Children don’t stop learning and developing during the summer holidays, and parents don’t stop needing support. Yet, this can be the time of year when the least support is available, and when costs for childcare and activities can escalate. That’s why every summer, Thrive at Five works with local partners to support free play and learn activities
By being embedded in the communities we serve, we are well-placed to respond to local needs.
In Redcar & Cleveland, beautiful beaches are just a bus ride away. Yet, for many of the families we reach, budgets don’t stretch to cover the bus fare. To remove that barrier and give families an unforgettable experience, Thrive at Five supports the Family Hubs’ Beach Week activities by providing free transport to collect families from familiar locations, and supplying packed lunches for the children. Our team help to get the word out to parents in the community and are there on the day to provide reassurance and practical support.
A family with three young children told us they simply wouldn’t have had the confidence to go to the beach by themselves but knowing that trained Early Years professionals were there to support them made all the difference and they enjoyed an unforgettable day together.
In Stoke-on-Trent, we bring together the Family Hub and local services to put on an annual Summer Play and Read event, which this year welcomed 67 families including 115 children.
Families enjoyed sensory play, storytelling, games and creative activities designed to inspire ideas they could take home and recreate using everyday household items.
More children under five attended than ever before, evidence that Thrive at Five’s work to raise awareness of the support and opportunities available for this age group is having a positive impact.
It was wonderful to hear parents planning what they could try at home.
One mum said about her son “At the moment he won’t leave the cereal tray, so we’ll definitely try that at home and hope the dog doesn’t eat it as well”. The cereal tray may look like messy play with cornflakes, wooden spoons and cupcake holders but it’s assisting children to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, as well as encouraging early maths skills, concentration, persistence and problem solving as children choose utensils and measure and fill containers.
Alongside the play activities, families were able to engage with a wide range of local organisations including Citizens Advice, Financial Services and other local charities. Bringing these services together, within a welcoming and friendly environment, is an important part of how Thrive at Five helps families access holistic support.
In Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland we are supporting local communities with ‘Dive into summer’ themed Stay and Plays, Activities are designed to meet children’s learning and development needs. A messy play tray filled with jelly-like substance is a chance to learn vocabulary like ‘squishy’ and ‘sticky’ and a game of fishing pipe-cleaners out of a rice bowl builds dexterity, fine motor skills and early mathematical abilities.
The sessions provide an opportunity for our Parent Connectors get to know families and begin to build the trusted relationships that enable us to signpost them to other local support and services where needed
While the sun may be setting on the summer season, the impact of this support will continue.
