Most of our classes are recommended for babies on the move up to around five years of age. We understand that all children are at different stages of development and have different interests so please get in touch before booking if you have an older or younger child who you are considering bringing and would like to know more. The Tuesday classes in Ballisodare Community Centre are tailored for younger babies and toddlers/pre-school children. Our private workshops are designed to meet the ages and stages of development of those attending.

When you arrive, you will be greeted by one of our dedicated team. You can then leave any belongings in a designated area. Our classes are child-led, allowing each individual child complete autonomy over their play for the duration of the class. 5-10 minutes before the class ends, we will place sand timers around the room and explain to the children that when the sand reaches the bottom, it will be time to get their things and go home. We end the class by blowing bubbles to further support the transition away from the play areas. This routine is consistent at the end of our classes, so children become familiar with it and they know what to expect.

We recommend wearing comfortable clothes that allow for movement and exploration. Our classes can involve messy play, so it's a good idea to dress your child in clothes that can get dirty.

Yes, in most classes you are welcome to bring another adult. Seeing photos and videos from the classes can be lovely but there is nothing like being there and seeing it for yourself. Please do let us know in your booking form if you plan to bring an additional adult as sometimes we might need to limit the additional adult numbers.

All our classes have limited numbers to ensure that children and adults have sufficient space to move around freely and comfortably. Class numbers vary depending on the size of the venue that it is being held in.

We welcome children of all abilities and strive to accommodate their needs to the best of our ability. You can add a note to the booking form so that we can make necessary accommodations to ensure a positive experience for your child. If you have any specific questions about class suitability or venue locations, please send us an email at info@maiapurposefulplay.ie

Yes, depending on their ages siblings are welcome to join the class. Please note that siblings may require an extra fee and must be booked in advance. Young babies are free of charge with a paid sibling in our regular classes. Please contact us to find out more detailed information.

When booking, you will be asked to inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions (such as a gluten intolerance). With more than 48 hours' notice, we can adapt our sensory bases accordingly. While no identified allergens will be used in class, we cannot guarantee that traces cannot be found. If you are making your booking less than 48 hours before the class, please send us an email to notify us, and we will do our best to accommodate it.

We offer a 10% sibling discount when they are booked into the same class. We also provide discounts when you book a fixed term of classes together. The discount is applied atomically when booking.

We appreciate you letting us know if you cannot make a class so that we can offer your space to another family on the waitlist. A minimum of 48 hours is notice required if you wish to cancel or change the date (depending on availability) of your PAYG class. Unfortunately, we cannot refund the cost of any term sessions that you do not attend.

Ballisodare Community Centre (Sligo), Hope Café (Shannon), and St. Anne’s Hall (Ballyshannon) all have free parking available outside. When choosing our venues, accessibility and parking are high priorities for us. When booking your class, there will be further information about parking listed. Please reach out if you have any queries.

That is no problem at all! Just come on in and join us when you arrive. The child-led aspect of the classes means there is no formal "start" time, so you won't feel like you missed anything.

Yes, you are welcome to meet your baby/child’s hunger needs as required. All of our classes, workshops, and events are breastfeeding friendly. If there is anything that we can do to make you more comfortable when feeding your baby (breast, bottle, or snacks), please don't hesitate to ask.

We provide a variety of toys and resources for the children to explore during the class. However, if your child has a favorite toy or comfort item, you are welcome to bring it along if it eases the transition for them. We do ask that you leave it with your personal items once your child is settled.

It is recommended to bring your own changing mat to all venues. Ballisodare Community Centre has changing facilities but unfortunately not all of our venues do.

You are very welcome to get involved in the play experiences together, or you may prefer to step back and observe if your child is comfortable with that. You know your child best and what works for them. Whatever you decide, your presence on the day and attention to your child’s play (directly or through observations) fosters a stronger connection between you and them. This, in turn, supports their social-emotional development and well-being.

We completely understand! It is around 3-4 years of age that sharing skills start to develop in children and even after they do they still may not want to share. These challenging social interactions are an important part of your child’s development. You can support your child by saying “it is their turn now, you can have a turn when they are finished” and “lets pick something else to play with now while we wait”. If another child wants a toy from your child and they do not want to give it to them, that is okay. You do not need to force your child to share. Instead let them finish their turn and ask them to give it to the other child when they are done/ready.

We understand that every child is unique, and we encourage you to follow their lead. The child-led aspect of our classes means there is no expectation for children to participate until they are ready to do so. There is a significant amount of learning to be gained from being in our classes and watching the other children and adults play and interact. As children (and adults) become more familiar with the venue, the class facilitator and the setups, they begin to relax and their confidence builds.