New Little City franchise launched in Northamptonshire
Toddlers and pre-schoolers in Northamptonshire will soon be able to expand their imaginations through the wonders of pretend play thanks to Little City UK.
The award-winning, imaginative play company is opening its doors to a new Northamptonshire franchise, led by mum Sue Mason.
Sue was inspired to set up her own interactive play sessions after seeing the benefits first-hand when attending Little City’s sessions in Milton Keynes with her children Christopher and Violet.
After struggling with feelings of postnatal depression, Sue noticed that she always felt much better after attending the Little City sessions, where she was able to forget about the never-ending jobs list at home and join in with her children's imaginations and engage in the make-believe play. She also loved that you could take a breather, relax with a cuppa and build relationships with other parents, carers and peers.
She says, “It was my husband and a few friends who said I would be perfectly suited to running a Little City franchise. They saw how much each session sparked something in me. It’s the perfect way to work family-friendly hours while also combining my love of fancy dress with the benefit of seeing children immersed in their own imaginations.”
Sue will be officially opening the doors to Little City Northampton on Monday December 8 at Moulton Library.
Each session will last at least one hour and focus on imaginative, child-led play in welcoming indoor spaces, where adults can observe, join in, or take a moment to connect with others. The approach emphasises development through play rather than structured classes, and is designed to suit mixed-age families, grandparents, and carers.
Sue says, “Little City is entirely different to any other toddler session out there because it’s all about encouraging pretend play. There are no limits to the worlds that children can create. If a child wants to be a firefighter who delivers the post, or a hairdresser who lays bricks, or even take the shopping trolley to the mechanics because the wheels are dodgy, then they can. It's their world to explore, play and learn in, and it’s joyous to watch the worlds that they create.”
“Unlike hectic soft play sessions where you’re constantly having to chase little ones to the top of the playing area or trying to get them to participate in structured group activities, this is far more relaxed, yet just as beneficial. We saw how parents and carers were loving the chance to jump into pretend play scenarios, but also how they could take the time to enjoy a hot drink and have a conversation with another adult, knowing that their children were having the time of their lives. That’s why the sessions were perfect for grandparents, families with mixed-aged siblings, expectant mums, and even families with new babies.”
Nationally, Little City UK has built its reputation on delivering a variety of imaginative play sessions for toddlers and pre-schoolers across a wide range of settings. In addition to the typical stay-and-play sessions, the mobile nature of the Little City setup allows it to be used in almost any setting, from schools and nurseries to community groups and care homes. Little City UK has been invited to participate in numerous corporate events. It has even facilitated a series of prison visits, transforming the prison's visiting area into a child-friendly fun zone.
This is something that Sue is keen to explore.
She says, "I’m really looking forward to working in partnership with schools across Northamptonshire. Nationally, Little City UK has delivered almost five hundred school visits this year alone. The concept of Little City is so adaptable that it can help teach KS1 sessions in the classroom or be used in school halls for end-of-term treats. I’m going to set up several pop-up sessions in community venues and work with local groups to ensure early years play is accessible across the area. If your school, nursery, business, or community group would like us to visit or explore a partnership, please get in touch.”