Early Years under 5’s
Home‑Start Colchester, Jaywick & Clacton delivers a wide range of early‑help services that support the healthy development of children under 5 across Colchester and South Tendring. Every activity is shaped by what local families tell us they need, from personalised home‑visiting, parenting support, play support ,to friendly weekly groups that help babies and young children learn, play and thrive.
Feedback from a mum with child attending Home-Start CJC
Our early‑years services directly supports the key developmental outcomes that build a strong foundation for lifelong wellbeing:
Physical Development
We promote healthy growth by ensuring children have access to nutritious snacks at every group, opportunities for active play, and support for parents around routines, feeding and early health needs. We also present information and guidance and provide activities that support development of motor skills such as riding, climbing, painting and dancing.
Cognitive Development
Our early‑learning environments including Forest School, performing arts sessions and themed play groups, give children rich opportunities to explore, problem‑solve and develop early communication and thinking skills.
Emotional Development
We create nurturing spaces where children feel safe, supported and able to express themselves. Parents receive guidance that strengthens attachment, emotional regulation and resilience in the early years.
Social Skills
Group activities encourage interaction, sharing, turn‑taking and communication. Children build confidence through play with peers, supported by staff who model positive social behaviour. Our snack times provide an opportunity to eat at a table and take turns.
Mental Health
By reducing family stressors and offering safe, predictable environments, we support children’s early mental health. Parents are helped to understand and respond to their child’s emotional needs, creating calmer, more secure home routines. We also have several venues with sensory areas and all groups with sensory toys.
Our early years services are continually evolving to need and currently we deliver:
- 12 x baby and toddler groups every week
- 1‑1 home‑visiting support for families with children under 5
- Family events and seasonal activities
- Forest School sessions
- D.O.T – Donate or Take baby and toddler clothes
- H.E.L.P – Home‑Start Essential Living Packs
Weekly Under5’s Groups delivered in Colchester
The Ark Methodist Church, Jack Andrews Drive, Highwoods, CO4 9FF
Tuesday – Play Town (Under 4s) 9.30–11.00am • Booking required
Wednesday – Tiny Toes Baby Stay & Play (Newborn–1 year) 9.30–11.00am • Drop‑in, no booking. No older siblings
Cessac Community Centre, Fallowfield Road, CO2 9ND
Tuesday – Hungry Little Minds (0–5 years) 12.30–2.00pm • Drop‑in
St John Payne Church Hall, 21 Blackthorn Avenue, Greenstead, CO4 3QD
Wednesday – Greenstead Stay & Play (0–4 years) 9.30–11.00am
Wednesday – Greenstead Little Stars (18 months+) 11.30am–12.15pm
Forest School – Highwoods Country Park, CO4 5JR
Wednesday – Forest School (Toddlers and above) 10.00–11.30am • Booking required
Kingsland Church, 86 London Road, Stanway, CO3 9DW
Thursday – Parents2B & New Babies (Up to 1 year) 10.00am–12.00pm • Drop‑in
The Community Hall at Abbots, Ladbrook Drive, CO2 8RW
Thursday – Fun‑Start (+1s, age 1–4) 10.00–11.30am
Wednesday – Baby Group 12.00–1.30pm
Weekly Under 5’s Groups in Tendring
St James Family Hub, 30 Oxford Road, Clacton, CO15 3TB
Monday – Tiny Toes Baby Stay & Play (Newborn–1 year) 10.00–11.30am • Drop‑in. No older siblings. Mums‑to‑be welcome
Monday – Hungry Little Minds (1–5 years) 12.00–1.00pm • Drop‑in
Brotherhood Community Hall, 28 St Osyth Road, Clacton, CO15 3BW
Friday – Little Stars Performing Arts (18 months+) 10.00–11.00am • Booking required
Pedlars Wood Forest School, Central Avenue, Frinton, CO14 8NF
Monday – Forest School (Toddlers and above) 10.00–11.00am • Booking required
Jaywick – Sunspot Centre
Baby Massage Email to book: office@homestartcjc.co.uk
