Bookstart
Bookstart is a scheme run as a partnership between Sandwell Libraries, Sandwell Healthcare Trust and The Early Years Development Childcare Partnership.
BOOKSTART IN SANDWELL
FREE books for children aged 0-4 years
Bookstart offers three FREE packs of books and guidance material to give children a lifelong love of books.
Sandwell Library and Information Service co-ordinates the scheme for Sandwell.
Pack 1
The baby’s Health Visitor gives out the first Bookstart Pack at your baby clinic when your baby is aged between 6 and 12 months.
Sometimes baby’s health check take place in the library.
Pack 2
The second Bookstart Pack contains books in a handy red bag and is suitable for toddlers aged between 18 and 30 months.
It is given out in Sandwell Libraries, Early Steps and Surestart groups.
Pack 3
The third pack, My Bookstart Treasure Chest, is given out to children at their School Nursery or equivalent pre-school setting. Any eligible child who does not attend a pre-school group can obtain a pack through their local library.
Library membership
All packs include an invitation to join the library - babies are never too young to join the library.
Library events for parents/carers of under 5’s
- Toy Library Stay and Play sessions, which include a Bookstart rhyme time and free toy loans
- Story times
- Health Visitor baby checks in the library
What’s in the Bookstart packs?
Bookstart pack 1 for babies aged 6-12 months
Contains: 2 books, rhyme booklet, Children’s book leaflet, information booklet, ‘Babies love Books’ leaflet, Surestart leaflet, Bookstart book list, invitation to join the library. (Please note that the books included in the pack may change)
Bookstart Pack 2 for toddlers aged 18 – 30 months
Contains: 2 books, drawing pad, crayons, number chart, book list, book labels, Bookstart information booklet. invitation to join the library.
(Please note that the books included may change.)
My Bookstart Treasure Chest for three/four year olds
My Treasure Chest contains: 2 books, a treasure chest book of ideas, book recommendations leaflet, drawing pad, coloured pencils, pencil sharpener, book labels, invitation to join the library.
(Dual language books on request. Please note that the books included may change.)
Bookstart is administered by Booktrust. It is sponsored by 25 children’s publishers and receives central funding from Surestart. For further information about Bookstart visit www.bookstart.org.uk 0r phone 0280 516 2995