Sunderland Libraries is launching new weekly ‘Childminder Stay & Play’ sessions for children aged 0 to 4 and their carers, starting on Monday, 2 March 2026, in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. These sessions are designed to provide childminders and parents with free social time and activities in the city’s recently upgraded library facilities.
According to Sunderland Libraries, the events will take place every week starting at 9:45 AM at both Houghton and Washington libraries. The programme is scheduled to run throughout the spring, with sessions currently listed until 30 April 2026.
The sessions aim to help young children develop social skills while providing a regular routine for local childcare providers, addressing a specific need for networking spaces among childminders. The initiative is supported by Together for Children, which works in partnership with the council to provide early years support across the city.
Both the Houghton and Washington library branches were chosen for these sessions following a refurbishment project supported by £230,000 in government funding. This investment has transformed the buildings into ‘Creative Smart City Hubs’ with modern community spaces designed to support early years development and digital access.
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