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May 2026

Welcome to your newsletter from the Best Start Family Hubs and Best Start in Life team - formerly Family Hubs Start for Life!

We are pleased you are continuing to join us.

Best Start in Life now has a larger scope, supporting families during pregnancy, with children aged 0 to 5, and beyond, and with greater focus on support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We also continue to support the Bradford District's Best Start Family Hubs, which welcome families with children and young people aged up to 19 (25 with SEND).

As national Primary School Offer Day took place recently (16 April), and schools will soon be inviting families in for 'transition' or welcome days, in this month's newsletter we take a look at the advice and support available to families whose child will start school reception in September. 

We also have a lovely story from Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI), when the FYI website team popped by the Neonatal Unit to talk to colleagues about the Togetherness support available to families. 

As always, we bring helpful news, support, information about free activities for families across the Bradford District, links to the FYI website, links to the Family Hub timetables and lots more. 

Please take a look at our newsletter and share with anyone who might find it useful.

News for families and colleagues

Is your child ready to start school reception?

On 16 April, thousands of families across Bradford District found out which primary school their child has been offered a place at.

With less than 5 months to go until the start of September (not to panic anyone!), if you have a child who will be starting school, now is a great time to start thinking about helping your child get ready to start school reception.

Key skills which will help your child settle in and be ready to learn, include being able to:

• Go to the toilet and wash their own hands
• Put on their own coat and shoes
• Play, sing along with simple songs, and listen to stories
• Climb, jump and go up and down steps (using the wall for support)
• Hold a crayon or pencil and be able to do simple crafts like sticking

There is more detail about these key skills, including a free downloadable 'Starting Reception' booklet, on the FYI (Families and Young Person's Information) website - Small steps to starting school. As well as English, the Starting Reception booklet is available in 11 languages. 

On the FYI pages you will also find lots of information and advice, and how to get support, if you feel your child might need a little extra help.

Ready for Reception - support and sessions at your Best Start Family Hubs

Lots of the free sessions at our district's Family Hubs, and across our Family Hubs network, are designed to help build your child's confidence and skills throughout their baby, toddler and pre-school years, and help them feel ready for school when the time comes. 

Play and Learn sessions from the Early Years Alliance take place across the district during term time, and are suitable for all pre-school children from age 0 upwards. Come along with your little one to to explore and learn together while having fun! All sessions listed here: Play and learn | Family Corner - or check the Family Hub timetables. 

Incredible Years pre-school is for families with children aged 3 to 4 years that would like a bit of extra help with child attachment issues, language development concerns, child behaviour, or confidence with social situations. The session is for parents - children can attend a free creche, subject to availability. The current programme has already started, but families with a child starting school reception in 2027 can look out for programmes starting in the autumn. Incredible Years pre-school

Summer activities at the Family Hubs - the family hubs are planning free, fun sessions over the summer, to help your child feel confident and ready to start school.

To be the first to hear about these free sessions you can register your interest here: Register an interest for family hub summer activities.

Keep looking at the Family Hub timetables and the Family Hub Facebook pages to find out about all the amazing free support and activities at your family hub! 

Is your child ready to learn?

Your school nursing team wants to ensure your child has a great start to their learning journey.

If your child will reach school-age between now and September 2026, the team invite you to one of these helpful “Ready to Learn” sessions.

The team will be sharing tips and advice so your child can:

• Get dressed on their own - putting on and taking off their coat
• Eat without help using a knife, fork and spoon
• Go to the toilet without help
• Listen to their teacher - you'll find out how to help your child concentrate and engage in school, as well as the importance of sleep and bedtime routine
• Get ready to write - for example using a crayon for colouring or drawing
• Feel confident and happy - so they settle quicker when you leave them at school.

Book an appointment for your child!

Individual sessions are available on the dates below, between the times shown. Please phone Bradford District Care Trust on 01274 221203 to book your child's place!

Thursday, 28 May:

• Farcliffe Family Hub - 9.30am to 1pm
• Barkerend Family Hub - 1pm to 4.30pm

Tuesday, 2 June:

• TFD Family Hub - 9.30am to 1pm
• Gateway Family Hub - 1pm to 4.30pm

Friday, 12 June:

• Shipley Library – 9.15am to 12.45pm
• Farcliffe Family Hub - 1pm to 4.30pm

Wednesday, 15 July: Gateway Family Hub - 9.30am to 4pm

Thursday, 23 July: Reevy Hill Family Hub - 9.30am to 4pm

Tuesday, 28 July: Rainbow Family Hub - 9.30am to 4pm

Wednesday, 5 August: Farcliffe Family Hub - 9.30am to 4pm

Thursday, 13 August: Shipley Library - 9.30am to 4pm

Wednesday, 19 August: TFD Family Hub - 9.30am to 4pm

Wednesday, 26 August: Barkerend Family Hub - 9.30am to 4pm

You can also browse these sessions on the FYI website: Ready to Learn

Toilet training for children with SEND

Children with SEND may take longer to achieve toilet training and need more support.

