Every child deserves the best possible start for a happy, healthy, and successful life. The first years, from pregnancy to starting school, are crucial for your child's future health, learning, and well-being.
By 2028, we want more children in Lincolnshire to be ready for school.
A 'Good Level of Development' (GLD) in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is when a child reaches the "expected" level in the 12 Early Learning Goals (ELGs) across five key areas: Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication and Language; Physical Development; Literacy; and Mathematics.
- 76.7% of all children should reach a Good Level of Development by age 5.
- For children from low-income families (those eligible for Free School Meals), we want 61.2% to reach this level.
Why early years matter
The Marmot Review shows that what happens from pregnancy onwards shapes lifelong health, learning, and economic outcomes, influencing risks of obesity, heart disease, mental health challenges, and future stability. (Source: Institute of Health Equity, 2010).
The first 1,001 days are critical – but often challenging for parents. Evidence shows early investment works, especially for disadvantaged children, and collaboration across health, education, and family support is key. (Source: HM Government, 2021).
Long term research now provides clear evidence that the Sure Start programme, introduced in 1999, delivered significant and lasting benefits for children and families. It improved health outcomes by reducing hospital admissions and childhood obesity, boosted educational attainment, especially for disadvantaged children, and generated substantial economic returns.
Lincolnshire's Children's Centres and Best Start Family Hubs are central to this mission, helping families navigate challenges and give every child the best start in life.
We are building a joined-up, accessible early years system, working in partnership with health partners, schools, early years providers, and community organisations. Together, we will ensure families get the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
We know we can't do this alone. The professionals across Lincolnshire's early years landscape – in settings, schools, family hubs, health services, and charities – bring passion and expertise. You, and above all, the children and families we serve, are at the heart of this strategy.
Find out more about the Best Start Family Hubs national information, including the roadmap.
Mission statement and ambitions
Every child deserves the strongest possible foundation for a healthy, happy and successful life.
The early years from conception to reception are critical in shaping future health, well-being, and development.
- Support from the start - families can easily find and access help during pregnancy and beyond, without having to tell their story multiple times.
- Enough places for all - there will be enough childcare and early education places across Lincolnshire.
- Early access to funded entitlements - children who qualify for funded childcare will be able to start as soon as possible.
- Help for children with additional needs - early intervention and high quality support to enable all children to reach developmental goals.
- High-Quality Early Education - every child will have access to safe, inclusive, and high-quality early years settings.
- Smooth Transitions - children will move confidently from home to nursery, and then into school.
By 2028, we want more children in Lincolnshire to be ready for school.
A Good Level of Development means your child is confident in communication, language, physical skills, social and emotional development, literacy, and maths - giving them the best start for school and beyond.
Targets to be achieved
- 76.7% of all children reaching a Good Level of Development by age 5.
- 61.2% of children eligible for Free School Meals reaching a Good Level of Development.
A case for change
The early years are critical for child development, yet too many families struggle to access trusted advice and support. This shows a clear opportunity to improve access to early help for Lincolnshire families during a crucial stage in their child’s development.
What we know
- “1 in 4 families with children under five report difficulties.” (Source: Department for Education, 2025).
- “Early disadvantages last a lifetime.”
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds often start school up to five months behind in language skills and are over three times more likely to face multiple adverse childhood experiences. (Source: House of Commons, 2021).
Strong parent-infant relationships, along with understanding and responding to babies' needs (voice of the baby) are critical foundations for healthy development and reducing these gaps. When caregivers consistently respond to babies' cues whether through eye contact, soothing, or meeting basic needs it builds secure attachment. (Source: Parent-Infant Foundation, 2026)
Exclusive breastfeeding for six months benefits both mother and child. Lower breastfeeding rates are linked to poorer health, higher obesity risk, and reduced brain development. (Source: WHO, 2023).
By age five, two-fifths of the attainment gap seen at age 16 is already established. (Source: Educational Policy Institute, 2025).
Families tell us they value clear, joined-up support where they only tell their story once. By strengthening connections between health, education, and community services, we can make it easier for parents to get the help they need, when they need it, especially in rural and coastal areas where access can be more challenging.
