codes with your provider:

✔️ 6 digit Waltham Forest code
✔️ 11 digit HMRC working families code

Apply for your Waltham Forest code here: 🌐 www.walthamforest.gov.uk/childcare

If you only use the 11 digit code, you won’t receive vouchers — so make sure you’re claiming correctly.
Need help finding childcare? We’re here for you: 📧 childcare@walthamforest.gov.uk 📞 0208 496 4566

This summer – explore more, experience more, Discover Waltham Forest.This all-new digital hub shows what’s on in your lo...
10/05/2026

This summer – explore more, experience more, Discover Waltham Forest.

This all-new digital hub shows what’s on in your local neighbourhood and across the borough. Discover what’s happening all-year round for child-friendly activities (and much more), including Nature Tots Forest School, Lego play, baby and toddler clothes exchange, Chatterbooks, Zippos Circus and train track play.

Whether you’re after outdoor adventures or indoor experiences, Discover Waltham Forest is the new go-to guide with easy-to-use search functions to find family fun and education.
Visit: https://www.discoverwalthamforest.co.uk/

Balancing a healthy lifestyle for your family while raising your children can feel like a juggling act.The HENRY in Walt...
07/05/2026

Balancing a healthy lifestyle for your family while raising your children can feel like a juggling act.

The HENRY in Waltham Forest Healthy Families Programme is a free 8 week workshop for families with children under five. It offers support to build parenting confidence, manage behaviour, support emotional wellbeing, and explore healthy food and activities.
A free crèche is provided, so you can focus on the session and meet other local parents.

Programmes run online and in person, starting from the beginning of May. Book your spot via HENRY website (link in bio).

Planning family activities for May half term?🏊🏾Under 18s can swim for free at Better pools during school holidays with a...
03/05/2026

Planning family activities for May half term?

🏊🏾Under 18s can swim for free at Better pools during school holidays with a Junior Pay As You Go card. One card lasts a year and costs £6.80, or £5 with a concession.

🏊🏾‍♀️Concessionary prices are also available for swimming camps for children aged 4 and over, running from 25 to 29 May at Chingford or Leytonstone Leisure Centres. Chingford also offers dedicated SEND sessions.

Details and booking on the Better website. Link in bio!

It’s the start of National Smile Month, so we’re sharing some free oral health support for families with children under ...
30/04/2026

It’s the start of National Smile Month, so we’re sharing some free oral health support for families with children under 5 in Waltham Forest 😁

What’s on offer:
🪥Dental drop ins at libraries – learn a fun toothbrushing song and enjoy tooth friendly books
🪥Healthy eating and oral health drop ins – try healthy foods and pick up practical tips
🦷Healthy Teeth workshops – free sessions for parents and carers, sharing the latest dental advice for young children
The team has also updated its list of NHS dentists in Waltham Forest who are accepting young children. Places can fill up quickly, so it’s worth checking as soon as you can.

🔗Find all the links in the comments.

Address

Waltham Forest Town Hall
Town Hall
E174JF

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

https://linktr.ee/BestStartWF

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