FOR SARAH Graham, work does not feel like work at all.
What began as a parent attending sessions with her first child soon turned into a career she describes as “the best job ever.”
Sarah leads Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense classes at Ashton-under-Lyne’s WOW Centre every week and is approaching her third year.
And one of the most rewarding parts of her role is watching children reach important milestones.
“I joined Baby Sensory and the WOW Centre company 14 years ago after having my first child,” Sarah explained.
“I came as a parent first and absolutely loved the programme.
“A year later, I crossed paths with the lady who had it previously and it was my time to come aboard and join the Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense family.
“I get to see them achieve milestones from rolling over, doing tummy time and crawling.
“Then when they get to Toddler Sense, they start to walk and some of them start running!
“It’s about building on those next milestones, developing confidence, socialising and encouraging imaginative play.”
Music plays a huge role in every session at the centre on Mossley Road.
One of the secrets to the programme’s success is variety. Every week brings a brand-new adventure.
Sarah added: “We do lots of singing and dancing, which helps build and complement speech and language development.
“Children learn through singing in rhythm to the music, joining in with actions and imitating their parents through repeated movements.
“We have a new theme every week that brings an element of surprise for our toddlers, babies and parents to join in and have a little bit of fun.”
Each theme has been carefully researched and designed by Dr Lin Day, founder of Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense, to support children’s developmental needs while keeping sessions engaging and memorable.
One recent session transported families to Barcelona as part of a special fundraising programme supporting Tommy’s, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby charity.
“We support Tommy’s every two years and Dr Lin Day writes a completely new programme,” Sarah said. “Today it’s all about Barcelona.”
During the session, children joined Tod, Baby Poppy and their dog Pip on an imaginary journey through the Spanish city.
Activities included drumming, dancing beneath colourful ribbon canopies, taking part in a lantern parade and enjoying a magical shadow puppet show.
Across the country, Baby Sensory, Toddler Sense and WOW Centres are working together to raise £500,000 for Tommy’s Charity through special fundraising activities.
While the themes change every week, from superheroes and the Wild West to cowboys, cabaret and international adventures, routine remains an important part of each session.
“Babies and toddlers thrive on that nice, gentle approach of routine,” Sarah explained. “With Toddler Sense, the first half of the session encourages free play, where we’re focusing on physical development.
“We follow a routine of free play, tidy-up time, structured theme play and then finish with our goodbye song.”
Sarah currently runs Toddler Sense sessions on Monday, Thursday and Friday at the WOW Centre, alongside Baby Sensory sessions on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. A further Baby Sensory venue operates in Denton on Wednesdays.
Despite the packed schedule and boundless energy required, Sarah wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I have the best job ever,” she said. “Why would you not want to smile and dance all day?
“When you get feedback from the babies, toddlers and parents joining in, it’s just amazing. They keep my energy going.”
And while the children may have endless enthusiasm, Sarah admits she has a little secret of her own for keeping pace.
“A latte and a biscuit or chocolate never hurts!”
Further information about Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense and be found at https://www.toddlersense.com/tameside/meet-the-team