Parents and carers are children's first educators and are at the heart of a child's development. We want to celebrate and support this role by providing accessible, evidence-based advice and practical tools that make home learning fun and effective for every family.(Source: Department for Education, 2025).
Driving change through Best Start Family Hubs
As a trailblazer authority for the Start for Life and Best Start Family Hubs programme, Lincolnshire has led the way in transforming services for families.
Through our 47 Children's Centres and Best Start Family Hubs in areas of highest need, supported by Best Start networks, we've driven real change; using integrated working, innovation, and community partnerships to deliver faster access to support and better outcomes for families. The impact is already visible, and the lessons we've learned will continue to shape a future where every child has the best start in life.
What has made a difference?
Speech and language support
We've introduced a new way to help pre-school children (aged 0–4) who need a little extra support with talking and communication. Thanks to a successful pilot, families can now get quicker advice and support at their local family hub. (Source: LCHS, 2025).
This means:
- Shorter waiting times so your child gets help sooner.
- Better experiences for parents, carers, and early years settings.
- Working together: early years specialists and therapists under one roof.
- Local and easy-to-access services for families.
Neonatal support for the most vulnerable babies
The expansion of the Family and Baby (FAB) team has reached nearly every neonatal family in Lincolnshire, improving emotional wellbeing, parent-infant bonding, and ensuring seamless continuity of care from hospital to community. (Source: LGA, 2025).
Breastfeeding support
We've strengthened breastfeeding support through our county-wide infant feeding strategy—delivering trained teams, specialist help, and a breastfeeding-friendly culture to improve maternal and child health, reduce inequalities, and ease NHS pressures through prevention.
What's next
SEND Support in Best Start Family Hubs
We have professionals who provide high quality advice in our Hubs, offering a safe space for parents to access advice and connect with the right professionals so every child can thrive.
Parent infant relationship support
We're committed to strengthening parent–infant relationships by creating streamlined pathways and giving professionals access to expert psychological advice, so they can provide the best support for families who require extra help.
Public health prevention and early intervention
Best Start Family Hubs, working as part of new Neighbourhood Health Teams to provide integrated care and early access to support to improve outcomes and experience for children and young people and their families who need help from multiple services.
Enhanced outreach and targeting to our identified priority groups
Deliver our integrated Best Start offer through Best Start Family Hubs, combining outreach and voluntary sector partnerships, focusing resources in the right places and targeting priority groups—including families who do not ordinarily access hubs—where we can achieve the greatest impact, supported by more evidence based training for the wider community.
Healthy Child Programme
Aligning the Health Visiting Service to the updated Healthy Child Programme with a stronger focus on supporting children to have the best start in life and be ready for school.
Find out more about the Best Start Family Hubs national information.
Focusing on priority groups
To close the gap in early outcomes, Lincolnshire must concentrate efforts where the greatest inequalities exist and where targeted action can deliver the most significant impact.
Our analysis shows that some groups consistently face barriers to achieving a Change to Good Level of Development (GLD) and represent a substantial proportion of children entering school without the expected foundation.
By prioritising these groups, we can make meaningful progress for children. These groups will be a golden thread through each of the Chapters of this strategy.
- Children without a completed Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ3): This forms part of the developmental check, completed at a 2-2½ year review with the Children's Health Service. Missing developmental checks means missed opportunities for early identification and support. The Government has highlighted it is a national priority to increase the uptake and quality of these 2-2 ½ year reviews.
- Males: Boys are significantly less likely to achieve a Good Level of Development (GLD) compared to girls, with language and communication gaps being a key driver.
- Children with low Reception attendance: Poor attendance limits access to high-quality early education and compounds disadvantage.
- Summer-born children: Younger children often start school less ready, with summer-born boys particularly at risk of falling behind.
- Children eligible for Free School Meals (FSM): often linked to lower-income households, are less likely to achieve a GLD. Only 1 in 2 FSM children reach the expected level, compared to 7 in 10 children from more affluent backgrounds.
- Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND): are much less likely to achieve a Good Level of Development (GLD). Only 1 in 5 children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support reach the expected level.
- Children accessing Early Years Entitlements: Studies show that early years educational experiences significantly influence readiness for Reception and future academic success.
- 3-4 year olds: This age range are prioritised for evidence-based programmes to accelerate progress toward the GLD target, while there still also remains a focus on 0-5 including through outreach, peer support, and community engagement.
Lincolnshire's context
The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) provides a picture of current and future health needs of the local population, by collating a range of evidence in one place. (Source: LHIH, 2026).
The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is England’s official measure of relative deprivation, combining factors like income, health, education, housing, and crime to rank neighbourhoods from most to least deprived. The IMD 2025 data for Lincolnshire shows clear inequalities: urban centres and coastal communities are among the most deprived, while many rural areas are less deprived. This helps target support where it’s needed most.
For programmes like Best Start Family Hubs, focusing outreach and services in the most deprived areas is key to reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for children.
Find out more about the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.
Strategic context at a glance
In Lincolnshire, child poverty has risen sharply, with some districts among the highest in the East Midlands. Nearly one in three children in Lincoln (30.5%), Boston (30.8%), and East Lindsey (30.4%) were living in poverty. Across the county, this means between five and nine children in every classroom are growing up in low income households.(Source: Department for Work and Pensions, 2024)
- Current performance - currently 66.4% of children in Lincolnshire achieve a Good Level of Development (GLD) at the end of their Reception year, and this is 50% for those eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).
- Large, rural county - Lincolnshire is England's second-largest county, with 72% rural land and nearly half the population living in rural areas - creating unique access and service delivery challenges.
- Demographic shift - the early years population is shrinking, with birth rates falling by 30% over the past decade. This will reduce overall demand but increase pressure to adapt services for sustainability.
- Rising Complexity - despite fewer young children, their needs are intensifying
- Childcare support - Currently 626 early years childcare providers. Lincolnshire maintains a strong and diverse childcare market, with almost 15,000 children accessing funded entitlements and 82% of parents reporting they can secure the childcare they need.
What parents and carers told us
We want:
- Holistic support: practical advice, emotional reassurance, and opportunities for children to thrive.
- Visibility and accessibility: parents often don't know what's available or struggle to access it.
- Community and connection: parents value peer networks and friendly staff, but some feel isolated.
- Inclusivity and variety: requests for more tailored sessions, support for dads, and recognition of diverse needs.
Direct quotes from Parent Carer Panel representatives (2025):
- "Children's Centres feel like a home from home – welcoming and friendly."
- "Staff are amazing – they make you feel comfortable and supported."
- "Family Hubs give me reassurance and advice when I need it most."
- “It's a safe space where I can meet other parents and share experiences."
- "The groups have helped my child's development and my confidence as a parent."
- "I love that everything is in one place – health, play, and support."
Feedback was gathered through parent carer panels in October and November 2025. These panels bring together parents and carers of babies and young children who use family hubs, providing valuable insights into needs and gaps in provision.
“Parents play a central role in shaping how Best Start Family Hubs are delivered, with increased outreach planned to ensure no one misses out.”
Get Involved
Express interest in joining a parent carer panel by contacting your local family hub. We also work in partnership with Lincolnshire Parent Carer Panels with parents and carers of children and young people (0–25 years) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
What professionals told us
We've been listening to the people who support families everyday, from health professionals, early years settings, community groups, and local services. We asked them what matters most for families like yours and how we can make things better together.
They said:
- Families need holistic support, and barriers (practical, cultural, and emotional) should be removed.
- Early education and childcare must be accessible and sustainable
- Quality childcare depends on a strong, respected workforce
- System integration and clarity enable impact.
Learn more about the Lincolnshire Parent Carer Panel.
Chapter 1 - better support for families
We want to make it easier for everybody to get high quality family support at the right time, reduce inequalities, and give every child the best start in life.
Welcoming, inclusive spaces
Families need safe, friendly places where they feel comfortable, can meet others, and access support without judgment.
