Starting Reception is a huge milestone for children — and for parents too. That’s why Wild Things Play Project is hosting a special series of Reception Meet-Up Sessions in Plymouth during the 2026 summer holidays.
From 27 July to 25 August 2026, families from primary schools across Plymouth are invited to join us for relaxed play sessions designed to help children make new friends before they start school in September.
Whether your child is feeling excited, nervous, shy, or simply eager to meet familiar faces before their first day, our Reception Meet-Ups are a fun, informal way to build confidence ahead of starting primary school.
Our Reception Meet-Up Sessions are specially organised play sessions where children attending the same school in September can meet and play together before term starts.
Each session takes place at Wild Things Play Project in Drake Circus, Plymouth, and gives children the opportunity to:
These sessions are ideal for children starting:
Weekdays from Monday 27 July to Tuesday 25 August 2026
At Wild Things Play Project, we know that starting school can feel like a big change — especially for children who may not know anyone yet.
Our Reception Meet-Up Sessions are designed to create a welcoming, low-pressure environment where children can naturally socialise through play while parents relax with coffee, lunch, or snacks from our café.
Many parents tell us that meeting other families before September helps make the first school run feel much more familiar and comfortable.
We are hosting sessions for children attending primary schools across Plymouth, including:
A full school-by-school schedule will be published below.
Families choose Wild Things Play Project because we offer:
Whether your child is outgoing or a little nervous about starting school, our Plymouth Reception Meet-Up Sessions are a brilliant way to help them begin their school journey with confidence.
Check the school schedule below and choose your session. Please note some sessions are shared with another school.
| Date | 9am–11am | 12pm–2pm | 3pm–5pm |
| Mon 27 Jul | Austin Farm Academy | Beechwood Primary Academy | Boringdon Primary School |
| Tue 28 Jul | Cathedral School of St Mary | Chaddlewood Primary School | College Road Primary School |
| Wed 29 Jul | Compton CE Primary School | Drake Primary Academy | Eggbuckland Vale Primary School |
| Thu 30 Jul | Elburton Primary School | Ernesettle Community School | Ford Primary School |
| Fri 31 Jul | Shared Session: Glen Park + Goosewell | Shared Session: High View + Holy Cross | Share Session: High Street + Hooe |
| Mon 3 Aug | Hyde Park Infants’ School | Hyde Park Junior School | Keyham Barton RC Primary School |
| Tue 4 Aug | Knowle Primary School | Laira Green Primary School | Leigham Primary School |
| Wed 5 Aug | Lipson Vale Primary School | Manadon Vale Primary School | Marine Academy Primary |
| Thu 6 Aug | Marlborough Primary Academy | Mary Dean’s CE Primary School | Mayflower Academy |
| Fri 7 Aug | Shared Session: Millbay + Montpelier | Shared Session: Morley Meadow + Mount Street | Share session: Morice Town + Mount Wise |
| Mon 10 Aug | Oakwood Primary Academy | Old Priory Junior Academy | Oreston Community Academy |
| Tue 11 Aug | Pennycross Primary School | Pilgrim Primary Academy | Plaistow Hill Infant School |
| Wed 12 Aug | Plympton St Mary’s CE Infant School | Plympton St Maurice Primary School | Pomphlett Primary School |
| Thu 13 Aug | Prince Rock Primary School | Riverside Community Primary School | Salisbury Road Primary School |
| Fri 14 Aug | Shared Session: Shakespeare + St Andrew’s | Shared Session: St Edward’s + St George’s | Shared session: St Joseph’s + St Budeaux |
| Mon 17 Aug | St Matthew’s CE Primary Academy | St Paul’s RC Primary School | St Peter’s CE Primary School |
| Tue 18 Aug | St Peter’s RC Primary School | Stoke Damerel Primary School | Stuart Road Primary School |
| Wed 19 Aug | Thornbury Primary School | Tor Bridge Primary School | Victoria Road Primary School |
| Thu 20 Aug | Weston Mill Community Primary Academy | Whitleigh Community Primary School | Widewell Primary Academy |
| Fri 21 Aug | Shared Session: Widey Court + Woodfield | Shared Session: Woodford + Yealmpstone Farm |
These sessions are designed for children starting Reception in September 2026.
Additional children may be charged at the standard entry rate.
Yes — we will also be hosting shared and open Plymouth-wide sessions throughout the summer.
Wild Things Play Project is located on the top level of Drake Circus shopping centre in Plymouth city centre.
