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Bookstart funding to stop in England from April 2011

132 replies

Campaspe · 21/12/2010 11:30

I've posted this in chat, but guess it really belongs here.

www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/wordpress/?p =777

Hope this link works. It advises that from April 2011, all funding for Bookstart will stop, but this applies in England only. See the Booktrust website for more details.

I am so angry at this short-sighted decision and the fact that is applies to England only. How can I campaign to get this changed? Anything that promotes reading and education for children in this way helps to create a more just and equal society. HOw can we not afford to support literacy in this way????

OP posts:
harpsichordcarrier · 27/12/2010 20:22

to those who say: why don't the parents go to the library instead, that is reliant on the PARENT. If the parent is too busy, at work, dealing with other children, can't be arsed - then what.
Also, many many libraries are in line for closure all over the country in the next year.
by the way, the freebooks are not just for TODDLERS but also for older children too

NellyFartado · 27/12/2010 20:31

"If the parent is too busy, at work, dealing with other children, can't be arsed - then what." Then is a free copy of Dear Zoo really government money well spent?

Checkmate, it's interesting to hear that I wasn't the only parent deemed a danger to children for trying to refuse the Bookstart pack.

MilaMae · 27/12/2010 21:17

We are a very literate family,house heaving with books so did feel Bookstart was slightly wasted on us.

However as a teacher and literacy co-ordinator I was shocked at how little access many children have to books.

Yes I agree many parents won't read the Bookstart books or take their kids to the library but many do who wouldn't have, I know as I've met them at children's centres.

Also from what I've seen on home visits some houses actually have no books in them at all. The 3 or 4 free books in the pack would literally be the only ones a child owns. Handling books and longing to know what the words mean are as important as being read to.

The scheme is wasteful as many don't need them however it's not down to money(many affluent families are surprisingly ignorant on the joy of book owner ship for kids ie would far rather spend money on the latest Wii game than keep a bookshelf well stocked) so not sure what the answer is.

spongecakelover · 27/12/2010 22:22

We live in a deprived area and it's just not true to say it is 'awash with books'. There aren't many charity shops and the ones that are are not exactly brimming with high quality children's books. Now the nice provincial town my mum lives in has a lovely, well stocked Oxfam bookshop and that's a different matter.

We didn't need the bookstart books and (it pains me to say this) the lovely starter linen bags etc felt unnecessary.

However, our library is fabulous. If that money saved from axing bookstart's going anywhere it should be to extend or safeguard local library services for as many as possible. It's role is holistic - it gives something for parents and children. The librarians are experts at getting kids reading and inspired and are just kind, enthusiastic people who care about the community they serve.

Liv77 · 27/12/2010 22:26

Of course saving libraries is important and Bookstart does an important job in encouraging people to use them. It's another step down the slippery slope, cut the charity funding, close the smaller libraries, then close the big libraries too, if you want a book go to the charity shop Sad

I work in a library and in our area the HV gives out the Bookstart pack, but it contains info on our library and an application form.

It does a great job of promoting the library and encouraging people to join up and visit with their children.

NanaRoyle · 27/12/2010 22:31

I think Bookstart was well-intentioned but if cuts really do have to be made, then giving me and my kids books was a waste of taxpayers' money, we had them all already and it was a case of preaching to teh converted.
I liked the linen bag for ds1 but ds2's pirate chest was over-packaging, to say the least.
Is so sad though that some kids have no books at home, I can't bear it Sad - also the very thought that the only books they might read aged 5 are the god-awful school reading scheme ones is truly saddening. We are ploughing through them all again with ds2 and the Biff and Chip ones are positively page turners compared to some of the old crap he gets sent home with. Anyone else getting JoJo and co who go to the park a lot. They make me want to poke me own eyes out with a handwriting pencil.

FrustratedHippy · 27/12/2010 22:45

good post checkmate

sarah293 · 28/12/2010 10:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

vintageteacups · 28/12/2010 12:17

I agree with Lornmowa - the library is free. Think how that £13 million government funding to bookstart could be better spent.

Once a child is at preschool, their Early years education introduces books anyway.

As a parent who has read to their children from babies, I appreciate how important books are to encourage kids to read for life. However, I too found the bookstart books a bit patronising.

Perhaps they could part fund for those who need extra support. All the rest of us who can afford to buy books and take the kids to library will do it anyway.

Simply by BS giving parents books, doesn't mean that they will share them with their kids. All a waste of money really. For children of those parents who don't read books with their children,they will helped once they are in the ed system anyway.

bubbleymummy · 28/12/2010 18:22

We didn't get great books from Bookstart - very simplistic, no real story etc and my boys hardly touched them. I wish we had got Dear Zoo! Do the books you get depend on where you are? I do think the money could be better spent elsewhere tbh. I got my books when I went to the library! Surely the fact that I had brought the boys to the library in the first place meant that I wasn't in the target group. I agree with whoever it was that said that it struggles to reach its target group and I think this does make it a bit of a waste of money.