What are we doing?
- We have a network of Children's Centres and Best Start Family Hubs open as warm, welcoming spaces.
- Drop-in sessions like Pop in and Play, clothing banks, and lending libraries.
- Making sure every new family gets a tour of their local hub when attending a health appointment, including in the antenatal period.
- Having SEND trained professionals in every Family Hub to help parents.
- Listening to all parents and carers to keep improving - for example through Parent Carer Panels.
- Extra help for families who need it.
What this means:
- Parents will find safe, friendly places to meet other parents and get support.
- No family will be turned away.
- If parents need extra help, we will be there to guide you.
Clear, easy-to-find Information
Parents often say it's hard to know what help is available. We want to make it simple.
What are we doing?
- Communicating our clear local parent pathway through our Best Start In Life brochure with everything you need from conception to Reception. All families will receive this in the antenatal period, or can collect one themselves from a local family hub.
- Evolving our family hub activities in response to local needs and feedback.
- Delivering evidence based public health advice and interventions.
What this means:
- One clear place for all the information parents need, that is designed around the parent.
- Easy access online or in print.
- Evidence based support that will help parents and their child.
Joined-up support
Families shouldn't have to go from service to service or repeat their story. Parents often say it's hard to know what help is available. We want to make it simple.
What are we doing?
- Bringing services together under one roof: birth registration, midwives, health visitors, parenting support, SEND advice, infant feeding, mental health, speech and language, and even help with money and housing.
- Training Family Hub Navigators to guide you to the right help.
- Offering drop-ins, home visits, online support and community outreach.
- Working with all services, including: childcare, health services, education, family help, the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector to understand how best to meet local community needs together.
- Parents are now invited to self-book their child’s 2–2½ year health visitor assessment and are sent the ASQ-3 questionnaire in advance, giving them time to complete it before the appointment.
What this means:
- One place for multiple services.
- Someone to guide you through the process.
- Easier booking and better access to health checks, vaccinations, and advice.
- Parents can now book their child’s 2–2½ year health visitor check at a convenient time and place, making it easier to attend and ensuring more children get access to early support
Support for parenting and early learning
We know parenting can be challenging, and early learning matters.
What are we doing?
- Offering proven evidence-based programmes.
- Helping with speech and language through communication and literacy activities.
- Reaching out to families in areas where support is needed most.
- Training staff in mental health, infant feeding, SEND support, and parenting programmes.
- Keeping services up to date and listening to parents through Parent Carer Panels.
- Offering a comprehensive timetable of sessions, designed to increase children’s development.
What this means:
- Free to access courses (funded by local government) to build confidence and support children’s development.
- Help with home learning and language skills.
- Parents build trusted relationships with professionals who offer non-judgmental support, are well-informed about local services, and can confidently access the right help at the right time.
- Parents voice helps shape the services we provide.
- Parents can either drop-in or look online at timetabled sessions delivered through their local Best Start Family Hub.
Chapter 2 - more accessible early education and childcare
We know that children who attend early education have a better chance of reaching their full potential. This chapter is all about making childcare easier to find, more affordable, and available for every family who is eligible so parents can work, study, and thrive.
Helping families find childcare
It can be confusing to know what's available and what you're entitled to. We want to make it simple.
What are we doing?
- Sharing clear information about funded childcare offers and how to apply.
- Promoting government schemes so families don't miss out.
- Keeping the Lincolnshire County Council website up to date with easy-to-understand guidance.
- Providing a Family Services Directory so you can find childcare near you.
- Making sure providers share clear details about their services and costs.
- Training professionals to help parents access their entitlements.
- Parents of children with SEND understand the additional funding and support available to access childcare.
What this means:
- Parents will know what help you can get.
- Finding childcare will be easier.
- Children with additional needs will have the right support.
Making childcare affordable
Childcare costs can be a big worry for families. We're working to reduce costs and make things clearer.
What are we doing?
- Funding providers to deliver government childcare entitlements.
- Making sure any extra charges are clear and optional.
- Helping providers stay sustainable so they can keep fees fair.
