# data[].attributes.body
For use on inspections from 7th September 2026.

# data[].attributes.headline
Thrive Before Five Padlet for families: re-creating childhood memories- Summer 2026 Campaign

# data[].attributes.subject
Thrive Before Five Padlet for families: re-creating childhood memories- Summer 2026 Campaign

# data[].attributes.headline
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 8-14th June

# data[].attributes.subject
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 8-14th June

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 10th-16th June 2024 Speak up for babies IMHAW 2024 ‘Speak up for babies’ Infant Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 10th - 16th June 2024 and this year’s theme is ‘Speak up for babies’. What is Infant Mental Health Awareness Week? Infant mental health…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Playday is the national day for play in the UK, traditionally held on the first Wednesday in August. Playday 2020 will be celebrated on Wednesday 5 August.

The theme for 2020 is ... Everyday Freedoms Everyday Adventures.

The Playday 2020 theme aims to highlight the importance of giving children and teenagers the freedom to play and have everyday adventures. As well as celebrating children's right to play, the Playday 2020 campaign recognises the impact of government restrictions and physical distancing on children's mental health and opportunities to play freely with friends and in their community.

This year, we want to focus on the unique characteristics of play that we know help children make sense of the world around them and can alleviate their stress and anxiety, particularly during challenging and uncertain times.

Playing is fun and is central to children's happiness

Playing helps children's physical, mental and emotional health and well-being

Playing boosts children's resilience, enabling them to cope with stress, anxiety and challenges

Playing supports children to develop confidence, creativity and problem-solving skills

Playing contributes to children's learning and development.

As in previous years we are calling on families and carers to support children to play in carefree ways, on Playday and every day! Children will play wherever they are and whenever they can - as adults we can support this by making play a part of our daily life.

Playday is an annual day to recognise children's right to play. Although it will be very different to previous Playdays, it's important that we go ahead with this year's celebration, as recognising the importance of children's play is more important than ever.

Due to current government guidance about social gatherings and physical distancing, we are not asking you to organise public Playday events but we are looking forward to hearing about the creative ways in which you plan to celebrate Playday in your area. This year, we are encouraging families to celebrate children's right to play at home. In response to the unusual circumstances, the Playday events section of this website will not be available this year.

We are calling on families, carers, and communities across the UK to join the celebration of play from their doorsteps and clap, cheer, bang pots and pans, and generally Make a Big Noise for Playday at 2:00pm on Wednesday 5 August.

Download a postcard to share with your neighbours to help spread the word so everyone can get involved in Make a Big Noise for Playday.

We are also encouraging everyone to colour in and display the Playday logo in their windows, to show their support for every child's right to play. Download your copy.

For the latest updates on this year's campaign follow us on Facebook and Twitter - and share your plans with us using the #Playday2020 hashtag.

Find out more about Playday.
Playday is coordinated by Play England, Play Wales, Play Scotland and PlayBoard Northern Ireland.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Playday is the national day for play in the UK, traditionally held on the first Wednesday in August. Playday 2020 will be celebrated on Wednesday 5 August. The theme for 2020 is ... Everyday Freedoms Everyday Adventures. The Playday 2020 theme aims to highlight the importance of giving children and teenagers the freedom to play and have everyday adventures.

# data[].attributes.body
Please watch this short webinar about the Thrive Before Five Summer Campaign.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What should I do if I have concerns about my child's development?

If you're worried about your child's progress, talk to your childminder/nursery/pre-school team, health visitor, local children's centre or Family Hub.

If your child has developmental delays or SEND (suspected or confirmed), speak to their nursery, childminder, or health visitor/nursery/pre-school team well before they start Reception and discuss their needs when you are selecting schools.

You can work with your child's early years setting to help your child with self-care, managing emotions, social skills and communication in a way that suits their stage of development.

​You might want to share details about: their development, needs, what motivates them, what might trigger difficulties, how they learn best, and what strategies work well.

Make sure you share important information with everyone supporting your child, including their new Reception teacher.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Your child's journey to school starts at home. We understand that all children develop at their own pace, and that we're all learning from birth. When it's time to start school, some children will need more help than others.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Help for early years providers : Safer sleep

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This article was written by the Department of Education in collaboration with The Lullaby Trust.

# data[].attributes.headline
Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP)

# data[].attributes.subject
Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Concern about a child or young person

Children's Help and Advice Team (CHAT)

From 1 May 2024 the Children's Help and Advice Team (CHAT) is the front door of Sefton Children's Social Care Service. Children's Social Care are the first people you will speak to if you have a concern about a child or young person. They will talk through your concerns and d iscuss what support can be offered. They may arrange for a social worker to visit the family, pass you to over to Early Help colleagues or signpost to services available within the community. Whatever the outcome, you will be a part of making a plan to alleviate any pressures or issues that may be present and finding the best solution for the family.

