Space for you and your baby

 Space for you and your baby is a programme for first time parents with young babies.

To find a programme and book into Space go to

Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti SPACE programme bookings
or
Hutt Valley SPACE programmme bookings

Space promotes the value of parenthood and offers ongoing support for new families. Sessions are around 2 hours long and include: opportunities for parents to meet and get to know one another; discussions and information sharing on relevant child development and parenting topics; an introduction to rhymes, music, and books for infants; and play sessions with age-appropriate equipment that supports infants' learning and development.

Space sessions are run by qualified facilitators, along with other professionals who come together to share their collective knowledge and experience.

Groups of 12 to 15 parents and their babies meet weekly at a local Playcentre in a relaxed and baby friendly environment for a period of approximately three school terms (each term is 10 weeks long). Discussion topics may include:

• Getting to know you / Ka mohiotia i a koe
• Understanding me / Mohio au
• Stimulation / Whakaoho
• The beauty of the brain / Te ataahua o te roro
• Uniquely you / Ahurei koe
• Sleeping / Moe
• Establishing attachment / Whakapumau whakamau
• What do I see? / Ka kite au i te aha?
• What do I hear? / Ka rongo au i te aha?
• Natural movement / Ka kite ki taku neke haere
• Heuristic play / Ahuatanga takaro
• Music / Waiata.

As part of the programme you will receive a parenting journal.

This interactive journal has been created to support and enrich your parenting journey as you and your baby learn about each other. It is intended to encourage you to consider different perspectives and information on many aspects of parenting. 

Due to the structure of the Space programme, it is necessary to group together babies of similar ages. As individual centres are usually only running one 30-week programme at a time, it will often be necessary to travel to a centre that is running a Space programme appropriate for your baby's age and development.

Future Programmes

We aim to have a new group for parents of babies aged from birth to five months starting at the beginning of each new school term. Occasionally we are able to offer places to older babies in an existing group.

Due to the high popularity for our Space programme we recommend that you register your interest when baby is born. If you do miss out on a place on a Space programme you are very welcome to visit your local Playcentre where you and your baby are welcome to attend a general session.

Older babies can join in an existing Space session depending on the availability of places.

For more details on the Space programme nationally, refer to http://www.space.org.nz

"Space is the highlight of my week."

Wellington Space parent