Stay and Play at Hackney Sixth Form – one of the area’s best kept secrets!

Families across Hackney are being invited to discover one of the area’s best-kept secrets – the free vibrant and welcoming Stay and Play sessions at New City College Hackney Sixth Form.

Run every Wednesday from 1.30pm to 4pm, the sessions are a win-win for both local families and the sixth form students studying Early Years courses. While pre-school children enjoy an afternoon of creative play with brand new toys and equipment, parents and carers can relax with tea, coffee and cake, chat to others in the community, and enjoy a well-earned break – all within a safe and supervised environment.

For students like Fatima Kamara, pictured, who is studying the Early Years Practitioner Level 2 course, Stay and Play provides invaluable real-world experience.

Fatima said: “Ever since secondary school when I was asked what I wanted to do, it always came to my mind that I wanted to do childcare. I love being around and looking after children.

“When I saw the opportunity to do the Early Years course at Hackney Sixth Form, I knew I had to go for it because these chances don’t come along all the time.”

In lessons, students explore child development, well-being, safeguarding and how to support families as children transition from home to nursery – a significant step in a young child’s life. They then put that learning into practice through weekly work experience placements on Mondays, followed by hands-on sessions at Stay and Play on Wednesdays.

Fatima said: “Stay and Play is a great way for pre-school children to come and interact with other children. There are so many different activities they can do, such as painting, colouring, games and toys. They can play while their parents talk, and for us students we can interact with the children bringing what we have learned in the classroom to the real world. So it benefits everyone!”

Parents have been full of praise for the initiative. One commented: “This is one of the best stay and play sessions we have been to. A warm and inviting room full of brand new (and therefore clean) equipment. So much variety for the children and lovely creative spaces. Free tea, coffee and cake and lots of supervision – we love it.

“But what we also think is great is that this stay and play has a dual purpose. It helps young adults from Hackney Sixth Form to build their experience of caring for children to help them on their way to employment or university. What a brilliant idea!”

Health, Care and Early Years teacher Sam Hawkins said the sessions are a vital part of students’ professional development.

She said: “As part of the programme, students gain valuable practical experience through the college’s Stay and Play sessions, where they can apply their learning in a live environment. These sessions also provide meaningful opportunities for students to discuss children’s learning and development with parents and guardians, helping them build confidence in professional communication and partnership working.”

With creative activities, safe supervision and a strong sense of community, Stay and Play at Hackney Sixth Form is a brilliant facility. Local parents and carers with pre-school children are warmly encouraged to go along, meet other families and experience first-hand the care and professionalism of the college’s future Early Years practitioners.

Recent family reviews include:

“Warm and welcoming, fun and hospitable – each week the tutors and students welcome us with open arms. I go to many stay and plays across the borough and Hackney Sixth Form stands out in terms of toys, facilities and hospitality. I have also made great friends here, as has my son.”

“My daughter loves playing with the huge amount of toys and is building confidence in playing with the students. The sessions have helped us bridge the transition to nursery as it differs from your normal stay and plays as the students are there to facilitate and care for the children. It’s a brilliant service to the community as well as a great place to meet and chat to other local parents. We can’t believe how lucky we are to have this on our doorstep.”

“Stay and Play is a lovely session to bring the kids to. Everyone is so welcoming and the teas, coffees, biscuits, muffins and juice are a bonus!”

“A really nice, warm group – very well thought out and planned set-up with an excellent variety of activities to support different skills. Lots of hands-on help from the students who are excellent. The toys are all very well taken care of and clean!”

“Stay and Play at Hackney Sixth Form is one of our favourite weekly activities. My son has grown in confidence since we have been coming here. The drop-in session is an innovative way to give students experience and it connects the college to the community.”

“It’s great how hands-on the students are so that as a parent you can take a back seat and have a little break, a cup of tea and a chat.”

“Wonderful concept to have students involved on a weekly basis – great atmosphere, great teachers and students, and great variety of toys. And I can’t believe it’s free.”

“We absolutely love the stay and play sessions – a genuinely warm and welcoming environment. I can tell how passionate the teachers are for the progression of their students and there are so many fun things for the kids to do. I come with my twins every week and all of us appreciate this place so much. Thank you for helping me more than you’ll ever know.”

Families with pre-school children are invited to book their place by emailing Samantha at samantha.hawkins@ncclondon.ac.uk to see for themselves what makes Stay and Play at New City College Hackney Sixth Form so special. Sessions run every Wednesday from 1.30pm to 3pm during term time.

The sessions are completely free, offering a fantastic afternoon of creative play for children and a welcoming space for parents and carers to relax, enjoy tea, coffee and cake, and connect with others in the community.

Hackney Sixth Form, Kenninghall Road, London E5 8BP.

Are you interested in studying Early Years courses? Apply today and secure your place at New City College.