An Early Childhood Community Center in Sulphur Springs

From playgroups and classes to help navigating community resources, we’re here for your family.

Raising children can be as stressful as it is joyous, especially when you are facing other challenges. At Layla’s House, we provide skills, knowledge, and resources to make family life the best it can be, while also helping you identify solutions for common concerns like healthcare, housing, and childcare.

Layla’s House Services

Located in the heart of Tampa’s Sulphur Springs neighborhood, Layla’s House is a community-based learning and resource center that provides playgroups, workshops, developmental checkups, community activities, and support for parents and caregivers of children aged 0-5, as well as for expectant moms and dads. We strive to make childhood a happy, healthy, and wholesome experience for every child and parent in Sulphur Springs.

Educational Playgroups

Baby & Me is an opportunity for parents to learn together with their child through play while building babies’ social-emotional, physical and cognitive development through songs, sensory materials and positive interactions. While engaging with their children during the playgroup, adults will gain working knowledge about how to foster their child’s early learning and development and connect with other caregivers of similarly aged children.

View upcoming dates

Call (813) 443-5004, email laylashouse@cfctb.org, message Layla’s House on Facebook, or visit us in person to register.

Growing Together is an opportunity for parents and their children (12-24 months old) to learn together through play, fostering early development through music, fine and gross motor experiences, and other open-ended play opportunities. The group supports the domains of language, cognitive, motor, and social/emotional development using a variety of materials. While participating with their children, adults will gain working knowledge of the importance of play and many ways to support their one-year old’s early development and learning. Children must be confidently walking and 12 months old to register.

View upcoming dates

Call (813) 443-5004, email laylashouse@cfctb.org, message Layla’s House on Facebook, or visit us in person to register.

Wonder Years is an opportunity for parents and their children (24-36 months old) to learn together through experiences that support early development through music, stories, exploration of materials, and other creative, developmentally appropriate activities. All domains of development are fostered (motor, cognitive/language, and social/emotional skills) while adults are guided to continue supportive play and social experiences at home to encourage independent discovery and relationship building.

View upcoming dates

Call (813) 443-5004, email laylashouse@cfctb.org, message Layla’s House on Facebook, or visit us in person to register.

This is a facilitator-led, 5-week playgroup for parents with children ages 36-60 months. It focuses on cognitive development and motor skills through early childhood development activities with a special focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics. Adults will learn helpful ways to strengthen their relationship with their child through play and learning while supporting their curiosity and development.

Please note: Children must be 36 months on or before the first date of playgroup start date.

View upcoming dates

Call (813) 443-5004, email laylashouse@cfctb.org, message Layla’s House on Facebook, or visit us in person to register.

Creative Learning is an opportunity for parents and their children (36-60 months old) to learn together through play that promotes children’s critical thinking, problem solving and creativity through exploration and play. Using preschoolers’ interests and motivations, open-ended activities promote discoveries through classifying, sorting, and comparing materials. While participating with their child, adults are guided through developmentally appropriate play experiences that foster their eager and energetic children.

Please note: Children must be 36 months on or before the first date of playgroup start date.

View upcoming dates

Call (813) 443-5004, email laylashouse@cfctb.org, message Layla’s House on Facebook, or visit us in person to register.

Mix it Up is an opportunity for parents and their children (12 months old and confidently walking to 60 months) to learn together through experiences that nurture development in a mixed-age group setting. Observe the differences in play across ages. Experiences include songs, rhymes, storytelling and open-ended activities. This group is ideal for families with more than one child. While engaging with their child, adults will gain working knowledge about activities that support development across the early years, how to foster the successful sharing of space and materials, and the social benefits of mixed age groups.

Please note: Child must be confidently walking and 12 months old on or before the playgroup start date.

View upcoming dates

Call (813) 443-5004, email laylashouse@cfctb.org, message Layla’s House on Facebook, or visit us in person to register.

Classes & Workshops

This facilitator-led, 5-week discussion-based workshop helps families to connect and build a stronger family foundation. During each informational session, parents learn the skills and knowledge to build and maintain healthy, positive relationships with their children, as well as their co-parent(s), while being supported by other parents who share their challenges and joys. Special session topics include learning how to improve the family’s financial health and wellness, child safety, good nutrition, tax prep, career-building, and more.

Please note: Child must be confidently walking and 12 months old on or before the playgroup start date.

View our calendar to see when the next 5-week series starts.

Call (813) 443-5004, email laylashouse@cfctb.org, message Layla’s House on Facebook, or visit us in person to register.

This facilitator-led, 5-week discussion-based support group explores the successes and challenges of being a new mom in baby’s first year. New moms with babies 2 months to 12 months share in the day-to-day lifestyle of new motherhood, learning babies’ developmental milestones, and cultivating a support system through discussion and activities. Session topics include stress reduction strategies like yoga, breastfeeding & bottle-feeding concerns, postpartum care, self-care, and child-caret. Adults learn how to support one another and build connections.

View our calendar to see when the next 5-week series starts.

Call (813) 443-5004, email laylashouse@cfctb.org, message Layla’s House on Facebook, or visit us in person to register.

