Little City brings SEND-friendly festive fun to The Galleria in Hatfield
Families with young children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are invited to enjoy a dedicated, inclusive play session as part of Little City East Herts return to The Galleria, Hatfield.
The 45-minute SEND play session will take place on Friday, December 19 at 12pm on the upper floor of the mall, next to Caffè Nero in the Old Gap Unit. The Little City session will allow preschoolers to play safely in a magical Christmas-themed role-play city in a calm, supportive environment.
Little City East Herts owner Leanne Buzec says: “This time of year can be overwhelming for children with special educational needs or disabilities. The constant lights, noise, and general hustle and bustle can be difficult for some children to manage, which is why we offer dedicated SEND sessions to help them relax and play in peace.
"Families and carers can expect an inclusive and welcoming environment, yet calm and nurturing, where children can enjoy interactive role play at their own pace.”
Leanne explains how the SEND sessions differ from usual Little City play sessions.
“We want to make sure that we can support the specific needs of the children who come along. For some, it’s by ensuring there is more space for wheelchair access. For others, it could involve dimming the lights or lowering the music volume. We also limit our numbers, so the play sessions do not feel as busy as usual.
"These might seem like minor adjustments, but they can make a huge difference to those children. We want families to know that we’ll always take those steps to make our play sessions feel as inviting and inclusive as possible.”
Alongside this SEND-exclusive session, Little City East Herts will also offer a range of festive role-play experiences for children between Wednesday 17th and Friday 19th December. The sessions are available for children up to the age of 6 and cost £4.50 per child.
Visitors can expect the whole Little City role-play experience, which includes interactive options such as a veterinary clinic, a café, a hairdresser, and more. However, there will also be additional festive toys & props, ride-on cars, dress-up outfits and festive photo opportunities for families. Pre-booking is recommended, but limited turn-up and play spaces will also be available.
Leanne concludes, “Earlier this year, we held Little City sessions at the Galleria, and they were a huge hit, so we’re really excited to be heading back. We can’t wait to see families and children, and we hope they are as excited by Christmas as we are!
To secure your spot and avoid queues, you can pre-book your Little City session via https://bookwhen.com/littlecityeastherts
For more information about Little City, please visit www.littlecityuk.com