Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH)
DQSH is a storytime like no other, founded by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco. A much needed safe space f…
Learn more
Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH)
DQSH is a storytime like no other, founded by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco. A much needed safe space for both drag queens and children to enter the magical world of storytime. The sessions are run and delivered by drag queens in LA, New York and San Francisco within libraries, schools and bookstores. “DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models.”
2017 saw the launch of Drag Queen Story Time in Bristol, set up by Tom Canham “For me the project is about drag queens providing fun and inclusive reading for children about issues around misogyny, homophobia, racism, LGBTQ and gender fluidity in a way which they can understand.”
The Bethel Doula Service
The Bethel Doula service is one strand of work delivered by Bethel Health and Healing Network in Birmingham. Set up t…
Learn more
The Bethel Doula Service
The Bethel Doula service is one strand of work delivered by Bethel Health and Healing Network in Birmingham. Set up to “...provide support to vulnerable and isolated pregnant women in Birmingham during their pregnancies, their childbirth and after their babies have been born.” This fantastic service is delivered by a complimentary mix of both professional and voluntary doulas, some of whom have lived experience of these types of services. They exist to put those most in need of these types of services, particularly those who are often disenfranchised in communities and wider society, those who may experience alienation or otherwise may find it difficult to access such services.
“People of all faiths, races and cultures are welcome, (without any fear of discrimination) to the services we offer.”
The Children’s Quarter
As it stands, there are 11 million children in England and 1 in 4 who are at risk of social isolation. We are very proud to b…
Learn more
The Children’s Quarter
As it stands, there are 11 million children in England and 1 in 4 who are at risk of social isolation. We are very proud to be members and a part of the wider network of organisations associated with the Children’s Quarter, based in Birmingham. They are committed to offering child and youth-centric community services to those who are at risk of social isolation due to disability, mental ill-health or any other additional needs; as well as supporting their families.
“ALL children deserve the chance of happiness, health and a good future…”
The Mother House Studios
The Mother House Studio model was set up in late 2016 by the Procreate Project, for artists who are mothers, in an ef…
Learn more
The Mother House Studios
The Mother House Studio model was set up in late 2016 by the Procreate Project, for artists who are mothers, in an effort to provide an all encompassing space to work and nurture little ones. It is the perfect space for creatives, freelancers and the likes of entrepreneurs who seek a supportive network, environments to collaborate and engage in professional development. Currently they are located in London Waterloo, Stroud and the White House in Dagenham and are in the process of designing national pilots to take further afield.
“Crucially, children learn about women's roles outside the domestic environment ...The model is a creative yet radical solution to a proven lack of viable provision that sufficiently supports the professional development and well-being of emerging artists during pregnancy and motherhood.”
Pop up Parks
“Pop up Parks is a non-for-profit organisation offering services across public engagement, design intervention and …
Learn more
Pop up Parks
“Pop up Parks is a non-for-profit organisation offering services across public engagement, design intervention and speaking and writing areas.” Set up initially in 2014 to fund project ideas in Lambeth and Southwark to tackle health and well-being challenges. The organisation continues to be inspired by a fast growing global movement bringing imagination, creativity and fun outdoors in unconventional ways within urban built-up areas. According to Play England, only 21% of children in the UK play outdoors in comparison to a more optimistic figure of 71% for their parents. Pop -Up Parks provide the opportunity for whole communities to access open spaces in alternative and exciting ways.
“We transform space through playful invitations”
Harlem Children’s Zone
The Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) is a groundbreaking non-for profit organisation based in New York supporting child…
Learn more
Harlem Children’s Zone
The Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) is a groundbreaking non-for profit organisation based in New York supporting children and young people from early years all the way through to higher education, in an effort to end the cycle of poverty. Since the 1990’s they have expanded from a one-block pilot project to a collective of schools/colleges, social services and community centres. It is now a national model in education, youth and community development offering a plethora of workshops, programmes and intergenerational community programmes.
"An all-encompassing, all-hands-on-deck, anti-poverty effort that is literally saving a generation of children.”
— President Barack Obama
Anorak Magazine
Anorak Magazine is 'the happy mag for kids’ aimed at boys and girls aged between 6 and 12yrs. Unlike magazines of toda…
Learn more
Anorak Magazine
Anorak Magazine is 'the happy mag for kids’ aimed at boys and girls aged between 6 and 12yrs. Unlike magazines of today, their publications are not throw away titles. Just like much loved children’s magazines and annuals of the past they are designed to be collected, kept, handed down and revisited, meaning they keep quality of content and production really high.
