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BookStart - Additional Needs Packs

BookStart - Additional Needs Packs logo

Description

Bookstart is a national bookgifting programme. It's designed to help babies, toddlers and preschoolers (ages 0-5 years) discover the magic of shared reading.

Each free Bookstart package contains books, materials, and activities. They are also available for children with additional needs and in dual languages.

Bookstart packs are delivered to families by health, library, and early years professionals.

Free Bookstart Baby and Dual-Language Books

Bookstart Baby packs are gifted free to all babies before they turn one. Free dual-language books are also available for families with English as an additional language.

In England, your health visitor or another health professional should gift this Bookstart Baby pack in your baby's first year to help you share stories, rhymes and songs.

Free Bookstart Toddler and Pre-Schooler Packs

Bookstart Toddler packs are aimed at 1-2 year-olds. Bookstart Pre-Schooler packs are aimed at 3-4 year-olds. BookTrust gift around 400,000 of these every year, so not all families will receive them. The charity works with local authorities and early years practitioners to ensure they are distributed fairly. 

Free BookStart Packs for Children With Additional Needs

Families are entitled to any of these packs in addition to any other Bookstart packs they receive. A set amount of packs are given to each local authority's bookstart coordinator, who can be contacted via your health visitor, health clinic, early years setting, or local library.

Bookstart Shine - for children who are deaf

There are two packs available: Bookstart Shine Baby (for 0-2 year-olds) and Bookstart Shine Toddler (for 3-5 year-olds). 

Bookstart Touch - for children who are blind or partially sighted

There are two packs available: Bookstart Touch Baby (for 0-2 year-olds) and Bookstart Touch Toddler (for 3-5 year-olds).

Bookstart Star - for children with conditions affecting their fine motor skills

This pack is available for children aged 3-5 who have disabilities that impact on or delay the development of their fine motor skills.

Contact your local library for more information or to request a Bookstart pack:

BookTrust is a registered charity (no. 313343).

 

Cost
Free
Locality
  • Brackley Area
  • Daventry Area
  • Northampton Area
  • Towcester Area
  • West Northamptonshire
  • Northamptonshire
  • National Organisation
Additional languages
Translation and/or Interpreting Available on Request
Age range
Suitable for ages from 0 to 5 years
Referral route
  • Professional Referral
  • Self Referral
For people with
  • Suitable for Everyone
  • Sensory Impairments
  • Physical Disabilities
  • Special Educational Needs or a Disability (SEND)
Eligibility criteria
  • Age Range - Early Years
  • Open to Everyone
  • Special Educational Needs or a Disability (SEND)
Provider category
  • Universal Services - Suitable for Everyone
  • Targeted Services - Additional Support Needs

Follow this service

Address:

c/o BookTrust London, G8 Battersea Studios, 80 Silverthorne Road
Battersea
London
SW8 3HE
United Kingdom

Disclaimer

Publication on the Local Offer does not endorse a provider, so please take reasonable steps to ensure that any service found on the Local Offer is suitable for your family member. For more information, please read our disclaimer.

Last updated 13 August 2024