Our Story
The first 1001 days of a child's life are the most important. That's why here at Babyzone, we firmly believe that every family deserves to have an extraordinary space where they are given the opportunity to grow together and have the best start in life.
Recent research by the IFS says that "the international evidence that well-designed and well-funded intervention in early childhood to promote child development through holistic family support can yield important individual and societal benefits". The founding team at Babyzone recognised the need in the UK for families with children under 6 years to have well-designed and well-funded intervention that offers holistic support.
Babyzone reaches over 8,000 individuals annually. We achieve not just breadth of impact, but depth too. Our team are part of the fabric of their communities and parents refer to Babyzone as a 'lifeline' in challenging times.
In March 2025, we marked a major milestone by taking over Baby Buddy - the NHS-aligned parenting app providing expert-led, evidence-based support from pregnancy through early childhood. With over 170,000 parents supported since 2021, Baby Buddy is now an integral part of Babyzone's mission.
By bringing Baby Buddy into the Babyzone family, we’re bridging the gap between digital and face-to-face care - combining trusted, personalised online guidance with our local, community-led programmes. This powerful integration allows us to offer truly holistic support, helping parents navigate the challenges of early childhood wherever they are - online and in person.
Together, Babyzone and Baby Buddy are building a healthier, more confident future for families across the UK.
"I was recently asked by a journalist what a successful child looks like when they leave a nursery or childminder, and I found myself saying that it is not just about whether they can recite the alphabet, count to 100 or name 5 planets. A successful child for me is someone who is kind and empathetic and will go on in life to be kind and empathetic to other people. As I sit here today, this at Babyzone is the environment that shapes those qualities. A massive compliment to Babyzone because these are the critical years."
Neil Leitch, CEO, Early Years Alliance
Pioneering in early years
Giving more children in the UK a fairer start in life which leads to improved long term outcomes around health, wellbeing, employability and inclusion.
Evidence-informed classes
Over 30 evidence-informed classes per location per day
We partner with expert practitioners to deliver evidence-based classes for families that attend. Alongside this we have our soft play areas, colouring tables, reading corners, puzzle rooms, sensory rooms and dance sessions for parent and child to participate in together.
All our classes and activities are focused on the at home learning environment, and most importantly, it's all about strengthening the parent-child bond. The classes are designed to empower the parents/primary carers.
Community hub for all
A community of over 400 parents per location per day
The Babyzone network of 'one-stop shops', brings together a range of services to support local families. Across our five locations, we have over 50 delivery partners who span statutory and public services (such as the NHS), charitable organisations (such as Home-Start), education institutes (such as the University of Cambridge) and private organisations (such as WOW World Group).
Babyzone has become a community hub for families and our attendance numbers continue to grow.
Safe, premium space
Hosted in 7 purpose-built, premium OnSide Youth Zones
Collaboration lies at the backbone of what we do. Babyzone works in close partnership with OnSide, a national youth charity that champions youth work and believes all young people deserve access to opportunities.
Our ambition is to have a Babyzone provision across England, starting with the network of 22 OnSide Youth Zones.
"It feels like therapy for parents. The kids are safe, free and learning. The parents can take part with them and feel empowered. This service is just brilliant - thank you!"
Parent, Barnet Babyzone
100+
workshops took place by local immunisation, oral health and infant feeding teams in 2024
315
bundles of baby essentials delivered free to Babyzone families in 2024
10,000+
families attended our Dinky Medics, Mini Professor and Reading Fairy classes in 2024
170,000+
parents supported on their parenting journey through the Baby Buddy app since 2021
Our early childhoods, the time from pregnancy to five, fundamentally shape our whole lives. (Royal Foundation, 2024)
80% of neural connections, which influence our thinking, behaviour, resilience, and response to stress, are formed by age 2. (Johnson & Smith, 2016)
Primary caregivers play the most crucial role, but they do not exist in a vacuum and their capacity and ability are inextricably linked with their own experiences when they were growing up and with the support they receive, as adults, from the communities around them (Royal Foundation, 2021)