Number Train Wetherby, Harrogate & Knaresborough
Looking for preschool maths classes in Wetherby, Harrogate or Knaresborough? Number Train is an award-winning preschool programme created to help children grow in confidence, learn new skills, and prepare for school, through music, making, movement and maths!
Aimed at children from around 2.5 years upwards, our classes are designed and delivered by experienced primary school teachers, ensuring children develop confidence with numbers, whilst building the skills that will help them thrive when they start school.
“I’m a nanny and I think number train is THE best class for preschool children.”
About our Wetherby, Harrogate & Knaresborough classes
Across Wetherby Harrogate and Knaresborough, we hold the following classes:
Further details on each venue, including parking information, can be found in the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
We also offer classes in the following nearby areas: North East Leeds, Horsforth, Otley, Ilkley and the surrounding areas, North Bradford, Wakefield and Stockton-on-Tees.
Meet the Wetherby, Harrogate & Knaresborough Number Train Driver
I’m Rachel, the Number Train driver for Wetherby and Harrogate and surrounding areas. I grew up and lived in Moortown, North Leeds, until I left in 2002 to study Primary Education at Sheffield Hallam University. After graduating, I returned to live in North Leeds and worked at the same Primary School in South Leeds, for 20 years, teaching a range of year groups from Year 1 to Year 6.
When the opportunity came along for me to join Annette (Number Train founder) and be part of the Number Train team I just knew I wanted to help children feel passionate about maths and provide them with the basic maths skills before they start school.
As well as being a primary school teacher, I am a parent of 3 girls and a former passenger, who once attended Number Train classes with my own preschooler and experience all the benefits of the class first hand! I wish I’d found the class sooner. Luckily a friend recommended the class to me and I was able to attend for a year, with my youngest!
“Number Train is a fantastic preschool class and I can’t recommend it highly enough… I’m already planning on moving working days around so my 1 year old can attend when old enough!”
Why local families choose Number Train
Number Train is a unique fun and educational class with an interactive maths focus for all preschoolers aged 2.5 years+ in Harrogate, Wetherby, Knaresborough and surrounding areas.
Every session is carefully planned and delivered by very experienced local primary school teachers, with the aim to build strong foundations in the early years by engaging children in learning through a whole range of activities such as focused hands- on maths activities, singing, dancing, games and art and craft.
Every week the children board an imaginary train and visit a different destination, learning maths without realising as it is dripped in discreetly. Children love coming each week and finding out where the train is taking us to. We travel around the world to places such as the farm, seaside, zoo, space, under the sea, Australia… the list goes on!
We learn about a range of numeracy topics including numbers, counting, addition, subtraction, shape, position, direction and measures through fun and creative. themed and interactive adventures.
Having previously been a primary school teacher in Leeds for 20 years, I came across so many children anxious and disliking maths from a young age and this was usually a result of the children having poor basis skills. Maths is a compulsory subject throughout the majority of our education system and because it begins at such an early age, the challenges some children face in numeracy at the very start can go on to develop into negative concerns about maths that continue throughout their entire school experience.
Number Train is the perfect class for preschoolers as one of our main aims is to help prepare children for starting school. The format of each session is a teacher and class dynamic so without realising it, children develop classroom skills such as sharing, following instructions, working with other children, demonstrating tasks to the rest of the class while also working on children’s resilience, perseverance and confidence.
Parents and carers play a huge part in education and their child’s learning journey. As well as providing you with special 1-1 time to interact with your child, we use the sessions to share useful ideas, educational terminology and to model how to teach your child in a fun way.
What local families say about Number Train
“My 3 year old has loved going to Number Train (I only wish we could come more often!). The class has had such a positive impact on my 3 year olds understanding of numbers – he is now counting to 100 and beyond! Rachel is an amazing teacher who takes the time to engage with each child and involve everyone in the class.”
“I’m a nanny and I think number train is THE best class for preschool children. I have brought 2 different families I have cared for to number train and recommended it to so many more.
I specifically wanted to come to number train with my current nanny family because Rachel is such an engaging leader and her classes are amazing.
We Love Number Train!”
“My 4 year old has been attending classes for a few months now and absolutely loves them. We were struggling to find something engaging enough for her as she was seemingly getting too old for a lot of the classes out there. Rachel is great at keeping the kids engaged with the interactive themes each week, my child follows her around like a shadow! As well as the interactive session, there is a themed craft and free play at the end which all the kids love.
The way the numbers / numicon is repeated and taught are really successful, it has really helped her recognition and recall and I know has set her up ready for school this year. Highly recommended for any preschoolers!”
To see what else parents and carers have to say about Number Train, please visit our gallery and testimonials page, or click here to view our Google profile where we have over 100 five star reviews.
“Rachel is great at keeping the kids engaged with the interactive themes each week, my child follows her around like a shadow!”
FAQs
Where can I attend classes in Wetherby, Harrogate & Knaresborough?
