Your child’s next steps

In Lincolnshire, we have high aspirations for all our children. All children deserve the care and support they need to have the best start in life. We believe that early learning provides the foundation children need to fulfil their potential. 

Children learn from those around them and through the experiences and opportunities they are given. Everyday interactions like singing songs, talking, and walking to the park, all provide new opportunities for children to learn and develop.

This information is designed to give you some ideas and resources to further help your child on their journey as life-long learners.

If your child already attends an early years setting they will also be able to offer you ideas. Settings include:

• Children’s Centre
• Nursery
• Pre-school
• Childminder

If your child is not yet attending a setting but you are considering it, all of the information you need can be found at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/support-childcare-costs.

Our local offer will help to you to find an Early Years setting near you.

Guidance and information

We run 48 children's centres in Lincolnshire, including 10 Family Hubs, which offer activities, free drop-in sessions, and helpful services.

These are free to join for families with children from birth to age five. Any adult who is caring for a child can access services at the centre.

• guidance to your child’s learning and development in the early years foundation stage, what to expect and when
• we encourage you to attend an a childminder, nursery or pre-school to take up their Early Years Education Entitlement, so that they can gain the learning and well-being benefits of early education
• Tiny Happy People - helps you develop your child's language skills
• Inspiring a love of books with babies:

• Inspiring a love of books with toddlers:

• Inspiring a love of books with pre-schoolers:
  

• Lincolnshire Library Service - reading books helps your toddlers development in a number of ways, getting your child familiar with sounds, words, language, print and, the value and joy of books
• Family Corner - is packed full of helpful articles on all aspects of child development including health, behaviour, communication and fun activities
• Hungry Little Minds - learning to talk resources one to five years
• Lincolnshire Health Visiting Team - providing health advice and information about your baby, child or young person
• Health for under 5s - support from trusted NHS professionals for healthy happy early years
• Team Around the Child (TAC) - offers early help and support for children as soon as we have a worry about them
• ERIC - national charity dedicated to improving children’s bowel and bladder health

Development concerns

If you are worried about your child’s learning or development, additional support can be found by speaking to a Family Hub/Children’s Centre navigator at your local Family Hub/Children’s Centre.

They will be able to connect you to the appropriate services. You can also seek support from your child’s Early Years setting.

A number of services may be able to help, including:

• Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum (LPCF) -  they are specifically tasked with working alongside the Local Authority and Health to help ensure that the services they plan, commission, deliver and monitor meet the needs of children with Disabilities and Special Educational Needs.
• Speech and language therapists - they work in partnership with you and your child, as well as any other professional involved in their care, to enable them to reach communication potential. Our goal is to work closely with your family and educational staff so you understand your child’s needs, empowering you to be able to support and enable you and your child to achieve their best. 
• Council for Disabled Children - they want disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs to have full and happy childhoods, to fulfil their potential, and be active within the community. And we want parents of disabled children to be parents first - living ordinary lives.
• CBeebies Parenting - looking for parenting and pre-school tips? Maybe you’re after ideas for a creative activity, delicious recipe or the perfect party? You’ll find all those, along with insights into CBeebies shows and how they support your child's development.
• One step at a time approach - the Lincolnshire Health Team have put together some short clips for parents and carers to support children with toilet skills development.
• Toilet training children with additional needs - almost all children can learn to be clean and dry. Children with special needs including delayed development and physical disabilities may take a little longer and need more support. 
• Toilet training troubleshooting tips - this video provides practical strategies and proven tips to help navigate common setbacks during toilet skills development.
• The Story of You: Best Start in Life