Help required with Bookstart

[mrspear]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone can help; where do I get book start for babies? Last HV I saw was and so was the librarian! Now do I find another HV or librarian to ask or is there a shortcut? My little DS is fascinated by books or maybe it is the paper?!

We were given ours by the HV at the 6 week check. Surprised your HV hasn't heard about it. Could you ask someone else at the practice?

Here is Bookstarts website, they might be able to help?

IME the rules change all the time. We gave out the packs at the library - then the HV gave them out - then we gave them out after one year and on production of red book - then HV gave them out - now we give them out again without seeing red book. This is in the space of three years!!!
Try asking in another library - the biggest one near you if you can. Good luck!

Hi everybody

The Bookstart Programme is for every child and offers a baby pack before your child turns 1 (usually via health) a toddler satchel between 18 months and 3 years (usually via health)and a Treasure Chest in their pre-school year (usually via Early Years setting). All packs contain 2 free books and guidance materials and are a creative and cultural entitlement for every child in England. Bookstart believes it is never too soon to start sharing stories, songs and rhymes with babies and toddlers and aims to encourage a lifelong love of books. For more information take a look at www.bookstart.org.uk If you are having problems accessing your pack, contact your local library service and ask to be put in touch with your local Bookstart Co-ordinator. Every Local Authority has one. Hope this helps and happy book sharing!

Got mine from my local library and my HV gave me the follow on one I was entitled to.

Hi I work in a library and we are told that at the moment your health visitor should be your first port of call for bookstart packs.
This is I believe because health visitors objected to us giving them out.

Please try your health visitor first(she may actually have some).At the library where I work we currently have a 2 month wait for people to get their packs-not ideal.

It really is a shame that there is so much confusion regarding bookstart as it's such a worthwhile scheme. It would make sense I think for health visitors to provide them, because much as it pains me to admit it,not everyrone takes their baby to the library

Like schroeder, our HV's give out the 8 month and 2 year packs, we refused to reliquish our 3 year treasure chests though as it's an ideal age to get them interested in coming to the library to choose their books, so they get a voucher from the HV to bring in.

Mrspear - disappointing that your HV isn't better briefed about the Bookstart scheme, which is truly amazing, and I hope survives the cuts.

Pursue your HV and your library, as the packs are lovely and well worth having.

Whereabouts in the country are you based? It might be worth checking your local council's website to see how well it is promoted locally.