Free workshops are coming up to support parents and carers with toilet training for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Offered by the Special Needs and Public Health School Nursing Team, these 2 hour workshops can help you to create a consistent, positive toileting journey for your child.

Workshops are available online and at Barkerend and TFD Family Hubs over the next few weeks. 

Find out dates and booking information on the FYI website: SEND toilet training.

Talking Bradford can help you child get ready for reception!

Ready, Steady…Reception booklet now available

We know how daunting the thought of your child starting school can feel. That’s why the team at Bradford 50 Things To Do Before You’re Five has created a new interactive booklet designed to help children begin Reception in September with confidence.

The Ready, Steady… Reception booklet encourages families, together with their children to complete six simple activities together over the summer holidays, offering a fun and meaningful way to build confidence and key skills before children start school.

The activities are linked to the popular 50 Things To Do Before You’re Five programme and include practical, play-based learning such as:

• Dressing up, which helps children practise dressing independently
• Hopping, skipping and jumping to support balance, coordination and strength
• Sharing stories to encourage attention, conversation, speech and language skills

…and much more.

The booklet complements national resources available through startingreception.co.uk and also signposts families to additional support around reducing screen time and toilet training.

Thanks to funding from Bradford Children and Families Trust, all Bradford children starting Reception in September can receive a copy of the booklet. Ready, Steady… Reception is now being distributed through schools and and families can pick them up from Best Start Family Hubs across the district.

For more fun, screen-free ideas and inspiration, explore the 50 Things To Do Before You’re Five programme and discover simple activities that support children’s learning, development and wellbeing through play.

Taking 'Togetherness' to BRI's Neonatal Unit 

The FYI service recently visited the Neonatal Unit (NNU) at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI), to talk to colleagues about free online courses from Togetherness, available for families who have a pre-term or sick baby.

Typically, the NNU unit cares for around 500 babies each year, who need extra care because they were born early (pre-term) or are poorly. It is a difficult time for parents, whose main focus is simply wanting their baby to be well enough to go home.

The Togetherness NHS online pathway can help parents, carers and other members of the family better understand what their new baby is going through, as well as their own feelings, and is a helpful addition to the support families receive in the hospital.

FYI Manager Emma took packs of Togetherness information cards for colleagues to hand to families, and by way of a ‘thank you’ for their time, treated colleagues and parents to cakes and other treats.

A big thank you to Tracey, Megan, Fatima, and all the colleagues and parents for being so welcoming.

Emma is a regular visitor at our district’s neonatal and maternity wards, and will also be returning to Airedale General Hospital soon, to provide Togetherness resources for families and colleagues there.

• Understanding your preterm or sick baby in hospital
• Understanding your preterm or sick baby now you’re home

Find out more about Togetherness

Whether you're a mum, dad, carer, parent-to-be, grandparent or teenager, Togetherness offers trusted online learning across a range of themes, providing support with relationships, emotional health, and parenting.

The Togetherness website is completely FREE to use for everyone in the Bradford District, with the access code BDPARENTS.

Find out more on the Togetherness website. You can also find Togetherness on the parenting programmes pathway on the FYI website, where you can also explore other support that is available. 

Next SEND Marketplace at Shipley Library

Our Family Hubs across the district are hosting SEND Marketplace drop-in events every month throughout 2026.

The next SEND marketplace will be at Shipley Library, on Monday, 29 June, from 9.30am to 11.30am.

Come along for advice, support and to discuss any concerns you have with specialist services including Carer's Resource, SENDIASS, Bradford district's Local Offer, the Family Hub's Family Navigators, and more.

There will be support available on themes that matter most to parents and carers, including Autism/ADHD, finance/benefits, speech and language, relationship issues, sleeping difficulties, and education. 

More dates from July:

• 27 July, 1pm to 3pm, at Barkerend Family Hub
• 24 August, 9.30am to 12.30pm, at Farcliffe Family Hub
• 25 September, 2pm to 4.30 pm, at Reevy Hill Family Hub
• 26 October, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, at Rainbow Family Hub
• 30 November, 1 to 3pm at Barkerend Family Hub
• 21 December, 9.30am to 12.30 pm, at Farcliffe Family Hub

More information and all the dates are here: SEND support in Family Hubs.

Little Minds Matter – supporting babies across the Bradford district

Having a baby is a special time for most but can also bring many challenges for families.

Little Minds Matter can offer a range of support to babies and their caregivers.  You don't need to be referred by a professional, families can call 01274 251298 or email littlemindsmatter@bdct.nhs.uk. 

If you are a professional working with a family where there is a child under 2, we can support you too. Please get in touch.

You can find out more about Little Minds Matter on the FYI website: Little Minds Matter. 

Could you or someone you know be a Bradford district childminder?

Bradford Council is looking for committed people to become Bradford district childminders. 

