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Nottingham Labour

Give Nottingham children a good start in life with books

Making a good start in education depends on lots of things. The welcome and environment that is provided in a school or nursery is vital, but so much more depends on the experiences that a child has had at home before they start school. Children who have been played with, talked with and read with are more likely to succeed that those who haven’t had lots of those experiences. That’s why in Nottingham, trying to ensure that every child lots of story books to share with adults and enjoy themselves is a priority for us and why working with the Dolly Parton Foundation is so important. We believe that giving children those early literacy skills that are gained from being regularly read to, right from birth, is one of the greatest gifts that we can give children. So we are aiming to get books to children on a regular basis.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library, begun in Tennessee  and now operating all over the world, sends quality children’s books through the post to children from birth up until their 5th birthday for the cost of only £2.05 per book, and currently, through a variety of donations from businesses and individuals, as well as Big Lottery funding in 4 wards of the city, 4000 children have a book drop on their front doormat every month.

We aren’t satisfied with that and are keen that more of our city’s 21,000 under 5s get this opportunity. So in 2018 we are redoubling our efforts to enlarge this scheme, which has been proven to make children 28% more ready for school if they are on the scheme for at least 3 years.

I’m kicking off the year with a challenge to read stories to at least 2018 children and raise at least £2018. It would be great if you could support me with a donation, no matter how small. Our children deserve this chance.

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/2018children

Cllr David Mellen
Portfolio Holder for Early Years and Early Education