The family centre service can help from before your baby's born, right through to thinking about starting school. We have centres throughout Hertfordshire.
We have family support teams, health visitors and school nurses.
What's on in your area
Check the timetable for your district, book on to a session or follow us for regular updates on upcoming events.
Broxbourne
Including Hoddesdon, Turnford, Cheshunt and Waltham Cross.
Opening in a new windo
What's on at Broxbourne Family Centre
Stay up to date on our events:
Other activities in your area:
opening in a new window
Dacorum
Including Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley, Tring and surrounding area.
What's on at Dacorum Family Centre
Stay up to date on our events:
Other activities in your area:
East Herts
Including Buntingford, Puckeridge, Watton-at-Stone, Hertford, Ware, Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth.
Opening in a new w
What's on at East Herts Family Centre
Stay up to date on our events:
Other activities in your area:
Hertsmere
Including Borehamwood, Bushey, Potters Bar and Radlett.
What's on at Hertsmere Family Centre
Stay up to date on our events:
Other activities in your area:
North Herts
Including Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock, Royston and Knebworth.
Opening in a new window
What's on at North Herts Family Centre
Stay up to date on our events:
Other activities in your area:
St Albans
Including Harpenden, London Colney, Park Street, Redbourn and Wheathampstead.
What's on at St Albans Family Centre
Stay up to date on our events:
Other activities in your area:
Stevenage
opening in a new window
What's on at Stevenage Family Centre
Stay up to date on our events:
Other activities in your area:
Three Rivers
Including Abbots Langley, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth and South Oxhey.
What's on at Three Rivers Family Centre
Stay up to date on our events:
Other activities in your area:
Watford
What's on at Watford Family Centre
Stay up to date on our events:
Other activities in your area:
Welwyn and Hatfield
pening in a new window
What's on at Welwyn and Hatfield Family Centre
Stay up to date on our events:
Other activities in your area:
Types of activities on offer
Sign up to for free to get involved.
Active rhyme time
- Booking required? No, just drop-in
- Cost: £2.50 per family
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Who it's for: Baby & toddler (with parent or carer).
Enjoy active rhymes and songs! It's a great way to meet other families and develop your child's communication and physical skills.
Baby group
- Booking required? No, just drop-in
- Cost: £1.50 per family
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Who it's for: Babies who haven't started walking.
Join other families in a supportive and friendly environment. Enjoy playtime, learn about your child's development, and receive support for your wellbeing as a new parent.
Becoming Dad
- Booking required? Yes, book via your district’s timetable.
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Who’s it for: New and expectant fathers.
This inclusive session helps you connect with and understand your baby's needs. It's a hands-on experience where your baby (12 months or under) is welcome too!
Bumps to Babies
- Booking required? No, just drop-in
- Duration: 1 hour
- Who’s it for: New and expectant parents.
Meet other expectant families during this exciting time. Build your social network and chat with a friendly family support service team member.
Family Fun
- Booking required? No. These drop-in sessions run during school holidays. Check your nearest family centre's timetable to see if / when a session is on.
- Cost: £2.50 per family
Fun sessions with a wide range of activities for you and your children to play together, meet other local families and the family centre team. As well as lots for Under 5s to enjoy, there will be activities for siblings up to the age of 8.
Family toolkit
- Booking required? Yes - view your district’s timetable to see if/when a course is scheduled.
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Who it's for: Families with children aged 2 to 5 years.
A great course to learn some new ideas about how to manage children’s behaviour and get the best out of family life.
First Aid
- Booking required? Yes - view your district’s timetable to see if/when a course is scheduled.
- Cost: £25 per person
- Duration: 2 hours
- Who it's for: Parents-to-be and parents/carers.
This in-person session covers essential first aid topics like resuscitation, treating head injuries, choking, and burns for babies and children. It is led by a qualified first aid trainer.
Infant feeding social group
- Booking required? No, just drop-in
- Duration: 1 hour
- Who it's for: Babies 11 days and older (for younger babies, contact your midwife).
Meet other families in a safe, relaxing environment. UNICEF-accredited family support staff will be available to assist you with your feeding journey and answer any feeding questions you may have.
Introduction to solid foods
- Booking required? Depends on location - view your district’s timetable.
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Who it's for: Parents/carers of 4-6 month olds.
NHS guidelines suggest introducing solid foods at around 6 months. Join us as your baby approaches this important age to learn the signs of readiness. Choose to attend in-person or online.
Physical fun
- Booking required? No, just drop-in
- Cost: £2.50 per family
- Duration: 1 hour
- Who it's for: Children aged 18+ months.
A fun, active session. Come and meet other local families and enjoy lots of play opportunities to support your child with their physical development.
Preparing for parenthood
- Booking required? Yes via Eventbrite
- Duration: 2 hours
- Who it's for: Parents-to-be between week 25-34 of pregnancy.
This session covers lots of the essential information you need to prepare for parenthood and beyond. Delivered by family support staff.
Self weigh stations
- Booking required? Drop-in at selected times, or book a slot via Eventbrite.
- Duration: up to 10 minutes
- Who it's for: Babies between 16 weeks and 12 months.
Check your baby's weight at 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 8 months, and 12 months and get advice from the family support team. If your baby is outside of these ages or if you have any concerns, contact your health visitor on 0300 123 7572.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) drop ins
- Booking required? No, just drop-in
- Duration: 1 hour
- Who it’s for: All welcome, whether a child is diagnosed with or showing signs of SEND.
A great opportunity to come and meet other families going through a similar journey. Our team is also here to talk about our SEND services, guide you to other support organisations, or to just listen. Some centres offer SEND sensory sessions too.
Stay and play
- Booking required? No, just drop-in
- Cost: £2.50 per family
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Who it's for: Under 5s and their parents/carers
A fun session with various activities and resources for children. There's a special area for babies with family support staff available to help, plus the chance to socialise with other parents and carers.