Meet Aalya (pictured above) who is a Bradford district childminder. Watch Aalya's video about being a childminder on YouTube:  Proud to be a Bradford District childminder (Aalya)

What's it like being a childminder?

Aalya says: 'If I was to describe my job in three words it would be fun, challenging and exciting. It's a very rewarding job as you see children develop over time, you see them learn little things every day. This is like no other job, and if you're thinking of exploring childminding as a career I’d say just go for it.'

The benefits of childminding as a career, include:

• flexibility to fit around your life
• it's a rewarding job
• you can vary what you do each day 
• the chance to create strong bonds with children and their families.

Find out more

The first step towards a new, rewarding career is signing up for a free childminding information session. You can find out more and sign up online: How to become a registered childminder.

For more information, including more videos featuring real Bradford district childminders, visit: www.bradford.gov.uk/childminding 

Last chance this school year to attend 'school anxiety' support group

• Is your child struggling to go to school due to feelings of worry or stress?
• Are you unsure about what to do?

Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), happens when children and young people have worries and difficulties attending school.

For helpful support in a safe space, you can join the friendly Parent Support Group with the Educational Psychology Team. Here you can:

• Share and listen to other parents
• Get ideas to help
• Learn more about what you can do to support your child, a
• Understand more about what you can expect from school

The groups will run for 4 sessions - you must be able to attend all 4.

The last group of this school year starts in June:

• Reevy Hill Family Hub, BD6 3ST - Wednesday, 10 June to Wednesday, 1 July, 1pm to 2.30pm.

Open to families living anywhere in the Bradford District.

Book: by e-mailing EBSA@bradford.gov.uk or by calling 01274 439444.

Find out more on the FYI website - EBSA sessions. 

Congratulations Krishna on your volunteering milestone!

We’re proud to celebrate one of our Family Hub's amazing volunteers, Krishna Rathod, who has recently reached an important milestone with us - generously giving 40 hours of their time to support one of our Family Hubs.

Krishna volunteers is a Family Activities volunteer, helping to run groups and events, and acting as a brilliant parent ambassador for the hub.

Thank you, Krishna - your contribution has made a real difference to children and families across Bradford.

All of our volunteering roles are currently full, but we’re planning to expand opportunities district‑wide over the coming year. If you’d like to express your interest in becoming a volunteer with us, you can do so through this page on FYI: Volunteer at a Family Hub.

Information, news and training
for professionals and practitioners

Best Start Local Plan 2026-2029 published

Thank you to everyone that gave feedback on the draft Best Start Local Plan for the.

The updated version, incorporating feedback, has now been published on the FYI website in the practitioners section: Family Hubs and BSiL Programme Overview.

In the Bradford District, we are ambitious for our children and families. We want every child to have the best possible start in life, because we know that the earliest years shape future health, learning, and life chances. Best Start in Life will:

• support families during pregnancy and with children aged 0 to 5,
• help children along the stepping stones to access excellent early education, be ready to start school reception, and achieve a good level of development at the end of their time in reception.

The local plan, primarily aimed at our workforce, partnerships and stakeholders, is a short, 'high level' plan. This will be followed up with a more detailed delivery plan and family-friendly information.

Prevention and Early Help Strategy published

The Best Start Local Plan links to the Bradford District's Prevention and Early Help Strategy. This has also been published recently - you can find it here: Prevention and Early Help Strategy 2026-2031.

Family Hubs and Best Start in Life
useful information and contacts

Family Hub timetables - May 2026

Our Family Hub area timetables, on the FYI website, show the sessions and activities that are taking place for families in the coming month.

Some sessions will need booking in advance - please contact your Family Hub if you would like to book a place.

Our Family Hubs around the district

Follow us on Facebook You can follow the FYI service and all the Family Hubs on Facebook: Bradford East  Bradford West Bradford South Keighley/Shipley FYI - Families and Young Person's Information

Newsletter - past issues

We hope you enjoy the Best Start in Life newsletter. With over 5,000 subscribers, we think it's one of the best ways of keeping up to date with what’s happening for families across the Bradford District!

The great news is you can now catch up with the latest issues (and a full archive of past newsletters) on the FYI website. Visit the new newsletters page today and stay connected!

What's on guide - on FYI

The FYI (Families and Young Person's Information) website has a What's On guide, which is kept up-to-date with events around the district for families, children and young people.

There are various filters to help you search, including by date, post code, age group and event category.

You can also search by 'key word' to find what you are interested in - just use the 'Search' function while you are on the What's On page. 

Take a look and find out what's happening near you!

Why have I received this email?

You have received this email from Family Hubs and Start for Life because you previously subscribed to receive Family Hub Information from one or more of our Family Hubs: Keighley and Shipley, Bradford East, Bradford South and Bradford West.

Stay subscribed to make sure you don't miss out on any future updates! 

If you have been sent this email by someone else, you can sign up for future emails here: