Free parenting support courses for families with children aged 2 -11
We all need a little support at times when it comes to looking after children. In Central Bedfordshire, free support courses are available for parents and carers of children aged 2 to 11.
The Parenting Puzzle programme helps you build strategies to reduce the stress of parenting and prepare your children for school. It’s also a great place to meet other parents and carers in your area.
Parenting Puzzle runs throughout the academic year (September to July) at local children’s centre across Central Bedfordshire.
Courses available
Four-week Parenting Puzzle workshop
All sessions are free of charge. Those who book on to the course are welcome to attend alone or come with a partner, relative or friend.
The two-hour sessions, which run over four weeks, cover a broad range of topics such as:
- the emotional well-being of parents, carers, and their children
- understanding behaviour, listening skills, communication, praise, and encouragement
- praise and guidance vs. criticism, child-led play, and positive moments
- boundaries, parenting styles, time to calm down, dealing with stress and conflict
- choices, consequences, behaviour to ignore, putting the puzzle together and looking after yourself
Ten-week Parenting Puzzle Nurturing Programme
This free programme delves into parenting in more detail, the two-hour per week sessions, running over ten weeks, focus on:
- empowering parents and carers to build positive relationships with their children
- understanding why children behave as they do
- recognising the feelings behind behaviours (yours and your child’s)
- exploring different approaches to discipline
- finding ways to develop co-operation and self-discipline in children
- learning the importance of looking after yourself
Book your place
Sessions are held at local venues or children’s centres across Central Bedfordshire. Enquiries and bookings should be made directly with each centre through email or telephone.
Four-week course bookings
The four-week course will be held at the following locations.
Houghton Regis
Starting on 10 June 2026, running on Wednesday mornings from 9.30am to 11.30am at Tithe Farm Site, Tithe Farm Road, LU5 5JB.
Email: houghtonregis.childrencentre@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 300 8115 or 0300 300 8129
Ten-week course bookings
The ten-week course will be held at the following locations.
Flitwick
Starting on 13 April, running on Monday mornings from 9:30am to 11:30am at St Marys Church, The Green, Marston Moreteyne, MK43 0NF.
Email: flitwick.childrencentre@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 300 8111
Leighton Buzzard
Starting on 16 April 2026, running on Thursday afternoons from 12.45pm to 2.45pm at Leighton Buzzard Children's Centre, Rushmere Park Academy, East Street, LU7 1EW.
Email: lbcc@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 300 8880
Dunstable
Starting on 22 April 2026, running on Wednesday afternoons from 12.45pm to 2.45pm at Lancot Lower School, Lancot Avenue, LU6 2AP.
Email: dunstablechildrenscentre@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 300 8104
Sandy and Biggleswade
Starting on 22 April 2026, running on Wednesday afternoons from 1pm - 3pm at Potton Primary School, Mill Lane, Potton, SG19 2PG..
Email: sandy.childrenscentre@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 300 8114 or 0300 300 8134
Shefford and Stotfold
Starting on 27 April 2026, running on Monday mornings from 9.15am to 11.15am at Shefford Lower School, School Lane, SG17 5XA.
Email: shefford.childrencentre@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 300 8112