Baby Sensory

Every Wednesday, Whitmore Hall in Orsett hosts two Baby Sensory sessions: 11:00–11:45 and 12:10–12:55, each 45 minutes long. Both are open to babies from birth through to 13 months. The programme works across two developmental stages — birth to six months and seven to thirteen months — so the activities stay relevant as your baby grows through the first year.

For newborns up to three months, the Hello Baby strand offers a gentler starting point. It covers gentle observation of your baby's behavioural cues, comfort techniques for crying and colic, and loving touch including massage and reflexology. You can join one or more of the Hello Baby programmes by contacting the team directly.

The sessions at Whitmore Hall are led by Stevie Knott, whose background is in performing arts and teaching. The franchise is run by Claire Herrtage-Burns, who left a 20-year career with horses to complete Baby Sensory training and begin leading classes. Each session follows a structured plan drawn from a bank of 40 core lesson plans plus 28 seasonal and special event themes — the content shifts week to week rather than repeating itself. Occasional themed sessions add variety; Whitmore Hall hosted a Super Heroes class on a Wednesday in the past.

Within each session, babies move through creative play, tummy time, massage, movement, visual activities, textured objects, and scent exploration, all set to original music composed by Baby Sensory founder Dr Lin Day — including songs such as 'Say Hello to the Sun' and 'Wave Goodbye'. The instruments used in class have been measured to ensure they are not too loud for babies, and the visual display is arranged at the distance a young baby actually focuses. Sessions follow a baby's natural play-rest-play rhythm and close with sounds that mimic the womb to help babies settle. You are welcome to feed or cuddle your baby at any point during the session.