About The Parent & Play Network

Welcome to The Parent & Play Network

Hello, we’re Lauren and Kirstyn, and we’re so glad you’re here. The Parent & Play Network is a warm, nurturing hub for families in the early years — a place where parents feel supported, children feel celebrated, and everyone feels part of a community.

Across Leicestershire, we run parent-and-child classes designed to bring joy, connection, and confidence to your early years journey.

We founded The Parent & Play Network after long, meaningful careers in the early years sector — and a shared passion for creating spaces where families feel truly supported.

Lauren holds a degree in Early Childhood and Education and has worked extensively in family support, supporting whole families in a holistic, compassionate way. She has experience in SEND, safeguarding, and a wide range of early years environments, giving her a strong understanding of how to support children with diverse needs and how to empower parents through guidance, connection, and practical strategies.

Her work has always centred around nurturing relationships, building confidence, and helping families thrive.

Kirstyn is an Early Years Teacher with over 15 years of experience managing a nursery, leading a team, planning high‑quality learning environments, and ensuring robust safeguarding practice. She has also worked within a school setting, supporting children’s development, wellbeing, and early learning through structured, responsive teaching.

Her background means she brings deep knowledge of child development, leadership, safety, and early years curriculum — all of which shape the high standards of our classes.

We are also fully qualified in Baby Massage, Baby Yoga, and Baby Sign, enabling us to deliver specialist classes that support bonding, communication, physical development, and emotional wellbeing. These qualifications ensure our sessions are grounded in evidence-based practice and delivered with care, safety, and expertise.

After years in early years education, we realised that parents often receive advice and support in fragments — but rarely in a space that feels personal, friendly, and truly understanding.

We wanted to change that.

We wanted to create a place where:

• parents feel confident and empowered
• children feel safe, curious, and joyful
• families feel part of something bigger
• early years knowledge is shared in a warm, accessible way
• community grows naturally

And as mums ourselves, we know how important it is to have a space where you can show up exactly as you are — no pressure, no judgement, just warmth and support.

Parent & Play was born from that belief: that families thrive when they feel connected, supported, and seen.

We believe the early years are magical — and that parents deserve to enjoy them, not just survive them.

We believe in:

• connection over perfection
• play as a foundation for learning
• community as a source of strength
• support that feels human, not clinical
• spaces where parents feel just as welcome as their children

Every class we run is designed with intention, care, and a deep understanding of child development and family wellbeing.

To nurture little minds through play, learning, and connection — supporting parents and children to grow, explore, and thrive together.

We unite parents and children in a supportive community, offering shared experiences and helpful guidance so families can thrive.

We help parents and children strengthen relationships, build life skills, and boost confidence for happy, healthy futures.

We foster an empathetic environment where families are acknowledged, respected, and supported — promoting emotional wellbeing, positive parenting, and meaningful connection.