Toddler Sense
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder | Lin Day |
Area served | United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, China, India |
| Parent | WOW World Group |
| Website | toddlersense |
Toddler Sense is a registered British educational programme that integrates research-based methodologies to support children’s learning and development in the early years. Founded in 2003 by Lin Day, the programme operates worldwide, offering classes designed to foster cognitive, physical, and social development in young children. Toddler Sense operates under the WOW World Group, which encompasses related programmes such as Baby Sensory and Hello Baby.
History
Lin Day, a British Doctor of Biomedical Sciences, educationalist, song writer and author, created Toddler Sense as a follow-on from her teaching experiences at her school, Woodford Nursery School in Salisbury, Wiltshire.[1]
All activities, including music, movement, building, bouncing, storytelling, practical life exercises, and adventure themes were based on Lin’s previous experiences and training, and were incorporated in the Toddler Sense programme.
Educational Philosophy and Pedagogy
Toddler Sense was developed for children aged 13 months to 5 years, emphasising multi-sensory activities to encourage children to exercise and have fun through adventure play. The programme is a natural progression for children who have outgrown Baby Sensory.[2][3] Lin was highly influenced by Maria Montessori and her approach to learning through practical life experiences involving hands-on activities to enhance coordination, problem-solving, and creativity.[1]
Toddler Sense sessions vary weekly over a two-year period and include multi-sensory activity themes such as sea life, safari, nature, jungle play, dragons and dinosaurs, space, and construction.
Toddler Sense incorporates various educational tools, many of which originated from Lin Day’s nursery school. Products include story and colouring books, soft play items, Sea and Jungle Cloths, Rope Snake, Jingle Ring, Play Band, songs and music integral to the programme, and soft toy Tod, the programme mascot. Tod brings a unique dimension to Toddler Sense through fun, interactive activities and adventure play.
Lin Day is a recognised feature writer on all aspects of baby and toddler learning and development in Early Years Educator, Journal of Health Visiting, Grandparent Hub and numerous other publications. Lin is also a frequent speaker at conferences and training events.
Toddler Sense has been recognised in media outlets such as the BBC and ITV and has contributed to articles published in the Early Years Educator (EYE) between 2008 – 2015.
Awards
Toddler Sense and its affiliated programmes have received several awards including:
- Whats On 4 Kids - Best Children's Party Entertainment - Toddler Sense (2011)
- What’s On 4 Kids - (International) Best Exported Activity for Children - Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense (2013)
- Tommy’s - Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense - Tommy’s Community Diamond Award (2015, 2017)
- What’s On 4 Kids - Best Exported Activity for Children - Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense (2014, 2015)
- What’s On 4 Kids - Best Franchised/ Licenced Pre-Schooler Activity more than 50 Franchisees/ Licensees - Toddler Sense (2018, 2019)
- What’s On 4 Kids - Best Physical Activity Provider more than 35 franchisees - Toddler Sense (2020)
- What’s On 4 Kids - Best Physical Activity Provider more than 15 franchisees - Toddler Sense (2021, 2022, 2023)
Philanthropy
Toddler Sense supports charitable initiatives, particularly through its partnership with Tommy’s, a national baby charity. Toddler Sense and Baby Sensory Sensathon events have funded research into pregnancy and neonatal care. From 2014 to 2024, Toddler Sense and Baby Sensory have raised nearly £2 million for Tommy’s.[4][5][6] In addition, over £26,000 has been raised for Caudwell Children in association with the Wow World Group as part of Children’s Activity Week.[7][8][9]
References
- ^ a b Costa, Monica (2019-11-08). "#Toddler years' study: Dealing with Explosive #ToddlerTantrums in Public is Biggest Fear for One Third of UK Parents who Feel 'Judged' via @ToddlerSenseUK". London Mums Magazine. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ "Enterprising ex-teachers look to grow baby and toddler businesses at Darlington Arena". The Northern Echo. 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ "Helping your child grow". Times of Malta. 2014-02-16. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ May, Melanie (2022-09-12). "Ascona supports DofE activity, & other corporate fundraising news". UK Fundraising. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ "Record fundraising from Baby Sensory could fund a Tommy's research centre for over a year". www.whichfranchise.com. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ "Record Fundraising from Baby Sensory Could Fund a Tommy's Research Centre for Over a Year". Toddle About. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ "Staggering Fundraising from Baby Sensory & Toddler Sense Classes to Fund Tommy's Pregnancy Research Centre for Over a Year - West Sussex". 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ "That makes Toddler Sense! Wakefield babies and toddlers raise more than £15K for Tommy's charity". Wakefield Express. 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ May, Melanie (2024-07-16). "Edinburgh venue teams up with Scottish charity for Fringe, plus more partnership news". UK Fundraising. Retrieved 2025-08-11.