Early Years
From newborn to nursery — discover baby classes, toddler groups, and early years activities for 0-5 year olds across the UK.
Your Early Years Journey
Nurseries, playgroups, and specialist baby and toddler programmes provide the foundations for lifelong learning and development.
Newborn
Ages 0-6m
Baby massage, sensory play, and gentle music sessions supporting bonding and early brain development.
The Bike Station - The Wee Bike Library - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsNewington Community Toy Library - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsTea and tots stay and play - South East
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsBaby & Crawler
Ages 6-18m
Baby swimming, movement classes, and sensory exploration as babies become mobile.
The Bike Station - The Wee Bike Library - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsNewington Community Toy Library - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsTea and tots stay and play - South East
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsToddler
Ages 18m-3y
Playgroups, toddler sports tasters, creative play, and language-rich social activities.
The Bike Station - The Wee Bike Library - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsNewington Community Toy Library - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsNorth Merchiston club - Babblers choir - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsPre-School
Ages 3-4y
Nursery, Forest School, pre-school gymnastics, and structured play building school readiness.
The Bike Station - The Wee Bike Library - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsNewington Community Toy Library - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsNorth Merchiston club - Babblers choir - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsReception Ready
Ages 4-5y
Multi-sport, music, arts, and social skills building transition confidence for school.
The Bike Station - The Wee Bike Library - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsNewington Community Toy Library - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-yearsNorth Merchiston club - Babblers choir - South West
City of Edinburgh Council
early-years
Where Early Years Can Take You
The skills developed transfer to many careers in and around the field.
Nursery Teacher
Teaching and caring for young children
Range: £12.9k - £23.7k
Source: ONS ASHE 2024
Key Skills
Typical Route
Early Years qualification → Nursery practitioner → Room leader → Manager
Early Years Specialist
Supporting early childhood development and education
Range: £12.9k - £23.7k
Source: ONS ASHE 2024
Key Skills
Typical Route
Early Years degree → Practitioner → SENCO/Specialist → Consultant
Childminder
Caring for children in a home setting
Range: £12.9k - £23.7k
Source: ONS ASHE 2024
Key Skills
Typical Route
Childminding qualification → Registration → Established childminder
Baby Class Instructor
Running classes for babies and parents
Key Skills
Typical Route
Training course → Franchisee/self-employed → Multiple classes → Franchise owner
Salary data from Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2024
Early Years Heroes
These stars started at local clubs just like yours. Their journeys show what's possible.
Tessa Jowell DBE
Early Years Policy
Sure Start founder — changed millions of children's life chances
“Investment in the earliest years is the best investment a society can make.”
Floella Benjamin OBE
Early Years Media
Play School presenter, baroness, early years champion
“Children who watch quality TV, read books, and play freely become confident adults.”
Penelope Leach
Early Years
Author of Your Baby and Child — generations of parents' bible
“Every baby is an individual. Respond, interact, and let them lead. The rest follows.”
Helen Moylett
Early Years
EYFS principal author, early childhood education innovator
“Play is the most powerful vehicle for learning in the early years. Protect it at all costs.”
Featured Early Years Providers
These organisations offer structured programmes for young people across the UK.
New City College
3509 programmes
New City College is East London's educational powerhouse, formed from the merger of several historic institutions including Tower Hamlets College and Hackney Community College. With campuses stretching from Shoreditch to Hornchurch, they serve one of the most diverse student populations in the UK. What sets New City apart is their dual focus: high-level professional training (personal training diplomas, childcare qualifications) alongside intensive ESOL provision for the many first-generation immigrants in their catchment. Their campus locations put students within reach of London's job markets in fitness, hospitality, and early years. The college has invested heavily in modern facilities, including industry-standard fitness training suites and early years simulation rooms. For young people in East London seeking vocational routes into employment, New City offers genuine career launchpads rather than just qualifications.
View provider page →Sample Programmes
Early Years Practitioner NCFE CACHE Level 2
📍 LONDON
Ages 16–?
Early Years Practitioner NCFE CACHE Level 2
📍 LONDON
Ages 16–?
Early Years Practitioner NCFE CACHE Level 2
📍 Hornchurch
Ages 16–?
ClubHub UK
2625 programmes
ClubHub UK is a directory of children's activities, classes and clubs across the UK. Founded in 2016, it helps millions of parents discover trusted activities for their children.
View provider page →Sample Programmes
Infant and Child First Aid Training
📍 London
Ages ?–13
Bloom Baby Leigh and Wigan East (Leigh)
📍 WN7 2EL
Ages ?–15
Bloom Baby Classes Wirral – Wallasey
📍 CH45 3HL
Ages ?–16
University Centre Somerset College Group
1580 programmes
Somerset College has transformed from a traditional FE provider into a university centre delivering degrees across the South West. Their T Levels in engineering and manufacturing reflect strong connections with the aerospace and engineering firms in the Bristol-Bath-Bridgwater corridor. What makes Somerset distinctive is their land-based and construction focus. From fork-lift certification to barbering diplomas, they've built provision around the local economy — agriculture, construction, and service industries. Their NVQ plant operations courses serve the region's construction and infrastructure sectors. For young people in Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall who want to progress to higher education without relocating, their foundation degrees in early childhood and other subjects offer an affordable, local route. The campuses in Bridgwater, Taunton, and Street are embedded in their communities rather than feeling like remote institutions.
View provider page →Sample Programmes
NCFE L2 Dip for the Early Years Practitioner
📍 Wiltshire
Ages 16–?
NCFE CACHE L3 Dip for working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator) Yr 1 of 2
📍 Torbay
Ages 16–?
CACHE L3 Dip for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator) FCFJ Yr 1 of 2
📍 Devon
Ages 16–?
Find Early Years Near You
Search by location, age, or programme type to find clubs and courses in your area.