You can call the CHAT Team on 0151 934 4013

More information on the CHAT Team is available on Sefton Council's website
Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9am-5:30pm, Wednesday 10:30am- 5:30pm (an answerphone service available 9am-10:30am), Friday 9am-4pm

If the issue cannot wait until the next working day, please contact Sefton's Emergency Duty Team outside of the above hours, including weekends and bank holidays, on 0151 934 3555

Remember, if a child or young person is in immediate danger, please call 999.

Family Advice and Support Team (FAST)

FAST is the front door of Sefton's Early Help Service. They are the first people you speak to if you think you or a family you work with could benefit from support from an Early Help Worker.

You can call the FAST Team on 0151 934 4545

More information on FAST Team is available on Sefton Council's website.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Concerned about a child or young person, Sefton Information for Professionals

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Schools And Early Years Settings Offer Toolkit & Resources | National Year Of Reading | National Literacy Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Start your planning for Spring Term 2026 activity for schools and early years settings with our National Year of Reading downloadable calendar and whole-school or setting briefing presentation.

# data[].attributes.body
The Attachment and Trauma Aware Pathway aims to provide the foundational knowledge for early years practitioners to become trauma aware. Please click on the image to visit the pathway.

# data[].attributes.body
For use on inspections from 1st September 2026

# data[].attributes.headline
Education Endowment Foundation: Early Years Toolkit

# data[].attributes.subject
Education Endowment Foundation: Early Years Toolkit

# data[].attributes.body
A summary of the best available evidence on key areas for learning and development in the Early Years.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The EEF is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement.

# data[].attributes.body
The National Year of Reading 2026 will empower teachers and practitioners with creative ways to make reading part of everyday learning, not another thing to add to the list.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Schools | National Year of Reading 2026 | Go All In

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bring reading to life across your school community in 2026 – activities, key moments and ways to join the National Year of Reading.

# data[].attributes.body
A pioneering mental health charity transforming care for children and young people through science, collaboration and clinical innovation.

A focus on discovery, delivering compassionate support, and sharing our knowledge widely.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We work with professionals to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Learn about our training, services, research and more.

# data[].attributes.body
Quality Services and Training for Schools and Educational Settings from Sefton Council.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sefton Education Services is the platform for schools, and other learning establishments, to purchase services and training from one place at the click of a button.The site is also the primary method

# data[].attributes.headline
Discover a range of books to enjoy together

# data[].attributes.subject
Discover a range of books to enjoy together

# data[].attributes.body
A range of children's books to enrich learning, spark curiosity and promote a lifelong love of reading.

# data[].attributes.body
Explore Sefton's Transition documents, including a recorded webinar for educators.

# data[].attributes.headline
Building Attachment & Bonds Service (BABs)

# data[].attributes.subject
Building Attachment & Bonds Service (BABs)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Building Attachment and Bonds Service (BABS) :: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Building Attachment and Bonds Service - Sefton

# data[].attributes.headline
Supporting a smooth transition into reception

# data[].attributes.subject
Supporting a smooth transition into reception

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Supporting a smooth transition into reception

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Starting school is a significant milestone for children and families. A positive transition into reception helps children feel safe, confident and ready to learn.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Supporting the home learning environment

The home learning environment plays a central role in shaping children's early communication, social development and long-term learning.

It is the quality of the home learning environment that has the most significant impact on children's speech, language, and communication skills and their social-emotional development. We all have a part to play.

National guidance:

Download our national home learning environment (HLE) guidance commissioned by the Department for Education.
Embedding the home learning environment: evidence, practice and partnerships.
The document brings together the best available evidence and practical insight to support those working with families to strengthen the home learning environment. It focuses on what works, why it matters and how local partners can create the conditions for families to feel confident, supported and able to embed early learning in everyday life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Embedding The Home Learning Environment | National Literacy Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Download the national home learning environment (HLE) guidance commissioned by the Department for Education. Embedding the home learning environment: evidence, practice and partnerships.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Potty Training Guide - Starting Reception

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Potty training is an important milestone in your child’s development. We understand that all children develop at their own pace, but research shows it’s best for your child’s bowel and bladder health to stop using nappies, including reusable nappies, pull ups and training pants, between 18 and 30 months.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Children’s Toothbrushing Guide - Starting Reception

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Baby teeth aren’t just practice teeth. They help children bite and chew, support speech development, guide adult teeth into place and boost confidence when smiling. When teeth aren’t cared for, it leads to tooth decay which can cause pain, infection and long-term oral health problems.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Help for early years providers : Safer sleep

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This article was written by the Department of Education in collaboration with The Lullaby Trust.

# data[].attributes.headline
New Training Brochure for 2026/27 Available for Browsing!

# data[].attributes.subject
New Training Brochure for 2026/27 Available for Browsing!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
_20262027 Training Brochure  final final

# data[].attributes.headline
Early Years Sefton Training Brochure 2026/27

# data[].attributes.subject
Early Years Sefton Training Brochure 2026/27

# data[].attributes.body
Discover a programme of high-quality face to face and online training opportunities led by the sefton early years team & external experts to upskill teams and ensure best practice in early years and Key Stage One.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
_20262027 Training Brochure  final final