About Little Lights
Little Lights sensory and creative play classes.
Little Lights began as a 6 week course that aimed to make up for some of the experiences that parents and guardians may have missed out on due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially funded by the Lottery Community Fund, our Little Lights classes were such a success that we decided to keep them going.
Little Lights is currently running at three different venues across Hampshire. You can find the locations here.
The sessions have been designed by an Early Years Practitioner and our Director, Rosanna, creating a unique combination of expertise in child development and the lived experience of becoming a mum during a pandemic. See below for some FAQs about Little Lights sessions.
Little Lights is part of performing arts charity Unexpected Places. Find out more about Unexpected Places here.
Meet the Team
Hayley - Little Lights Manager
"Hello my name is Hayley and I’m so excited to be joining the Little Lights team. We have been busy planning some really fun classes for you and your little ones.
"I’ve been working with children for 23 years and I’m a mum of 2 and particularly enjoy working with families as a whole; learning together through fun, music and laughter is my favourite kind of work.
"Little Lights will make your week a little bit brighter; I can’t wait to meet you all!"
Hayley progressed through roles from nursery nurse to Preschool team leader, developing fun and enriching planning using the foundation stage curriculum and liaising with parents/carers and outside agencies as well as taking on a SENCO role. She began working in children’s centres initially running stay and play sessions for children and their parents/carers. Hayley was also given PEEP training (Parents Early-years Education Plan) to be able to facilitate a parenting course to help parents/carers to support their children’s learning and development from birth to five years. This involved a teaching element as well as role modelling activities and helping parents identify their child’s learning.
FAQs
What will happen in a session?
40 minutes of the session will be guided sensory and creative activities, specifically created for each Little Lights age group. A further 10 minutes of “free play” will give your child the chance to explore the room and props with their friends and give their adults time to talk too.
What are 'sensory activities'?
Sensory exploration and hands-on play is the highlight of our Little Lights classes. Our classes deliver original sensory experiences; sometimes using household equipment, so you can recreate activities at home; or using bigger props such as ball pits or parachutes which aren’t readily available to all. There may also be some “messy” activities where a change of clothes might be required! We will always let you know in advance if this is the case.
Will there be music?
Music is an important part of the sensory experience, so we have commissioned a musician to compose some original music for us. Familiar nursery rhymes or songs will be used, but rest assured our Little Lights leader will take the lead if you’re feeling shy about joining in.
Will there be social distancing?
These classes have been designed to encourage children and families to socialise, helping new parents to build networks with other families and their children. The initial 6 week course was designed without social distancing in mind. The classes will encourage children to interact with toys and each other; our staff will continue to maintain a high standard of cleanliness in between classes to clean any props used. Parents are encouraged to wear face masks if it makes them feel more comfortable.
Little Lights classes will encourage a relaxed atmosphere where your child is allowed to move around to explore the space and meet other children. There won’t be an assigned space for you and your child to remain in; we aim to re-establish interactions and connections with other children and families in a supportive and friendly environment.
We would like to reassure you that as the rules and regulations change, we will adapt to make sure we are adhering to the latest guidance. If you would like to know more about this, please reach out to our team.
COVID policy
In the event of restrictions that would force our classes to stop meeting in person, we will either;
a) freeze your account and whatever is left on your balance will be transferred as a credit to your account for when classes are able to resume OR
b) refund the classes that have been cancelled due to COVID restrictions.
If the guidance should change, we will be in touch with you to advise what we are doing to ensure that we are complying with government regulations.