The Anorak Press' main philosophy is to encourage children to tap into their imagination, use their creativity to learn and is there to amplify their voices. It has at the core of its offering a passion for great writing and awesome illustrations that can challenge and stimulate.
The Centre for Research in Early Childhood
The Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC) is located in St Thomas Children’s Centre, near Birmingham city centre. I…
Learn more
The Centre for Research in Early Childhood
The Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC) is located in St Thomas Children’s Centre, near Birmingham city centre. It specialises in early childhood research which has relevant and meaningful outcomes for practice and policy.
Some of its research is transformed into training and development programmes designed for the specific needs of the early years sector. Established by Professor Chris Pascal and Professor Tony Bertram, CREC has been working to improve Early Years provision for over 20 years.
The Lego Foundation
The LEGO Foundation aims to build a future where learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, life-lo…
Learn more
The Lego Foundation
The LEGO Foundation aims to build a future where learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, life-long learners. Their work is about challenging the status quo by re-defining play and re-imagining learning. Re-defining play means changing the way people understand the importance of play – especially the huge value it has in helping children learn essential skills for life in the 21st century.
Their focus is on children aged 0-12, with a special emphasis on early childhood where children develop most rapidly, both physically and mentally.
How Brave Is The Wren
How Brave is the Wren is a travelling book shop who stock beautifully-crafted illustrated stories and picture books created b…
Learn more
How Brave Is The Wren
How Brave is the Wren is a travelling book shop who stock beautifully-crafted illustrated stories and picture books created by illustrators and artists that appeal to the young and the young at heart.
Their bespoke caravan shop tours the country visiting markets, festivals and events fully stocked with a fantastical range of adventures ready to inspire young minds. They even visited the last Birmingham Soup event at Impact Hub Birmingham and brought sunshine on a rainy day with space for browsing, reading and even a spot of colouring in.
Parents In Performing Arts Campaign
PIPA aims to campaign for cultural change towards parents in entertainment by highlighting the child-related challenges facin…
Learn more
Parents In Performing Arts Campaign
PIPA aims to campaign for cultural change towards parents in entertainment by highlighting the child-related challenges facing parents working in theatre and on screen and supporting parents in the industry by providing information, help and practical solutions.
"The average wage in the creative industries is £16,575. The average cost of a full time nursery place in London is £14,750. The lack of affordable, flexible childcare and consideration for the needs of families will continue to see huge numbers of parents working in performing arts being forced to leave our Industry." - PIPA
Toy Box Club
Toy Box Club is a monthly subscription service. They provide a box of the best toys and books in the country straight to your…
Learn more
Toy Box Club
Toy Box Club is a monthly subscription service. They provide a box of the best toys and books in the country straight to your door; hand picked and age appropriate. At the end of each month we will simply pick them up and deliver a different set. Less waste, more space.
An awesome idea to save waste and gain space, Toy Box Club state: "A child in Britain has an average of 150 toys, but typically will enjoy playing with just one or two at a time. Does that sound familiar? And how many of your children’s toys are age-appropriate and developmentally relevant?"
Little Village
Little Village provide good quality baby clothes and equipment, donated by families with surplus kit to families who need the…
Learn more
Little Village
Little Village provide good quality baby clothes and equipment, donated by families with surplus kit to families who need these items but can’t afford to buy them.
Operating in Tooting, London they promote sustainable living and make it as easy as possible for local families to support one another.
21st Century Children’s Centres
The idea of 21st Century Children's Centres is presented by Innovation Unit, the leading innovation partner for public s…
Learn more
21st Century Children’s Centres
The idea of 21st Century Children's Centres is presented by Innovation Unit, the leading innovation partner for public services. They express the value of children's centres in helping parents find the support and practical help they need to give their children the best start in life.
In their paper they mention that the most effective children’s centres services are co-produced; an interesting point of reference as we move the #RadicalChildcare project forward.
The Brutalist Playground
Assemble worked in collaboration with artist Simon Terrill to create the Brutalist Playground: an immersive installation that…
Learn more
The Brutalist Playground
Assemble worked in collaboration with artist Simon Terrill to create the Brutalist Playground: an immersive installation that recreated a trio of post-war play structures out of foam.
