Support in the Early Years
Wakefield Families Together has lots of information on what is available in Wakefield.
Better Health-Start for Life is a Government site that gives ideas and support for children under 5
Contact provides a section specifically for getting support in the Early Years
The National Autistic Society provides information on the use of Visual supports to aid communication
ICAN can provide ideas on developing speech, language and communication.
Speech & Language UK provides information and resources for parents/carers
Ambitious About Autism gives lots of tips, ideas and support for children with or who may be showing indicators of Autism.
Wakefield Homestart is an under 5's support service that may be able to help you.
50 Things To Do helps parent/carers develop their home learning environment, suggesting a wide range of low-cost and no-cost local activities. The 50 Things approach improves early language and literacy, motor skills and resilience. As a result children thrive cognitively, physically and emotionally, and will be more ready for primary school.
Find out about the adaptations service on the Local Offer
Every child in England and Wales is entitled to a free Bookstart pack before they are 12 months old.
Bookstart also gifts additional needs packs for babies and toddlers, as well as black-and-white booklets for newborns and dual-language books.
Get your pack and more resources on the Bookstart website.
Bookstart also provide packs for children with additional needs.
Read information on the Children's Continence Service.
Read Contact's information on toilet training for disabled children and young people.
Read Autism Speaks guide to toilet training.
Find more about ERIC, a national charity supporting children's continence.
The NHS have information on potty training and bedwetting.
Find adaptive clothing, for toileting, bedtimes and more on the Fledglings website.
Please also see our Common Worries page for information
Visit Wakefield Council's Families Information Service for all childcare options.
Search for early years free entitlement for 2, 3 and 4 year olds
Search for different types of childcare
Search for parent / carer and toddler groups
You can also read a leaflet on Information for Parents, Carers of 2, 3 and 4 year olds. This was created by Wakefield Council.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting programme devoted to inspiring a love of reading in the hearts of children everywhere.
The books are gifted through funding shared by Dolly and local community partners. In the Wakefield district, this scheme is delivered in partnership between Spectrum Community Health CIC and Wakefield Council.
All books in the Imagination Library are high quality and age appropriate. They are carefully selected by a panel of experts in early childhood literacy and reading.
Books are sent free in the post every month, personally addressed to your child, until their 4th birthday.
Registration is open to babies from birth (until their 2nd birthday) living in Knottingley, Pontefract, Castleford Central, Ferry Fryston and Airedale.
Find out more on the Spectrum Community Health CIC website.
You can sign up for the Imagination Library by:
- Calling Spectrum on 01924 311400
- Visiting Airedale, Castleford Central or Pontefract Library
- Registering online on the Spectrum Community Health CIC website
We are looking for parents and carers with children aged 0 – 5yrs to join us for HENRY. This is a free programme running from three of the Wakefield Family hubs.
The free 8 – 10 week group programme will explore how to give your child/children a healthy start in life. Everyone who attends the programme will receive a free parenting pack and resources for use at home including story books, reward charts and soft ball.
You can learn about the HENRY approach and discover healthy recipes on the HENRY website
If you are interested in joining us and want to find out more or book your place onto the HENRY programme, call or pop into your nearest HENRY delivery family hub:
- Cedars Family Hub – Barnsley Road, Hemsworth, WF9 4PU. Contact: 01977 72215.
- Pomfret Family Hub – Rookhill Road, Pontefract, WF8 2DD. Contact: 01977 722644.
- Sunbeam Family Hub – Lupset Cresent, Wakefield, WF2 8RH. Contact: 01924 302333.
Portage is a home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with SEND and their families.
Portage aims to:
- work with families to help them develop a quality of life and experience, for themselves and their young children, in which they can learn together, play together, participate and be included in their community in their own right.
- play a part in minimising the disabling barriers that confront young children and their families.
- support the national and local development of inclusive services for children
You can find out more by visiting
A group for all families/carers with children (under 5) who have an identified additional sensory or communication need or who are currently going through a referral.
The session will give an opportunity for children to play, use their senses and allow them to explore a range of toys and resources.
This group runs on a Wednesday afternoon 1-2:30pm, of which are bookable blocks during Term Time only.
Please ring to book your place or for more information on 01977 723543.
Kendal Drive, Castleford WF10 3SP
WFTKendalFamilyHub@wakefield.gov.uk
Wakefield Families Together are a group of people and services who are working together to make it easier for you to find and access the support you need, at the earliest opportunity.
The Team Around Early Years (TAEY) brings together professionals from Wakefield Families Together who can support with worries and concerns around child's development, speech language and communication, physical health, emotional wellbeing, and behaviour.
Team around Early Years (TAEY)
Families working with the TAEY team have access to support from:
- Childcare providers (nurseries, pre-schools, childminders)
- Early Years Children First Coordinator
- Area Early Years Special Educational Need Coordinator (SENCo)
- Health Visitors
To find out more about the TAEY visit the webpage here.
Transition is when something changes. Transitions in the early years include starting at a childminder, nursery or preschool.
Find out more by visiting our transitions page.
Triple P is a Free parenting programme with support available online as well as courses available at certain Family HUBs across the district.
Is Triple P Online for Baby right for my family?
- Online support for parents-to-be and new parents (of babies up to 12 months old)
- Promote your baby’s social and cognitive development
- Learn a variety of strategies to cope with frequent crying
- Understand baby sleep patterns and healthy sleep habits
- Take better care of your own emotional and mental health
- Improve your relationship with your partner / other family members
- Enjoying life as a new parent!
Find out more on the Triple P website
Find and contact your local Family Hub for more information on which of the following parenting course they provide
Early Years Parenting
For parents/carers of children aged 0-5 years. This is a 5-week programme that looks at play and interaction, child development, routines, boundaries, behaviours and strategies.
Baby Triple P
This is a parenting programme that will help you prepare for parenthood and the first year with your baby. It will help you develop a positive relationship with your baby, and support your baby’s development