- Requiring clear invoices so parents know what they're paying for.
- Increasing funding for children with SEND.
What this means:
- Families could save around £7,500 a year.
- Flexible options if parents want extra hours or services.
- Clear, itemised bills—no hidden costs.
- More parents able to return to work or increase hours.
More childcare places where they're needed
We want childcare to be available in the right places, especially in rural and coastal areas where this can be harder to access close to home or work.
What are we doing?
- Checking every year where childcare is available and where gaps exist.
- Publishing reports so families know what's happening.
- Working with providers to create more places where needed.
- Supporting providers with training and fair wages to keep staff.
- Recruiting more childminders in rural areas.
- Making sure there are enough places for children with SEND.
What this means for you:
- Easier access to childcare near home or work.
- More choice of high-quality settings.
- Inclusive places for children with additional needs.
Chapter 3 - improving quality in early years including reception
Lincolnshire is committed to ensuring every child, regardless of background or need, can access high-quality early education—because research shows this helps children thrive in school and life.
Raising quality and supporting staff
Children learn best when they are cared for by skilled, confident professionals.
What are we doing?
- Supporting nurseries, childminders, and family hubs to keep improving quality.
- Preparing settings for the latest Ofsted standards.
- Training staff to understand what children need for school readiness, while offering free or low-cost courses to support early years professionals.
- Helping practitioners share home learning ideas with parents.
What this means:
- Children will be in a safe, high-quality setting.
- Staff will be well-trained and confident in supporting your child's learning.
Supporting children with additional needs
Every child deserves the right support early on.
What are we doing?
- Making sure children with SEND are identified early.
- Giving family hubs and childcare settings access to specialist advice and training.
- Improving systems so health professionals can quickly share concerns and support children with health needs to prevent missed learning.
What this means:
- If a child needs extra help, support will be available sooner.
- Parents will have clear information and guidance on what is available locally.
- More staff are trained to support and meet the needs of children with additional needs through high quality and early intervention.
Smoother transitions into school
Starting school is a big step for children and parents.
What are we doing?
- Giving families clear information about what "school readiness" means.
- Health Visitors having an increased focus on school readiness.
- Helping nurseries and schools work together so transitions are smooth.
- Making sure children with SEND have the same opportunities for a successful start.
- Increased focus on school readiness through Best Start Family Hub offer.
What this means:
- Parents will know what to expect and how to prepare your child for school.
- Children will feel more confident moving from nursery to Reception.
- Children will be supported, so transition becomes easier and successful.
Improving reception classes
Reception is the start of your child's school journey.
What are we doing?
- Training teachers and school leaders to deliver the best early years education.
- Providing programmes of support for new and existing Reception teaching staff.
- Helping schools assess children accurately and plan learning effectively.
What this means:
- Children will benefit from high-quality teaching in Reception.
- Teachers will be confident and well-prepared to support children's development.
Measurable indicators
The Local Government Outcomes Framework, priority outcomes and draft metrics is identified within the national "Giving Every Child the Best Start In Life" strategy.
This Best Start local plan sets out the approach for achieving the 2028 target and ensuring every child benefits from interventions to improve Good Level of Development (GLD) and these are targeted towards children least likely to achieve this.
This plan shows how the Council will target resources to reduce the gaps that exist in GLD attainment.
This dashboard created in Lincolnshire will help track progress towards the national GLD target by 2028 and monitor key indicators across health, education, and family support.
The key metrics identified within 'Best Start In Life' include:
- Children's health: Percentage achieving a good level of development and attendance and take up of the 2-2 ½ year review.
- Take-up rate of 2 year old disadvantage childcare offer.
- Take-up rate of 3-4 year old 15 hours childcare offer.
- Percentage of children with a good level of development up to 5 years old.
Lincolnshire's key indicators:
- Evidence-based programmes - parents readily take up programmes because they know this helps them to understand their child's development.
- Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ3) - ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ3): Parents and professionals are aware that by attending and completing an ASQ3 with the health visiting team at the 2-2.5 year review, children's needs are identified and supported earlier meaning they are much more likely to achieve a GLD at 5.