Designed for the Architecture Gallery at the RIBA, the Brutalist Playground consisted of full size fragments of three distinctive London housing estates: Churchill Gardens in Pimlico, the Brownfield Estate in Poplar, and the Brunel Estate in Paddington. Recasting these concrete and steel playground structures in reconstituted foam allows people to consider their formal characteristics separately from their materiality, and in doing so allow them to be reappraised as places for children to play.
MOCEP
Mother & Child Education Program (MOCEP) is a reciprocal training programme for mother and child. AÇEV has been conducti…
Learn more
MOCEP
Mother & Child Education Program (MOCEP) is a reciprocal training programme for mother and child. AÇEV has been conducting MOCEP in many parts of Turkey in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education & the Social Services, and the Child Protection Agency.
The program was developed to support mothers, who are the very first educators that children come into contact with, acknowledging that with their teaching, children can acquire and develop many different skills such as memory, vocabulary-building, and expressing themselves.
We love the sharing culture on Pinterest, where you can find boards upon boards of ideas for ways to engage babies & todd…
Learn more
We love the sharing culture on Pinterest, where you can find boards upon boards of ideas for ways to engage babies & toddlers. With an emphasis on DIY low-cost activities to keep children occupied and engaged, this community of idea sharing stops parents having to solve similar problems in isolation.
Our favourite finds showcase fun, educational hands-on activities that adults and children can do together, instigating a culture of imaginative problem-solving through making and doing.
TED-Ed
TED-Ed’s commitment to creating lessons worth sharing is an extension of TED’s mission of spreading great ideas. Within T…
Learn more
TED-Ed
TED-Ed’s commitment to creating lessons worth sharing is an extension of TED’s mission of spreading great ideas. Within TED-Ed’s growing library of lessons, you will find carefully curated educational videos, which represent collaborations between expert educators, screenwriters and animators.
TED-Ed lessons are used regularly – in classrooms and homes – to introduce new topics to learners in an exciting, curiosity-inspiring way. We love their high quality creative approach that encourages self-driven learning and a fun approach to building your own well-rounded education.
Code Club
Code Club is a nationwide community of volunteers sharing a passion for digital making with children aged 9-11. They create p…
Learn more
Code Club
Code Club is a nationwide community of volunteers sharing a passion for digital making with children aged 9-11. They create projects to be taught at after school clubs, libraries etc. that teach children how to program by making computer games, animations and websites. In November 2015 Code Club became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Raspberry Pi Foundation with the combined aim of creating a Code Club in every community in the world.
"It’s not just enough for children to know how to use technology. They should know how it works and how to build it too." - Code Club
Reggio Emilia Approach
The Reggio Emilia Approach is an educational philosophy based on the child as a subject of rights who learns and grows throug…
Learn more
Reggio Emilia Approach
The Reggio Emilia Approach is an educational philosophy based on the child as a subject of rights who learns and grows through relationships with others. The principles state that children must have some control over the direction of their learning, be able to learn through experiences of touching, moving, listening, and observing; and have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves.
"Much of the instruction at Reggio Emilia schools takes place in the form of projects where they have opportunities to explore, observe, hypothesise, question, and discuss to clarify their understanding." - Forman, G. (ed. Constructivism: Theory, Perspectives, and Practice)
Capital of Children
The Danish town of Billund was established as the Capital of Children by Billund Municipality and the LEGO Foundation in 2012…
Learn more
Capital of Children
The Danish town of Billund was established as the Capital of Children by Billund Municipality and the LEGO Foundation in 2012, designed as a place where children can learn through play and become creative citizens of the world. A unique Lego house is currently being built there, and the 40-year-old Billund library is being modernised to become a place where children can crawl and climb over the bookshelves, encouraging experimentation, creativity and physical expression through adventures in learning.
We love this project because it explores how we might design a town on children’s terms, with the intent of creating a good place to grow up.
Playing Out CIC
Playing Out is a Community Interest Company set up to activate street play across the UK. Their website acts as a free resour…
Learn more
Playing Out CIC
Playing Out is a Community Interest Company set up to activate street play across the UK. Their website acts as a free resource for anyone who wants children to be able to play out in the streets where they live. It encourages tiny things, like leaving your front door open and saying hi to a neighbour, as well as big community action, like opening up your street for play!
We love this project because 'playing out' allows children to have the space they need to play energetically without being far from home, allowing for semi-supervised play and creating an increase community cohesion.
