Why attend an Early Days course?

Early Days courses are an opportunity for new parents to come and talk in a safe, confidential setting to other new parents about the changes they are experiencing and the issues they are facing on a daily basis. It is the chance to ask questions, exchange information and top tips, share experiences and help build confidence in the decisions taken as a parent.

Facilitated discussions mean there are no right or wrong answers, but an occasion to explore different options and think about the decisions and their subsequent consequences you may face as a parent in the coming year. For example;

• Which childcare option suits us best?
• How can we maintain a friendship with people who don’t have children?
• How can we find time for us- as individuals and as a couple?
• When should we think about having another child?

Early Days groups often provide attendees with a fantastic support network and a set of friends who you can meet with outside of an Early Days setting.

All of our courses are facilitated by an NCT trained facilitator who has undergone two years of training in postnatal discussion group leadership and who will have a diploma of Higher Education validated by the University of Bedfordshire.

At the beginning of the course the group decides on the following weeks agenda and are free to choose topics relevant to them. Often these can include: birth stories, changing relationships, dealing with advice, the ‘perfect mother’, physical and emotional changes and finding time for you.

If you would like to find out about courses in your area, please go to the course finder on the NCT home page. You can also e-mail our Liverpool bookings administrator on bookings2c@nct.org.uk or phone her on 0844 243 6969 to discuss what options are available for you.

Early Days Course Aims

Whilst each individual will gain something different from attending an Early Days course, overall the NCT aims that every attendee will:

• Feel that there is a ‘safe’ environment which will allow them to comfortably discuss issues which they may not be able to elsewhere
• Be able to discuss issues of concern which will be listened to and supported by a neutral facilitator
• Meet other new parents and to develop a support network for each other
• Share ideas, stories and tips which will encourage a sense of bonding amongst the group
• Understand that there are many ways to approach parenthood
• Increase their confidence in the decisions that they make and will do so in the future regarding parenthood.

What people have said about past courses

........It's so true when people say nothing can prepare you for motherhood. Early Days was a great way to meet other "newbies" who are going through the same things and share our experiences. Kate, the facilitator, was fab and covered a variety of thought-provoking topics - She also baked a mean brownie.... Jo

"Early Days was invaluable to me during my baby's first weeks and months. I would recommend it to all Mums as a wonderful follow on to the NCT antenatal course." Caroline

" I would recommend the Early Days course to any new mum and babies. Not only was it an opportunity to meet other Mums but also a safe haven to have an open but confidential discussion about topics around becoming a new Mum. It became a definite highlight of the week." Lizzie

 Babies are welcome to come along and play, gurgle and cry as they see fit, and there will be blankets and toys suitable for their age group. There are also toilet and changing facilities as well as a microwave or hot water for heating food/ bottles and comfy chairs for feeding.

If you want to ask anything about the above or book a place on the next course contact me, Kate Bedding on 0151 7244822, 07527182465 or postnatalkate@gmail.com or Steph -Bookings Clerk on bookings2c@nct.org.uk or 0844 2436969