Bedford · Term 2 Begins 02 November 2026

Learn
Through Play.

The UK's original play-based Jiu-Jitsu programme for pre-schoolers. Since 2013, we've built confidence and motor skills in three-to-five-year-olds — one fun, six-week term at a time.

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All registrations are processed by our partner, the Tōukon Academy®
Jiu Jitsu Tots — Learn Through Play
Our story

Where it started

Jiu Jitsu Tots grew out of the fantastic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Schools, a scheme created in 2010 by David Webb, head coach at Tōukon Academy. Its success led to Jiu Jitsu Tots launching in 2013 — the UK's first Jiu-Jitsu specific play programme built just for pre-school children.

Every session is built on an "Every Child Matters" philosophy and values-based coaching — patience, honesty, friendship, and safe practice, taught through play rather than instruction.

"Founded in 2013, Jiu-Jitsu Tots™ is a dynamic play programme specifically designed to build confidence and enhance motor skills through Jiu-Jitsu."
What we build

Three things, every single class

Everything on the mat is designed around these three outcomes — nothing added just for show.

💪

Confidence

Small wins, every week. Children learn to try, fall, laugh, and try again — in a room built to make that feel safe.

🤸

Motor skills

Balance, coordination, and body awareness, built through movement games rather than drills — because that's how three-year-olds actually learn.

🎈

Play

No child sits still for a lecture. Every session is disguised as a game, so the learning happens without anyone noticing.

How a year works

Six terms. Six Outstanding Merit Certificates.

Each six-week term is built around its own module of study, finishing with an Outstanding Merit Certificate and a stripe on the Tots belt — timed to sit alongside the school calendar.

Robbie Roll
Autumn 1
6 weeks
Bobby Break Fall
Autumn 2
6 weeks
Stanley Stand Up
Spring 1
6 weeks
Grace Guard
Spring 2
6 weeks
Harry Hold Down
Summer 1
6 weeks
Ella Escape
Summer 2
6 weeks

Ages 3–5 years

Sessions are built specifically for pre-schoolers — not a scaled-down version of an older kids' class.

Six-week terms

Each course runs for six weeks, aligned to a school half-term, so families can commit one term at a time.

Classes in Bedford

Our first Jiu Jitsu Tots classes since resurrecting the programme will run in Bedford, opening for the new school year every Monday & Wednesday from 4pm - 4:30pm.

Certificates and stripes

Every completed module earns a certificate and a stripe on the Tots belt. Four of six stripes earns graduate belt status — the last step before joining the junior programme.

Built for this age, not shrunk down for it

  • Small classes — a 1:8 ratio, always
  • Fully qualified, insured coaches with first aid certification
  • An almost entirely visual coaching method — no long routines to copy
  • Every child included, whatever their needs
Jiu Jitsu Tots graduate character
The graduate

Four stripes, then graduation

Once a Tot earns four of their six stripes, they reach graduate belt status — the final milestone before joining the junior Jiu-Jitsu programme at age six.

Ready to lock in your child's place for November 2026?

Reserve a Space
Where to find us

Starting in Bedford

Jiu Jitsu Tots is relaunching with its first location in Bedford, in collaboration with Tōukon Academy®. It's the first step in bringing the programme back to families across the country — one town at a time.

More locations to be announced as the programme grows.

LocationBedford
AddressMeadow Lane, Bedford MK44 3LW
Term 2 dates2 Nov – 9 Dec 2026
Times4pm - 4:30pm
Ages3–5 years
Term length6 weeks
StatusPlaces Filling
Questions parents ask

Before you enrol

The honest answers to what most parents want to know before their child's first session.

Will my child be sparring or getting hurt?+
No. Jiu Jitsu Tots sessions aren't typical Jiu-Jitsu classes, and developing technical skill isn't the primary goal at this age. Every session runs in a safe, structured environment focused on motor skills, balance, and social confidence — built through games, not sparring.
How many children are in a class?+
We keep a strict 1:8 coach-to-child ratio, so every child gets seen, supported, and encouraged individually — never lost in a crowd.
My child has additional needs — can they still join?+
Yes. Our "Every Child Matters" philosophy means every child is welcome, including children with autism or other social interaction differences. We take the time to build trust at each child's own pace.
What if my child doesn't want to join in at first?+
Completely normal, and nothing to worry about. Parents are welcome to stay for every session — to reassure their child, and themselves. Most children who feel unsure in week one are asking to come back by week two.
Are the coaches qualified?+
Every coach is fully qualified, insured, and holds emergency first aid certification — not a weekend workshop badge. Coaching is genuinely experienced with young children, not adapted from an adult class.
What will my child actually learn?+
Fundamental motor and social skills, built through Jiu-Jitsu specific games rather than drills. Our coaching is almost entirely visual, using positive, encouraging language, so children pick up movement patterns naturally through play.
Ready when you are

Reserve your child's place for November

Get in touch today and we'll secure your child's spot ahead of November - all registrations are processed by our partner, the Tōukon Academy®

Reserve a Space