Playbox
Playbox is a 20ft shipping container, transformed into a mini venue filled with tools for imagination and play. It allows cre…
Learn more
Playbox
Playbox is a 20ft shipping container, transformed into a mini venue filled with tools for imagination and play. It allows creative play for all ages to take place in an area of Leeds where there used to be very little. Playbox provides a fully inclusive service for children of all abilities using traditional and co-operative activities which include team games, face painting, puppets, drama, storytelling and disco.
“Playbox has transformed Charlie Cake Park from a dog exercise park into somewhere that local kids now feel is their space to play. They’ve brought people together and inspired them to use this space again” - Parent
Forest Schools
Forest Schools offer learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop through active learning experiences in a woodland …
Learn more
Forest Schools
Forest Schools offer learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop through active learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees. They use a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education, allowing children to get hands-on in the natural environment.
"Forest School is a feeling you can’t put into words." - Tonicha, aged 9
"I don’t have ADHD when I'm out in the woods." - David, aged 14
Children’s Science Park
The Children's Science Park is a permanent exhibition within the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. Created by iart…
Learn more
Children’s Science Park
The Children's Science Park is a permanent exhibition within the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. Created by iart in partnership with scenographer ATELIER BRÜCKNER, the science park presents a colourful world where children can make flowers bloom, paint trees in seasonal colours or become part of a movie by interacting with its characters.
"In the 'Children Rainbow Land', little visitors can live out their natural curiosity about their environment and get to know phenomena from the nature, environment and technology." - ATELIER BRÜCKNER
Intergenerational Learning Center
The Intergenerational Learning Center (ILC) is an award-winning childcare program located within Providence Mount St. Vincent…
Learn more
Intergenerational Learning Center
The Intergenerational Learning Center (ILC) is an award-winning childcare program located within Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle. Five days a week, children and older adult residents come together in a variety of planned activities such as music, dancing, art, lunch and storytelling.
These activities are of mutual benefit to both generations. Children learn about the aging process & disability and become part of a loving extended family, whilst the older residents have the opportunity to play, laugh and enjoy the spirit and joy that children bring to their home environment.
Accademia dei Bambini
With the opening of a permanent cultural complex in Milan, the Fondazione Prada offers new opportunities to enlarge and enric…
Learn more
Accademia dei Bambini
With the opening of a permanent cultural complex in Milan, the Fondazione Prada offers new opportunities to enlarge and enrich processes of learning. Accademia dei Bambini is their first project dedicated to childhood, presenting free activities and laboratories conducted by a range of different experts: educators, artists, scientists, directors, who not only impart knowledge, but remain open to ideas that children may suggest.
"The result is a space that can take on diverse configurations depending on the programs to be developed inside." - Academia dei Bambini
Risky Play
The Land is an adventure playground in Plas Madoch, Wales that fosters “risky play”, where children over 5 can make, brea…
Learn more
Risky Play
The Land is an adventure playground in Plas Madoch, Wales that fosters “risky play”, where children over 5 can make, break & build their own play space. A radical departure from safety-conscious childproofed spaces, here children can assess risks themselves by climbing a tree, sawing a slab of wood or building fires under guidance from professional playworkers.
"Committing to support child-directed play means relinquishing control and managing your own feelings of discomfort. At its core this is an act of deep respect for the child and their experience." - Erin Davis, Filmmaker of 'The Land' documentary
Logan LaPlante
13-year-old Logan LaPlante is taking a different path in his education. He combines the “hacker mindset” with a network o…
Learn more
Logan LaPlante
13-year-old Logan LaPlante is taking a different path in his education. He combines the “hacker mindset” with a network of do-it-yourself friends, family, and community organisations to optimize his studies for health, happiness, and creativity. He calls it “hackschooling”. We love his TEDx talk on automous education, encompassing body learning & curiosity.
"What if we based education on the study and practice of being happy and healthy? Because that's what it is, a practice. And a simple practice at that." - Logan LaPlante
HackerMoms
The HackerMoms of Berkley, California are an awesome community of makers, doers & learners. Founded in April 2012, Mother…
Learn more
HackerMoms
The HackerMoms of Berkley, California are an awesome community of makers, doers & learners. Founded in April 2012, Mothership HackerMoms is the first-ever women’s hackerspace in the world. They offer onsite childcare through their Hacker Sprouts Kids Education program, and believe that fulfilled women who are learning and using their talents are good for the family, the community and the world.
“Think of us as a mom rescue for lost creative lives and selves put on hold.” - HackerMoms