SparkleRat · 28/12/2010 18:57

This is a government hell bent on keeping the poor undereducated and unable to articulate their cause and looking at some of their policies this is understandable. The cuts aimed at children and parents make my blood boil. Shouldn't we be investing in our children as the future of this country?

altv · 28/12/2010 19:50

personally i don't care if people who want to stop Bookstart feel insulted or not - don't they realise that 13 million is NOTHING compared to the billions that are spent everyday ... but the rewards are great. If it encourages parents to think about books and share books which it does then it can only be a good thing. There are some smug parents on here who need to wake up - because these cuts are only the start. Libraries are already going ... and look at the tax breaks the govt gives to big business because it is scared it will go abroad. The top few are over rewarded and the rest have to pick up the pieces - but don't let kids suffer. If middle class parents don't mind losing bookstart then they are lucky they have that luxury.

PercyPigPie · 28/12/2010 20:56

A good idea for those unable to afford books but are motivated, but a waste of time for many families. Our house is bursting with books as are most in the area we live - I'd rather it was means tested.

IHeartKittensAndWine · 28/12/2010 21:15

But are the rewards great altv? It seems difficult to measure the outcomes of something which has such an untargeted approach. The issue regarding tax breaks for big businesses is entirely seperate. And yes these cuts are only the start, but this is the legacy of six years of costly, untargeted "nice ideas".

IHeartKittensAndWine · 28/12/2010 21:16

Separate.

spongecakelover · 28/12/2010 21:38

In our area the Bookstart pack is distributed by the HV. We're lucky enough to have one who actually opens it up and talks through the suggestions and information about local libraries inside. She also makes it her responsibility to carry up to date information about all the Surestart centres in the area. But believe me we kissed a lot of frogs before we met this princess among HVs (am I mixing my metaphors now??)

Maybe one of the reasons Bookstart seems not to have had as much impact as it could have done is its delivery. I don't think it's enough to just hand the packs out - there has to be some sort of explanation and discussion about what's inside too... But an appropriate one of course, not putting families on some sort of watch list.

siasl · 28/12/2010 21:45

I was not even aware that BookStart even existed. The Health Visitor has never mentioned the scheme or offered it. Shame because always happy to get more books!

ZiderDrinker · 29/12/2010 00:17

Envy at anyone who got Dear Zoo. Envy Envy Envy at the person who got six copies.

MistleToad · 29/12/2010 11:01

I wish they'd put the money into parent/child reading and singing classes. Our local library and surestart centre run these and it's a great way of showing parents HOW to read with their kids.

I live in a very deprived area and a lot of the Mums struggle to read themselves Sad

mrz · 29/12/2010 13:37

There is BookStart babies (For babies aged 0-12 months

Packs are distributed to babies by health visitors, usually at around 7-9 months, or via local libraries.)

Bookstart+ (For toddlers aged 18-30 month.

The main focus of the Bookstart+ pack for toddlers is on building language and listening skills.)

Bookstart Treasure Chest (For children aged 36-48 month.)

(Booktouch and bookshine)

Booktime (reception aged children)

Booked Up (Y7)

The Literacytrust run Reading Connects to encourage reading

Normasnorks · 29/12/2010 19:12

Complete waste of money. Money would be better spent on education at pre-school level.

poltesco · 29/12/2010 20:12

i have really appricated the bookstart packs, as we have very little spare money its lovely for my dd to have books that are hers! Yes we use the library twice a month and the mobile library van once a month. these are very important resources to us but sometimes dd gets very upset when she goes to read a book only to be told that is gone back to the library for another child to read(she's just about to turn 3!. as for charity shops in my area they are just as expensive for books as from new, so no help there! i know i probably don't meet all the criteria for bookstart as i am already a big reader and totally believe that its important to gets kids interested in books at a very early age for their future education!
i feel it would be sad so see it scrapped, i wish i could believe that they will plough the money into librays/schools/children centre's but some how i think that they will all be facing cuts aswell and the money saved will just end up going into the big hole of debt!

CheerfulYank · 29/12/2010 21:28

You guys need a Dolly Parton; she's the one who created our program that's sort of like Bookstart. :o

Even if there are families who don't give a damn, surely, surely there are plenty like mine, who love reading and learning and can't afford new books every month for their DC?

Also I am typing this right now at our teeny tiny library, and God help them the day they try to take it from us.

harpsichordcarrier · 29/12/2010 23:08

Why is it a waste to give books to CHILDREN in families that don't care about books or reading. surely those children are EXACTLY the RIGHT people to get books?

mrz · 30/12/2010 10:20

harpsichordcarrier Wed 29-Dec-10 23:08:31

Why is it a waste to give books to CHILDREN in families that don't care about books or reading. surely those children are EXACTLY the RIGHT people to get books?

You would think so wouldn't you ... and I'm sure that was the idea behind Bookstart but if those books are simply thrown away without ever being read is it the best way to spend £13 million?

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