What is Bookstart?
A love of books changes lives. Children who read for pleasure are likely to do better at school, as well as be more socially, culturally and emotionally prepared for life.
BookTrust shares that reading enjoyment is more important for a child’s educational success than their family’s financial or social status.
- The Bookstart programme contains books, resources and activities that encourage and support family reading for young children. Find out more at Bookstart | BookTrust.
Bookstart packs
Packs are distributed to families by a range of professionals across services, including early years practitioners, Child and Family Centres, libraries, NHS Healthy Child Programme, and Family Nursing Partnership.
|
Pack |
Age of the child |
|
Baby |
Up to 12 months. |
|
Shine |
Birth to five years - for children who are deaf. |
|
Touch |
Birth to five years – for children who are blind or partially sighted. |
|
Star |
Four to five years – for children who have disabilities that impact/delay the development of motor skills. |
|
Dual language |
Bookstart supplies dual-language books for children with English as their second language.
|
How is Bookstart taking place across the county?
Packs are distributed to families by a range of professionals across services, including early years practitioners and childminders, Child and Family Centres, libraries, NHS Healthy Child Programme, Foodbanks and Family Nursing Partnership.
- Bookstart Baby – universal offer, usually gifted by a health visitor.
- Bookstart Toddler – Targeted offer, usually gifted by Child and Family Centres or childminders.
- Bookstart Preschooler – targeted offer, usually gifted by early years practitioners in settings.
Find out more about this offer on the BookTrust Bookstart Programme | Cambridgeshire County Council libraries page.
Where can I access Bookstart resources for my child, as a parent or carer?
If your child missed out on their book pack, we can order one for you. Please ask at your local library or email bookstart@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
I am a family-facing practitioner in Cambridgeshire. How can I become involved in Bookstart gifting?
Bookstart toddler and preschooler packs gifting forms part of a targeted offer. We will be in touch with you if your setting is eligible to distribute packs to families.
If you have a family who may have missed a pack, or you feel would benefit from it, and also if you have a family with a child with an additional home language or an additional need, please email bookstart@cambridgeshire.gov.uk to request a pack.
The following additional packs are available:
- Dual language books.
- BookShine – for children who are deaf.
- BookTouch – for visually impaired children, baby/toddler pack available.
- Bookstart Star – for children with delayed fine motor skills development.
Contact
