Darlington Baby Classes & Toddler Classes

Meet the team

Ali Harrison

I have owned Hartbeeps in Darlington since July 2018. I am a busy mum of two very busy boys George and Samuel! When I had George 7 years ago, we filled our days with so many classes, my maternity leave was amazingly full, of fun and friends. When I had my youngest son, there seemed to be a real lack of classes for us to do, which lead me to Hartbeeps!! I initially started teaching 3 classes per week, just me...and word very quickly spread.

Fast forward to 2020 - my first team member joined me (Sam), and as we move into 2022 we are now fabulous team of 7!

I have a real passion for what I do and there are no better feelings for me, than watching the magic on a childs face, seeing babies "firsts" in class, watching a parent relax into class when they realise they truly aren't alone, that they are safe and supported with us. Its just the BEST!

Sam Skelton

I'm Sam, 35 and married to Mark, with 3 gorgeous children. 2 boys, Oliver is 16 and Joel is 12, and Nancy who is nearly 2!

We went to our first Hartbeeps class when Nancy was 6 weeks old and it was the BEST thing we ever did!

I have been working with Ali since October 2020

Look forward to meeting you

Lots of love

Sam xx

Sophie Waller

I’m Sophie, a 33 years young mummy of two. My gorgeous little boys are: Harry who is 2years old and Zachary who is 4months old. I’m a wifey and dog mummy too.

I moved up to Darlington from the Midlands in 2014 after meeting the hubby while working on cruise ships! I then worked in nurseries until Harry came along in 2018. As soon as I started taking Harry to baby and toddler classes I absolutely fell in love with them, Hartbeeps becoming our favourite class to attend! As I didn’t know too many people up here Hartbeeps soon became my happy place where I felt welcome and confident to speak to other mummies while watching Harry smile, interact with other babies, grow and learn so much! Wind on to 2021 and Harry still loves his Hartbeeps classes! Its the best feeling watching him getting involved and joining in with all the actions, he even knows what is coming next and tries to get Zachary involved by dressing him up!

So you can see why I can’t wait to get started leading Hartbeeps classes, the happiness the classes bring are infectious and something I want to share with you all. Hartbeeps really does make you and your little ones smile from ear to ear and those smiles are what I can’t wait to see!

Im really looking forward to meeting you all & saying a big hello to all your little ones! See you soon

Joanne Vipond

Hi everyone! I’m Joanne, I’m 38 and mummy to 5 year old Alice and almost 2 year old William! I’m also the wife of a wonderful man who has given me so much support to make this exciting move to Hartbeeps. Some will think my move to Hartbeeps is crazy or at the least; a little odd, since it is so far removed for what I’ve spent the last 14 years doing. I’ve worked for manufacturing business in many departments from IT to sales and customer service to marketing - but those who know me well, will see that this is basically like coming home for me. I love to sing and dance; having done so from a young age right through to college. Being able to combine that love with helping children to develop and grow, connect and communicate is something so special. I’m so excited to join Ali’s incredible team and do something I’m passionate about, which I know will bring joy to everyones day! I can’t wait for September so I can start my new journey and create some wonderful memories with you and your beautiful children! Oodles of love & magic sprinkles xxx

Georgina Cornelius

Hello Hartbeepers!

I’m Georgina, I’m 32 and I’m Mummy to Owen aged 3 and Nina aged 1!

I am thrilled to be apart of Ali’s lovely team at Hartbeeps.

Before joining the team in September 2021 I spent the better part of my last few years in hospitality management but anyone who knows me knows that this is my dream job, I love to sing, dance and be silly so I am in my absolute element with your little ones ??

Prior to going into management, i gained a degree in performing arts and also got some amazing experience professionally singing before going to work at Disney World in Florida. However the best experience I’ve had is definitely being mama to my two little rascals????

I attended Ali’s Hartbeeps classes with my little boy and we LOVED every second and some of you will definitely see Nina gracing the mats each week! We’re a family of beepers!
I can’t wait to meet you and your little ones and say hello little sunshine and beep beep with your gorgeous babies and toddlers!

Carly Richardson

I'm Carly I'm 33 years old and live with my partner David, and our beautiful 11 month old Daughter Elsie After having our first child in Lockdown, I found it extremely difficult not being able to experience all the wonderful things new time Mummies usually do, like attending various classes etc. When we eventually were allowed, myself and Elsie attended our first Hartbeeps class, and to say we both completely fell in love would be an understatement. It was just amazing It was so nice to see all the wonderful interactions and how happy and engaged the children were I just couldn't believe somebody got to do this as their job It seemed to incorporate all of my passions, which is when I instantly knew I would LOVE to do this I've worked at a Special Educational Needs School in Bedale for 8 years now, and although I absolutely love working there, since having Elsie I knew it was time to find a job closer to home. So here I am now, feeling like the luckiest Mamma in the world, to be given this opportunity

Hayley Fell

Hiya I'm Hayley 24, a very proud mummy to my gorgeous daughter Ivy and wife to my husband Sean (I guess he's gorgeous too). Ivy's not long since turned one and we joined Hartbeeps with Sam when Ivy was teeny tiny about 1month old and it was so great to see her develop and make friends along the way.
We moved up here from Yorkshire a year before having Ivy, so I could be closer to my previous job as a prosthetic technician which I hold a degree in. Please excuse my accent, it's a little different from you guys up here but I can't wait to meet you all and laugh together.
It's always been a passion to work with children, making them smile and teaching them along the way.
Love Hayley. X

Hartbeeps Darlington, Yarm & North Yorkshire is like an extended family that continues to grow. It’s a safe place where an anxious mum can walk in with their baby and be welcomed with a friendly face. Ali, Sam and the team are full of smiles, laughter and crazy dance moves. But they are not just leaders, they are mums too and can always chat before or after class. You get to meet loads of other mums/dads/grandparents with babies making friends, not just for Hartbeeps but for life. I cannot thank Hartbeeps enough for the fun times I personally get to spend with my son, taking photos to embarrass him when he is 18 and making mum friends. Amy and Mason

I attended hartbeeps after the first lockdown in November 2020 with my little boy Tommy who was 3 months old at the time, I was anxious as we didn’t get out much due to Covid but as soon as we walked in I just felt such a nice welcoming happy vibe from Ali and we enjoyed the class so much, as tommy began to get older he was interacting so much more and was everywhere apart from on his mat but Ali didn’t have an issue with this and allowed him to do his own thing. All the songs and activities that we did were lovely and the quiet time was such a good idea. we looked forward to going every week and I would highly recommend it to other parents. Ellie and Tommy

When we first signed up for Hartbeeps when my little boy was 4 weeks old, we had no idea that the first 3 months of sessions would be online, but they were exactly what we needed in the midst of a global pandemic with a newborn. He was always engaged the sessions and Ali always made time for us to talk to other parents at the end of sessions which was often truly needed. When we got to go to class in person it was so fantastic. My little boy absolutely loves the sessions and is so comfortable and cinfidebt to move around an interact with the other babies and Ali! We would wholeheartedly encourage you to sign up, you absolutely won't regret it. Morven and Euan

‘I love our hartbeeps classes and so does my daughter Sophia ? it’s a really warm, relaxed and happy atmosphere which caters brilliantly to young children at all stages of their development. It gives me a warm glow, the songs, activities and socialising with the other babas and parents/carers, I would highly recommend anyone who’s thinking of giving it a go you won’t be disappointed. I often find myself singing some of the songs to Sophia outside the class and she loves it! I will really miss it when I have to go back to work.’ Becky and Sophia

We knew Jo before she started Hartbeeps, but once we started going to her class you could see she had finally started to do what she was made to do. She is a natural with the babies; she makes every week so exciting and throughout the class she has the biggest smile on her face. My daughter absolutely loves Jo and so do we. We’ve tried other classes before and none of them compare to Hartbeeps, we’re so pleased we’ve joined the Hartbeeps family. You guys are amazing at what you do ?? Laura and Sophia

Hartbeeps is the best baby and toddler class I have been too. Right from the very start when I was a nervous new Mum feeling a bit lost, Ali was so welcoming and friendly. I instantly loved the sessions and community that I became part of. Even meeting some new friends. My little girl Emilia absolutely loves going to Hartbeeps, she has been going since she was 3 weeks old. Emilia loves her other instructor Sophie just as much. I love how Emilia has grown into each class stage and how much she gets involved. The props, songs and energy each class has is second to none. I would and have recommended this group to anyone and everyone. Even my husband enjoyed it! Claire and Emilia

I couldn’t praise Hartbeeps enough. I joined the baby class when I had my second baby, Rose, not knowing a single person. Now, my daughter and I have a close circle of friends that we have made from our Hartbeeps class, who will be friends for life. I didn’t really do baby classes when I had my first child, as I found them very cliquey, but my experience at Hartbeeps has been the complete opposite. Everyone is so friendly and I regularly chat to lots of different mums, dads, and grandparents. Ali and the whole team are all mums themselves, so they understand the trials and tribulations of motherhood, and they are all super friendly and lovely. The classes themselves are uplifting, happy, and inclusive, and my daughter absolutely loves going there every week. She’s nearly three now and it’s still the highlight of her week. Even in lockdown, we were able to access online classes, and Ali really lifted our spirits, at a very difficult time in everyone’s lives. Hartbeeps is more than just a baby class, it’s a community of supportive, lovely mums and their babies, and an amazing way to make friends, while the kids have fun. Liz and Rose

We love Hartbeeps, both me and my little girl. It helped bring her out of her shell after being in lockdown for all of her life. She was like a different baby, so happy and confident when we stepped into hartbeeps. The girls are fab and always full of fun. We love it so much, we had a hartbeeps 1st birthday party!! It was fab, and can't wait her next birthday for another hartbeeps party! Nicole and Harlow

We have been coming to Hartbeeps since my first was a newborn. Ali is absolutely amazing. Despite several lockdowns she remained super positive and created a wonderful support network for new mums. I now have an 18 month old and a 6 month old baby. I find it quite difficult going places on my own with them but not Hartbeeps. It’s a super friendly, relaxed environment where everyone understands that babies and children can sometimes cry, can sometimes be mischievous and just want to run around. I have also had classes with Sam, both ladies are amazing with the babies and lots of fun. All the classes are well planned, thought through and extremely engaging. Would 10000000% recommend !!! Verity, Freddie and Florrie

We started hartbeeps when my little boy was 5 weeks old, he is now 2 and a half and we’ve never looked back! Every class is full of fun, laughter and magic. There is a different theme each week and they all include fun and exciting ways of developing social, physical, cognitive and sensory skills (Even from newborn!) Our sessions are with Ali who is just everyone’s sunshine on a rainy day, a lovely lady who from day dot made us feel welcome which as an anxious first time mam was really comforting, my little boy lights up around her and i would safely say we have made a friend for life. I could not recommend hartbeeps enough, from newborn to preschool (and even mammys!) there is something special for everyone in the classes. Thank you hartbeeps & Ali for giving us magical memories and something to look forward to each week! Beth and Bertie