Helping babies born in lockdown get ready for nursery
We have received funding from Reading Borough Council to deliver a two-year programme of targeted support for Reading families with babies born between September 2019 - August 2021.
The Covid pandemic has had unequal health, economic and social consequences for families. Some children are at risk of long-term impact on their social and emotional development, particularly where they are living with high levels of anxiety or bereavement, have special educational needs or perhaps in circumstances of family chaos, abuse, or economic hardship.
The closure of many support services during the pandemic had a huge impact on many of these families. Long-term impact is not inevitable however, because the right kinds of temporary alterations and sustained support can mitigate this and provide opportunities for children who’ve been disadvantaged to catch up.
We know that when children access high quality childcare and children’s centre activities, they make accelerated progress. This supports their development and gets them ready for nursery and school.
Our two-year Baby Boost for Lockdown Babies project will provide much needed opportunities for babies born during the Covid pandemic to play and learn with other children.
Activities they’ll be able to access will include:
- Inclusive and interactive Stay and play sessions
- Speech and language support and advice
- Indoor and outdoor physical play sessions
- Additional support for children with SEN and those following a paediatrician referral.
- Mellow babies and toddlers parenting courses
- 1-1 support from an outreach worker
To make a referral
To make a referral please complete this form. If you have any queries, please email baby.boost@brighterfuturesforchildren.org. Or you can contact the Baby Boost Team Co-ordinator on 07841 271916.
See the image below for the referral process.