Number Train currently holds classes at the following venues:
Collingham Memorial Hall
Main Street
Collingham
Leeds
LS22 5AS
The Little Bees (formerly Kidzplay)
Beech Avenue
Harrogate
HG2 8DS
FREE entry to soft play included in every session!
Sicklinghall Village Hall
Main Street
Sicklinghall
LS22 4AU
St Mark’s Church
Leeds Rd
Harrogate
HG2 8AY
Is parking available?
Collingham Memorial Hall LS22 5AS
There is a large carpark onsite and plenty of parking in the surrounding residential streets.
The Little Bees Harrogate (formerly Kidzplay) HG2 8DS
There is a large carpark onsite and plenty of parking in the surrounding residential streets.
Sicklinghall Village Hall LS22 4AU
There is a large carpark onsite. The village hall is on the main road and can be easily missed.
What days and times do classes run?
Across Wetherby, Harrogate & Knaresborough, we run classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. A full list of venues and timings for my classes can be seen above, or please visit our Train Timetable for a full list of classes across the region.
Alternatively, other nearby classes take place in North East Leeds, Horsforth, Otley, Ilkley and the surrounding areas, North Bradford, Wakefield and Stockton-on-Tees.
How old does my child need to be to join Number Train?
Number Train was originally designed for children aged 3 years+ however over the last few years, several children have started when they were 2 and a half years old, and attended until starting school. As all children develop differently, it is up to each individual parent to decide if their child is ready, so by coming along to a trial session, parents can decide for themselves.
Can siblings attend?
Yes, you are welcome to bring a younger sibling along, and if they are under 2 years old, they may attend free of charge. Siblings over 2 years old are charged at 50% of the normal fees.
Due to limited capacity rules, please let me know in advance if you intend to bring a younger sibling so I can account for them in my total numbers. Please note, it is the parent’s responsibility to watch younger siblings, as there may be toys/ small items which the older child use and must be kept out of reach.
What happens at a typical Number Train session?
Our sessions use a combination of familiar structural elements and new material to help children build confidence. Every session starts with our welcome routine, and then children use clues to guess that week’s destination. Every week will be a different theme, ranging from the land of the dinosaurs to a busy bakery, with bespoke activities designed around each theme.
We understand that different children learn, and play, differently, so every session will combine physical activities with more focused tasks. By using dynamic ‘brain break’ activities, children get to use their bodies and burn off some energy, helping them to engage in tasks that require more attention.
Some activities will involve the whole class, some might have the children working in small group or teams, or some will be working on their own with their adult. Approaching tasks in a range of different ways helps prepare the children for school, and builds important skills like following instructions independently, taking turns, or speaking in front of a group.
Every class also includes an art activity, where children will be guided through creating a themed piece in class that they can take home with them at the end. Children love being able to share what they’ve done with their friends and family, and you won’t have to worry about tidying up the mess after!
The Number Train programme has been developed in line with the current EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) curriculum, giving the children (and parents!) the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the concepts and terminology that will be used at school. So if you haven’t heard of number bonds, or can’t remember what subitising means, jump on the train and we’ll bring you up to date with the skills you need to support your child’s learning!
Do you offer trial sessions?
Yes – we encourage parents to book a trial session to see if the class is right for your child. Trial sessions can be easily booked online, and there is no obligation to sign up afterwards.
To book your trial, please click here or contact us to find out more.
Do parents stay during the session?
Yes, Number Train is designed so adults can participate together with their child, offering support and encouragement. Parents often mention how much they learn alongside their children and leave with lots of ideas to try at home!
Can my child join mid-term?
Yes, you can join Number Train at any time, however, the ideal time to start is September when we start the programme. As the year goes on, we build on concepts we learn in the earlier sessions (for example, moving from counting to 10 to counting to 20) but we are able to cater to children of all ages and abilities so it’s never too late to join!
Getting in touch a few months in advance is always worthwhile as certain classes fill very quickly in the Autumn term. To view availability for your area, click here.
I’m interested in Number Train, but my child attends nursery the days you run sessions. Is there any other way I can attend?
Number Train is working with the following nurseries in your area, so please contact them directly to register your interest in joining a session:
- Nippers Nursery Knaresborough
- Kids Planet Knaresborough
- Cub Modern Nursery Wetherby
- Cherry Tree Montessori Linton
- Tiddlywinks Boroughbridge
- Penny Pot Nursery Harrogate
- Pannal Busy Bees
- Mud and Puddles Harrogate
- Smartie Land Harrogate
- Kids at Heart Harrogate
Alternatively, if your childcare setting does not currently offer Number Train sessions, please feel free to send us a message and we can contact them to see if they would like to run Number Train classes within their usual hours.
Number Train offers classes covering a wide range of days and times, so if you cannot see any that suit you in my area, we also run classes in the following nearby locations: North East Leeds, Horsforth, Otley, Ilkley and the surrounding areas, North Bradford, Wakefield and Stockton-on-Tees.
For more information, please visit our Number Train FAQs page
or contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.