In this eight-week summer program, parents with children ages 30 months to 60 months will explore their child’s interests and find out what sparks their love of learning! This facilitator-guided program focuses on four main themed areas that include learning a sense of community, zoo animals and sea creatures, creative arts, various sciences, and much more. Parent and child attend twice a week to explore different activities and interests. Some weeks may include a field trip to our local community partners where you can really “dive in.” Upon completion of the program, parents will receive a Certificate of Completion and a graduation celebration for their child(ren). If available, entry tickets to local parks and/or museums are provided to families to further enhance the experience in real life outside of play to help strengthen your child’s development.

Please note: This program is by registration only. Check our social media pages for registration dates and information in early Spring. For more information, please call us at 813-443-5004.

In this one-time 4-hour course, pregnant women in their 3rd trimester will learn about the important aspects of the childbirth experience. Topics covered include comfort measures, stages of labor, healthy eating, newborn procedures, breastfeeding, and developing a birthing plan. This class is offered at the beginning of every quarter on the 1st Saturday of the month.

View our calendar to see when the next course is scheduled.

Call (813) 443-5004, email laylashouse@cfctb.org, message Layla’s House on Facebook, or visit us in person to register.

This 8-week series for expecting parents in their 2nd trimester and on will cover everything you need to know in preparation for having a new baby. Topics include forming healthy attachments, childbirth education, post-partum care, safe baby, car seat safety, promoting healthy brain development through play, and what to ask the pediatrician about your baby’s health & nutrition. We invite subject matter experts to facilitate the class and/or talk about their programs. The class ends with a mini “baby shower,” where you’ll go home with valuable baby items to help you get started as a new parent!

Wednesdays from 5:30pm-8:00pm.
View our calendar to see when the next 8-week series starts.
Call (813) 443-5004, email laylashouse@cfctb.org, message Layla’s House on Facebook, or visit us in person to register.

This is a hands-on 2-hour workshop for parents with infants 0-4 months. Parents learn how to reduce stress with massaging techniques for infants. Adults will be taught how to soothe and learn the importance of connecting to your infant and how talking, reading, singing, and playing can strengthen this bond and help your baby feel secure.

View our calendar to see what upcoming workshops are scheduled.

Classes on a variety of topics from parenting to smart finances. We frequently offer free workshops on important topics like improving your family’s financial health, budgeting, good nutrition, and more. To view current special topic offerings, take a look at our calendar.

View our calendar to see what upcoming workshops are scheduled.

Other Family Support Services

Champions’ abcProgram comes to Layla’s House every Friday to offer a free clinic for comprehensive breastfeeding support. Mothers can meet with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for a one-on-one consultation to address breastfeeding challenges or simply to reassure that all is going well. While waiting, mothers can get to know other nursing moms who are going through the same challenges and joys.

Every Friday, 10:00am-12:00pm.
Registration required. Please call 813-673-4646 ext. 1127 to make an appointment.

Coping with life challenges like losing a job or finding affordable childcare can be even more challenging when you’re also getting ready to welcome a baby into your life. Let us connect you to community resources that meet your needs, so you can focus on being the best parent you can be.

Call (813) 443-5004, email laylashouse@cfctb.org, message Layla’s House on Facebook, or visit us in person to see how we can help.

Every quarter, we offer lots of fun, enriching opportunities for the Sulphur Springs community. These events include holiday celebrations, resource fairs, book fairs, family engagement activities, and much more! Check out our calendar to keep up-to-date on these fun-friendly family engagement events.

View our calendar to see what upcoming events are scheduled.

Using the Brookes Publishing Ages and Stages Questionnaires, children between 2 and 66 months of age are eligible for a complimentary developmental checkup. Together, parents and a Child Development Specialist will view a snapshot of your child’s development; noting achievements, milestones or possible concerns which will be addressed early. This screening ensures peace of mind for you and success for your child! Learn more about your child’s milestones, how to best foster development, and available community resources that can support you and your family.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, call (813) 443-5004 or e-mail laylashouse@cfctb.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Any family in the Sulphur Springs area who is expecting a child or who has a child aged 0-60 months can participate in Layla’s House services! Check the descriptions for specific services above to learn the age limitations for each one. In addition to moms and dads, children may also be accompanied by aunts, uncles, grandparents, or any other caring adult who helps to raise them.
No, all Layla’s House services are completely free.

The best way to register is to call (813) 443-5004. Other ways of registering are listed under each individual service description above.

Sometimes, you may wish to attend a Layla’s House activity with just one of your children, especially if only one of them is the appropriate age for the activity. In many cases, we are happy and able to provide child watch for your other children! Please call us at (813) 443-5004 to confirm whether child watch will be available at the time you wish to attend.
All regularly scheduled Layla’s House services are available at 1506 East Eskimo Ave. Tampa, FL 33604.

You can also keep an eye out on our calendar for community events and activities taking place at local libraries, schools, and other locations!

Layla’s House is generously funded by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. The YMCA of Tampa Bay owns the physical property and is a strong partner in maintaining it for the benefit of the Sulphur Springs community. We also receive support from a variety of private individuals, corporations, and foundations in the community, who are listed here.