- School attendance - parents and professionals are aware that by starting school and regularly attending in Reception year, children are more likely to achieve a GLD. Therefore, we will measure % attendance in Reception classes.
- Team Around the Family (TAF) - parents and professionals are aware that by increasing holistic assessments through the Team around the Family it is likely to meet need earlier and reduce deteriorating unmet needs that require more specialist support and provision.
- Outreach - increased engagement of families that need support most through our early years offer.
Conclusion
The transformative changes outlined in the national Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life strategy mark the beginning of a new chapter for the UK, and for Lincolnshire – one that places our children, families, and communities firmly at the heart of everything we do.
Policy summary
This strategy integrates with some of the key initiatives, as below:
Local:
- Better Belonging Lincolnshire: a strategic plan setting out Lincolnshire’s vision to ensure sufficient, inclusive, and local SEND and Alternative Provision
- Child Neglect Strategy 2025-2028: a multi-agency plan to identify and tackle child neglect early so children are safe and supported to thrive.
- Lincolnshire Better Births Strategy: a joined up antenatal and postnatal offer. It brings professionals together at the earliest opportunity to support families. Focusing on health equity and prevention.
- Lincolnshire's Family Help Strategy 2026-2029: a shared, county-wide commitment to providing timely, coordinated, whole-family support so children can grow up safe, supported, and able to thrive within their communities.
- Lincolnshire's Inclusion Strategy: setting an inclusive ethos that prioritises early help and community support for children with SEND.
- Infant Feeding Ambition Strategy 2025-2032: a partnership commitment to ensure every family receives timely, skilled, and accessible breastfeeding support so babies have the healthiest start in life.
- Parent Infant Relationship Strategy 2026-2031: Lincolnshire is due to release a plan to strengthen early parent–infant bonds through coordinated support in the first 1,001 days so every baby can develop secure, healthy relationships.
- Vaccination & Immunisation System Strategy 2025-2030: a county-wide plan to boost vaccination uptake through accessible, high-quality, joined-up services and targeted outreach that reduces inequalities and protects public health.
- Meeting the Needs Together 2026: Lincolnshire’s unified framework that guides practitioners to provide timely, consistent, whole-family support so children are safe, supported, and able to thrive.
National:
- Early Years Foundation Stage:(EYFS) Statutory Framework strengthened safeguarding and workforce routes; defines GLD and standards for 0–5.
- Families First Partnership Programme: earlier help, stronger family networks, expert child protection teams, and clearer safeguarding arrangements. Designed to keep more children safe at home and improve long-term outcomes through social care reform.
- Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life (2025): A national plan to boost early child development by 2028 through stronger family services, easier access to childcare, and higher-quality early education.
- Healthy Child Programme (HCP) 0-19: a national public health programme in England focuses on prevention, early identification, and intervention from pregnancy through to age 19 (or 25 for young people with SEND).
- 10 Year NHS Plan (2025): prioritises maternity care and aids the groundwork for integrated services. Designed to bring care closer to home, reduce inequalities, and improve school readiness and long-term outcomes for children and young people.
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023: enhancing multi-agency collaboration across the entire support and protection system for children, young people and their families.
- CORE20Plus 5: designed to support Integrated Care Systems to drive targeted action in healthcare inequalities improvement.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to all those who contributed to developing this strategy. This includes:
- Parent and carer representatives
- Parent carer panels
- Lincolnshire County Council colleagues
- Schools and maintained nurseries
- NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB)
- Local maternity and neonatal services
- Voluntary and community sector organisations, including early years settings
A baby's development is like nurturing a seed - it needs a strong, loving foundation to thrive. From pregnancy through early life, being present, responsive, and attentive helps babies build brain connections and feel safe and connected. Simple interactions rooted in affirmation, affection, and attention create stability and belonging, setting the stage for lifelong growth.
By working together across health, education, and community services, and by listening to parents and carers, we will create a system that is seamless, inclusive, and focused on what matters most: putting families at the heart of our offer. (Source: Lorna Crossan)