April Baby Physio

April Baby Physio has two clinics, one in York and one virtual, and provides specialist paediatric physiotherapy for babies and young children. Care is provided by April Toomey, a highly specialist paediatric physiotherapist, with services focused on early development, movement and physical concerns from birth to 3 years.

The practice offers Little Body Checks, 1:1 consultations and early intervention. Little Body Checks review a baby's physical, movement and milestone development and are suitable from 6 weeks to 2 years old. 1:1 consultations provide clinical assessment and treatment for head shape concerns such as plagiocephaly, torticollis, neck tightness or tension, birth trauma concerns, tummy time and positioning, milestone and movement difficulty including rolling, sitting, crawling and walking, and alignment concerns including feet shape, knocked knees and posture.

Early intervention is available for babies with, or at risk of, neurodevelopmental difficulties. Areas named by the practice include NICU graduates, preterm birth, brain changes, HIE, stroke and baby brain injury, long term oxygen need including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cardiac and genetic conditions, and neurological conditions. The practice also refers to supporting care alongside NHS provision, with appointment bundles available.

Consultations are available in person at the York clinic and online through telehealth. The virtual clinic offers initial and follow-up appointments, including a virtual Little Body Check. The practice also offers Play to Crawl, a physiotherapy-led programme with on demand activities and a weekly live development play group, presented as general play-based advice rather than a substitute for an individual physiotherapy assessment or medical advice.

April Toomey has worked clinically in paediatrics since 2012 and uses a holistic, play based approach that places parents and babies at the centre of care. Her listed credentials include BPhty from the University of Queensland, HCPC registration, AHPRA registration, membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and membership of the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists.

Her stated clinical background includes neonatal intensive care, complex care, special school services, early development, clinician teaching and service improvement. Her postgraduate training includes neuro-development, prematurity, brain injury and Cerebral Palsy, neonatal care, developmental delay, early intervention for high risk infants, baby massage, kids yoga and Pilates, sensory development, General Movement Assessments, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Hammersmith Neonatal and Infant Neurological Examinations, paediatric gait analysis, orthotic management, limb casting and spasticity management for Cerebral Palsy, hippotherapy, aquatic therapy and hydrotherapy for children.