Baby Sensory
Baby Sensory classes for babies aged 0–13 months run on Tuesdays at Arena Church, 1 Rutland Street, Ilkeston, across three sessions — two in the morning and one early afternoon — led by class leader Laura Gadsby as part of the Baby Sensory Derby franchise.
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About this class
Every Tuesday in term time, Arena Church on Rutland Street in Ilkeston hosts Baby Sensory sessions for ages from birth to 13 months, run by Laura Gadsby — class leader for the Baby Sensory Derby franchise, which covers Ilkeston, Melbourne and Chester Green. Three slots are available: a mixed-ages class at 10:00–11:00, a dedicated younger babies session (0–6 months) at 11:30–12:30, and a further mixed-ages slot at 13:00–14:00. That spread of times gives families a reasonable chance of landing a slot that works around naps and feeds.
Sessions follow the programme developed by Dr Lin Day — a researcher with post-graduate work in biomedical science at the University of Southampton and over 40 years of experience in nursing, special education and early childhood development. Each hour is structured around a baby's natural play-rest-play cycle, moving through creative play, movement, tummy time, textures, scents and music. The instruments used are measured to ensure they sit within a safe decibel level for young ears, and the visual displays are arranged at the distance a young baby actually focuses on. Sessions include sensory signing activities designed to help parents and babies begin communicating from birth. Every class closes by mimicking the sounds of the womb to settle babies gently. With 40 core lesson plans and a further 28 seasonal and special event plans, the content shifts week to week.
For newborns up to around three months, the Hello Baby sub-programme runs alongside the main classes. It covers three distinct strands: observation (learning to read your baby's behavioural cues and understand their abilities and sensitivities), a crying, colic and comfort workshop covering the main causes of colic and techniques that can reduce crying, and a massage session drawing on baby massage, reflexology, yoga and sensory integration. Parents are welcome to feed or cuddle their baby at any point during a session.
When it runs
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Common questions
What ages are the classes at Arena Church suitable for?
The programme runs from birth to 13 months, split into two developmental stages: birth to six months and seven to thirteen months. The 11:30–12:30 session on Tuesdays is specifically for younger babies (0–6 months); the 10:00 and 13:00 sessions welcome mixed ages across the full 0–13 month range.
How do I book and what does it cost?
Classes run in term-time blocks priced at £58.00. To check availability and arrange a visit, contact Laura Gadsby through the Baby Sensory Derby page at babysensory.com/derby. The WOW World Group's find-a-class tool at wowworldgroup.com/find-a-class also lists current sessions — search by postcode or town.
What actually happens during a session?
Each hour-long class is built around a baby's natural play-rest-play cycle and weaves together movement, massage, tummy time, textures, scents, visual stimulation and music — including original songs composed by Dr Lin Day for the programme. Every session includes a Bonding Time segment, an Exploratory Play Area, and sensory signing activities intended to help babies and parents start communicating from birth. Sessions close with womb sounds to settle babies at the end.
My baby is only a few weeks old — is that too young?
No. The Hello Baby strand is designed specifically for ages from birth to 13 months to three months and focuses on understanding newborn cues, comfort techniques for crying and colic, and gentle massage drawing on reflexology, yoga and sensory integration. It sits alongside the main Baby Sensory programme rather than replacing it.
Do I need to time feeds around the class?
No. Parents are welcome to feed or cuddle their baby at any point during the session.
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