Bookstart programme update

Please note this information has been sent to Bookstart Coordinators via their Regional Managers and to SCL and ASCEL for distribution to members via their channels of communication.

Find out key information on the changes to the Bookstart programme, including changes to the packs, amendments to regional boundaries and communications, details of Bookstart Corner and more.

Regional Managers

Each scheme is asked to contact their BRM in the first instance regarding any queries they have or clarifications that they need about the information below. The BRM team is there to offer advocacy and support.

Boundary Changes

We are making some boundary changes and, in addition, we have appointed two National Advisors (NAs) from the current regional team who can be called upon in situations where additional advocacy support is needed. More information to follow.

Changes in Communications

We have agreed the following changes with SCL and ASCEL. In each local authority, information for libraries will be sent out to:

• strategic lead for SCL
• a strategic lead for ASCEL
• the Bookstart Coordinator(s)

This will replace the previous method of staggered communications and will ensure that key contacts all receive information at the same time.

We will only be able to begin this system once all Bookstart schemes have returned the key contact form that we sent to you via email on 9 May 2011.

Please complete the document ASAP and return to your BRM.

Partnership Agreement

We are currently working with the DfE on the Bookstart Partnership Agreement for Bookstart 2011/13. SCL and ASCEL colleagues are part of this process.

The Partnership Agreement will be sent out in June and we hope all local authorities will have signed up by September. The BRMs and NAs will offer advocacy support on request.

Bookstart +

The final delivery will be in June. July will be the last official gifting month for this intervention. Local schemes should continue to gift the Bookstart+ packs as usual until stocks are exhausted.

The message to families is that that once these packs are gifted there will be no more universal packs for toddlers between 18–30 months. However, Bookstart Baby and Bookstart Treasure will remain universal.

During the gap between Bookstart Baby and Treasure packs, schemes will continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring that parents are encouraged to join the library, take part in story and rhymetimes and join the Bookstart Bear Club if the initiative is running in your local authority.

Pack Components

Over recent months Booktrust has reviewed components, including external packaging, to ensure affordability without compromising quality and safety.

Some components will change over time and there may be deliveries with mixed boxes of old and new programme packs. However, the content of packs will be very similar to the current packs and will still contain two high quality children's books with additional support materials for families.

Bookstart Corner

Bookstart Corner will launch around October 2011.

Up to 3000 children's centres will be invited to join the targeted programme and one of the aims is to ensure that children's centres are making full use of their Bookstart Coordinators and local library service in supporting socially disadvantaged families.  

What we're currently doing

Booktrust is currently conducting focus group research, via the external company ERS, with practitioner and parent volunteers that are actively working in or using children's centre services.  A number of Bookstart Coordinators have volunteered to be part of this research and we will capitalise on their expertise to enhance the partnerships that already exist between libraries and children's centres.

This research will establish the current situation in children's centres with regards to practitioner knowledge and expertise around engaging with families regarding books, stories and rhymes and this will help inform and shape Bookstart Corner. 

What is Bookstart Corner?

The concept of Bookstart Corner is that every participating children's centre will have a physical corner for book sharing that will encourage families to build their own book corner at home. A small collection of books and dual language books will be provided to enhance the existing book stock already in the centre and supplement book loans from the local library.

Children's centres will participate via a signed Partnership Agreement for each individual centre.

Bookstart Corner packs are aimed at children 12 to 30 months. This offers the opportunity to support families from when the child is 12 months old until they begin school at rising five. As such, children's centres will be provided with a far larger window of opportunity than would have been available if we had made the targeted programme the Bookstart Treasure intervention.

Targeted Bookstart Corner packs for disadvantaged families

Each participating centre will also receive 50 Bookstart Corner packs to gift to the most disadvantaged families in their communities. The pack will contain two books selected by the Bookstart book selection panel. 

The packs will also contain guidance for families to support them in sharing books, stories and rhymes in the home and a warm invitation to engage with the children's centre.

Resources in the centre will support practitioners, encouraging them to make best use of the materials, building their skills and confidence to engage with families in this area and ensuring that links with libraries are retained and enhanced further.

Bookstart Corner families will ideally be identified by each children's centre by using local knowledge to establish who would benefit from the packs the most. Centres will work with local outreach partners i.e. Sure Start librarians, Homestart, mother and baby units, traveller workers and others. 

To summarise, the major changes to the Bookstart packs are as follows:

As Bookstart goes through this huge period of change may we thank you for your patience and continued commitment to the programme.  Should any of you require further information, advice or have feedback regarding any of the planned programme changes please don't hesitate to contact your BRM.

Thank you and best wishes

The Bookstart Team

See also:

Rosemary Clarke's blog March 2011