Parenting Programme

It's no secret that being a new parent can come with a lot of happiness & its fair share of challenges! Adjusting to your new life, new routine & a new baby can be a daunting task that is sure to raise many questions. At Space you and your baby will connect with other new parents & their babies starting between 0 - 4 months old, to explore parenting & your children's development in a safe, facilitated environment. You will meet weekly with other new parents to share your experience and form connections that will last well into your parenting journey.

Courses run for 2 terms (20 weeks) and are held at St Oswalds, Cnr Featherston St & Kingswood St, Palmerston North. We require babies to be between 0 and 4 months when beginning the programme. Due to the popularity of this programme and space limitations priority is given to first time parents.

2026 Pricing: $100 per course or $70 per course with Community Services Card.

2026 Course Dates:

  • Mondays 10am - 12pm (Term 2 & 3 2026 - currently full).

  • Mondays 1pm - 3pm (Term 3 & 4 2026 - currently full).

  • Tuesdays 10am - 12pm (Term 3 & 4 2026 - spots available for babies born April - July 2026). Register here.

  • Mondays 10am - 12pm (Term 4 2026 & Term 1 2027 - spots available for babies born August - October 2026). Register here.

Registrations are available here or by clicking on the course links above.

Places are limited to 15 parents and spots fill very quickly, so we would encourage you to register as soon as possible. If the course you’re interested in is full please be sure to join our waitlist by filling in this form, or email space@citymission.co.nz for more info. We will contact you if a place becomes available.

At Space we will explore music & movement, rhymes, books & a variety of play experiences. We will discover ways to support & extend your baby's learning & development, including ideas & opportunities for play experiences at home.

Topics discussed may include:

  • Sleeping & crying

  • Establishing attachment

  • The beauty of the brain (brain development & early experiences)

  • Expressing myself (communication & language development)

  • Treasure baskets, heuristic play & exploration of play

  • Physical development (fine & big muscle co-ordination)

  • Being with others (socialisation)