What's On at Hawthorn Family Learning Centre
Hawthorn Family Learning Centre is the only children and families centre of its kind in Midlothian.
Our vision is to support children and families to be safe, healthy, happy, resilient and to learn together.
We are committed to providing this through nurturing and respectful relationships.
The purpose of the service is to provide support to children, parents and carers in Midlothian via early years placements and family learning. The service works closely with both Children's Services and Education to provide high quality environments, interactions, experiences and supports. The centre aims to provide a flexible and responsive service to meet the needs of each individual child and family.
We aim to build positive, safe and trusting relationships with children, parents and carers in order to give children the best possible start in life, helping them to achieve positive outcomes.
Supper Club
Hawthorn Family Learning Centre invites, families of Midlothian to join us for our monthly Supper Club which is FREE to attend and takes place on the last Tuesday of the month.
Each session we focus on an exciting theme to promote fun, curiosity and engagement for children of all ages followed by a healthy and tasty hot meal for the whole family.
To book your space please call 0131 271 3116.
Please let us know prior of any special dietary requirements or additional support you may require.
| Date | Time | Topic or Activity | Menu |
| Tue 24 Feb | 4pm - 5.30pm | Emotions |
Spaghetti Bolognese Apple pie & custards |
| Tue 31 Mar | 4pm - 5.30pm | Easter |
Fish, chips & peas Cake & custard |
| Tue 28 April | 4pm - 5.30pm | Spring and planting |
Mac & cheese Apple crumble & custard |
| Tue 26 May | 4pm - 5.30pm | Health and wellbeing |
Chicken curry Yoghurt & fruit |
| Tue 30 June | 4pm - 5.30pm | Sports and games |
Spaghetti carbonara Jelly & ice cream |
| Tue 28 July | 4pm - 5.30pm | Fire safety |
Pizza and wedges Ice cream in a cone |
| Tue 25 Aug | 4pm - 5.30pm | Messy play |
Chilli con carne Sticky toffee pudding & custard |
| Tue 29 Sept | 4pm - 5.30pm | Autumn crafts |
Chicken casserole, mash & veg Yoghurt & fruit |
| Tue 27 Oct | 4pm - 5.30pm | Halloween |
Steak pie, tatties & veg Cake & custard |
| Tues 24 Nov | 4pm - 5.30pm | St. Andrews Day |
Haggis, neeps & tatties Shortbread |
| Tue 15 Dec | 4pm - 5.30pm | Christmas |
Christmas dinner Chocolate brownie & custard |
Upcoming Events
The following events run from January 2026 onwards.
You are welcome to attend the events as long as your space is booked a minimum of 24 hours prior.
To book a place:
- Email - hawthornfamilylearningcentre@midlothian.gov.uk
- Call - 0131 271 3116
Monday
- One Stop Shop
- 9.00am - 10.00am
- This group runs every Monday throughout the year
- Community Room
- Donations welcome
- Free
- Income Maximisation with Citizens Advice Bureau
- 8.30am - 12noon
- Library
- Appointments starting from 26 January onwards
- Call in advance to book appointment
Tuesday
- Waiting Well
- 9.00am - 10.30am
- Group begins 24 February and runs during school term time
- Community Room
- Free
Wednesday
- PEEP / PEEP Pathways
- 9.30am - 11.00am
- Group begins 14 January and runs during school term time
- Community Room
- Free
- Book online via Eventbrite
- Cooking on a Budget
- 1.30pm - 3.30pm
- Group begins 4 March and runs for 6 weeks
- Community Room
- Free
Thursday
- Messy Play
- 10.00am - 11.00am
- Group begins 5 March and runs for 6 weeks
- Community Room
- Free
- Baby Massage
- 2.00pm - 3.00pm
- Group begins 5 March and runs for 6 weeks
- Community Room
- Free
Friday
- Raising Children with Confidence
- 9.30am - 11.30am
- Group begins 6 March and runs for 12 weeks
- Community Room
- Free
- Income Maximisation with Citizens Advice Bureau
- 8.30am - 12noon
- Library
- Appointments starting from 26 January onwards
- Call in advance to book appointment
Event Details
One Stop Shop
A service open to all those living within Midlothian to support families with essential items such as clothes, shoes, food, sanitary wear, toiletries and more. Items are free or a small donation is welcome. This service is supported by the parents of Hawthorn.
Income Maximisation with Citizens Advice Bureau
Open to anyone who would like a financial health check. This includes a benefits check to ensure you are receiving all the benefits you may be able to apply for. The service is confidential.
Waiting Well
A new and exciting group here at Hawthorn and ran by the Disability Team within Midlothian Council. The group aims to support parents and carers with children of all ages who are affected by disability by providing peer and group support.
PEEP / PEEP Pathways
This group aims to support parents and carers, and their children from birth to five years old and focuses on supporting early learning and development through everyday activities.
The Peep Progression Pathway offers nationally recognised units to cover three qualification levels for parents and carers as learners.
Cooking on a Budget
An engaging parent only group to promote healthy eating on a budget. Parents are supported to build essential cooking skills in an encouraging peer group setting.
Messy Play
Child-led sensory play group for children 6 months to five years old. This festive edition of the group offers a fun and engaging way for young children to learn and develop important skills through hands-on exploration of different materials and textures. These classes focus on mark-making, sensory exploration, and creative play through exploring a range of textures.
Baby Massage
Baby massage can help to soothe and support your baby's development, while promoting opportunities for one-to-one bonding time. Suitable from birth to 6 months.
Raising Children with Confidence
This is a 12-week programme focused on fostering children's emotional well-being and resilience, often drawing on brain development and attachment research.