Finding SEND-friendly playgroups in Surrey can feel like a full-time job in itself, especially when you’re trying to balance routines, appointments, siblings, and the emotional load that comes with supporting a child with additional needs.
At Fun & Play, we’re not therapists, we’re mums who spend a lot of time learning, listening to specialists, and sharing what’s genuinely helpful for families like ours. This guide is here to make things easier: a list of welcoming, inclusive sessions where your child can be themselves, and you can breathe for a moment too.
Below you’ll find SEND-friendly playgroups in Surrey and nearby areas, with a mix of specialist groups, sensory Stay & Play sessions, and weekend clubs.
Quick picks: what type of session do you need today? ✨
For babies & preschoolers (0–5):
- Sensory Stay & Play (Farnham)
- Mini Meadows Stay & Play (Godalming)
- SENDsory Play (Guildford)
- YMCA Rainbow Group (Horley)
- Welcare One Step at a Time (Redhill)
- The Children’s Trust “Taddies” (Tadworth)
For school-aged children (5–12):
- YMCA Yippee Clubs (multiple locations)
- LinkAble Saturday/Sunday Play (Woking + Esher)
- White Lodge Sunday Club (Walton-on-Thames)
SEND-friendly playgroups in Surrey by day of the week
Monday
🌈 SENDsory Play – Guildford Family Centre (Guildford)
Ages: 0–5 | When: Monday 10:00–11:30 | Cost: Free | Type: SEND specialist
A calm, sensory-focused Stay & Play with experienced staff and a supportive feel.
🌐 Learn more
👣 Welcare – One Step at a Time (Redhill)
Ages: 0–4 | When: Monday 12:30–14:00 | Cost: Suggested donation (£1 encouraged) | Type: SEND specialist
A welcoming space with toys, sensory play and early years support.
🌐 Learn more
Tuesday
🧸 Pop Along Heroes (Chertsey)
Ages: All ages | When: Tuesday 10:30–13:00 (term time) | Cost: Free (donations welcome) | Type: SEND specialist
A warm, supportive stay-and-play specifically for families of children with additional needs.
🌐 Learn more
🌟 YMCA – Rainbow Group (Horley)
Ages: 0–4 | When: Tuesday 10:30–12:00 (term time) | Cost: Free | Type: SEND specialist
A lovely option if you’d benefit from meeting other parents and accessing advice from an Early Support Keyworker.
🌐 Learn more
🧠 Sensory Stay & Play – Hale Family Centre (Farnham)
Ages: 0–4 | When: Tuesday 9:30–11:00 | Cost: Free | Type: SEND specialist
Gentle sensory play with mats, lights, textures and a calmer set-up for little ones who need it.
🌐 Learn more
Wednesday
🌿 Mini Meadows Stay & Play – Loseley Family Centre (Godalming)
Ages: 0–4 | When: Wednesday 10:00–11:30 | Cost: Free | Type: SEND specialist
A nurturing SEND-specialist session with sensory resources and a calmer environment.
🌐 Learn more
Friday
🎭 Yorda Playhouse – SEND After School Family Session (Chessington)
Ages: 0–16 | When: Friday 15:30–17:30 | Cost: Paid | Type: SEND specialist
A sensory-rich environment designed for SEND children and young people. Great for after school, and siblings can join too.
🌐 Learn more
🧸 The Children’s Trust School – Taddies (Tadworth)
Ages: 0–4 | When: Friday 10:00–12:00 (term time) | Cost: Free | Type: SEND specialist
A brilliant early years option with specialist support and a very parent-friendly feel.
🌐 Learn more
Saturday
🎉 LinkAble – Saturday Play (Woking)
Ages: 5–11 | When: Saturday 9:30–15:30 (term time) | Cost: Paid | Type: SEND specialist
A supportive weekend club with creative activities and outings. Registration required and a waiting list may apply.
🌐 Learn more
💛 YMCA Yippee Clubs (Multiple locations)
Ages: 5–11 | When: Saturdays 10:00–16:00 (term time) | Cost: Paid | Type: SEND specialist
A structured Saturday club with trained staff and a nurturing environment. Locations include:
Sunday
🧩 LinkAble – Sunday Play (Esher)
Ages: 5–12 | When: Sunday 10:15–15:15 (twice a month) | Cost: Paid | Type: SEND specialist
Fortnightly sessions with activities and support ratios available. Registration required and a waiting list may apply.
🌐 Learn more
🌟 White Lodge Centre – Sunday Club (Walton-on-Thames)
Ages: 4–12 | When: Sunday 10:00–15:00 (twice per month) | Cost: Paid (concessions available) | Type: SEND specialist + Local Offer noted
A vibrant Sunday club with crafts, cooking, music, games and themed events, designed for children with disabilities/autism.
🌐 Learn more
Final thoughts – SEND-friendly playgroups in Surrey
Finding SEND-friendly playgroups in Surrey can take time, and it’s completely normal if you try a few sessions before you find your people and the right environment for your child. Some families need calm, sensory-first spaces. Others need movement, outdoors, or a more structured club with trained staff. There’s no “best” option, just what works for your child right now.
If you’re feeling nervous about turning up somewhere new, start small: message ahead, arrive a few minutes early, and give yourself permission to leave whenever you need to. These sessions exist because families deserve spaces that feel welcoming, understanding, and non-judgemental, and we really hope this guide makes it easier to find the SEND-friendly playgroups in Surrey that help your child thrive (and give you a little breathing room too). 💛
FAQs – SEND-friendly playgroups in Surrey
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Are these sessions suitable if my child doesn’t have a diagnosis yet?
Many SEND-friendly playgroups in Surrey welcome families with additional needs broadly, not just formal diagnoses. If you’re unsure, it’s always okay to contact the organiser.
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Are any of these SEND-friendly playgroups in Surrey free?
Yes, several are free or donation-based, including Pop Along Heroes (Chertsey), SENDsory Play (Guildford), Hale Family Centre sensory session (Farnham), Loseley Family Centre (Godalming), YMCA Rainbow Group (Horley), and Taddies (Tadworth).
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Do I need to book?
Often yes for the specialist clubs LinkAble sessions require registration and may have a waiting list.
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