Co-producing activities with families to meet their needs. Use this short form to voice your ideas! We want to hear ideas for activities, projects or collaborations that you think would help build brighter futures for children and families. When we receive your feedback form we'll present it to the CoCo East members to see what further actions we can take together!

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Grow Well: A Practice Informed Early Intervention Evidence Paper Prepared by Lloyd Park Children’s Charity Drawing on programme learning, research, and evaluation (2002–2025) Introduction This paper brings together learning from practice, evaluation and research to understand what works in early intervention for babies and families, particularly in communities experiencing disadvantage. It draws on longitudinal insight from services including Ready for School and wider early years delivery, alongside current research evidence. The intention is to set out key principles of effective early intervention, articulate a clear theory of change, describe the mechanisms through which change happens, and explore the implications for policy and practice. The paper reflects a practice-informed approach, where knowledge emerges through the interaction of research, data and lived experience. The Case for Early Intervention The First 1,001 Days Research consistently shows that the period from pregnancy to age two is critical for brain development, emotional regulation, attachment, relationships, and early language and cognitive development. Early experiences shape children’s developmental trajectories, with inequalities emerging early and widening over time. Children growing up in disadvantaged contexts are more likely to experience developmental delay, poorer health, reduced school readiness and longer-term inequality. These outcomes, however, are not inevitable. They are influenced by modifiable factors within the family, the community and the wider system. What We Have Learned from Practice Learning from Ready for School and related work highlights consistent themes about what enables positive outcomes. Relationships are central. The quality of the relationship between practitioner and parent is the strongest influence on engagement and impact. Support is most effective when it is non-judgemental, collaborative and grounded in trust. Parents are more likely to engage, reflect and make changes when they feel valued and understood rather than assessed or directed. Supporting parents is key to improving outcomes for children. Practice demonstrates that parental wellbeing and confidence directly shape child development. When parents are supported, improvements are seen across behaviour, emotional development, communication and relationships. This reinforces the importance of focusing on the parent–child relationship, rather than the child alone. Disadvantage is rarely a single issue. Families often face a combination of poverty, mental health challenges, housing instability, social isolation and limited access to services. These factors interact and compound over time, underlining the need for holistic and flexible support that addresses both practical and emotional needs. Early engagement matters. Families who access support earlier are more likely to experience positive outcomes, while delayed engagement often leads to more complex needs. Reaching families during pregnancy and the first year of life creates opportunities to build trust, identify needs early and prevent escalation. Universal services play an essential role. Accessible, non-stigmatising provision helps reach families who might not otherwise seek support, builds trust, and enables emerging needs to be identified. This creates a progressive model in which all families can access help, with additional support introduced where needed. A consistent barrier is social isolation. Isolation both contributes to poorer outcomes and makes it harder for families to access support. Reducing isolation through group provision, peer networks and community connection leads to improvements in confidence, wellbeing and parenting capacity. Theory of Change Drawing on this learning, effective early intervention can be understood as a connected process. When families are engaged early in ways that feel supportive rather than stigmatising, practitioners build trusting relationships, and parents feel listened to, respected and empowered, meaningful change becomes possible. When practical and emotional needs are addressed together and families are connected to their communities, parents’ wellbeing and confidence improve. This, in turn, strengthens parent–infant relationships, reduces isolation and enables more responsive caregiving. Over time, these changes contribute to improved developmental outcomes, greater school readiness, reduced need for statutory intervention and stronger long-term life chances. Mechanisms of Change Early intervention works through a set of interconnected mechanisms. Increased parental confidence is central, enabling parents to respond more effectively to their child, establish routines and manage behaviour. Confidence acts as a key driver of change. Improved parent–child interaction, particularly in communication, responsiveness and emotional attunement, directly supports attachment, language development and emotional regulation. Strengthening social networks reduces isolation, builds informal support and increases resilience. Improving access to support also plays a critical role. When families are better able to navigate services, they access help earlier, receive more coordinated support and are less likely to reach crisis point. Reducing stress and adversity, including challenges related to poverty or housing, allows parents to focus more fully on their child and engage more positively in caregiving. Implications for Practice This learning points to several core principles for effective services. Relationship-based practice is fundamental, requiring time for trust-building, skilled and reflective practitioners, and consistently non-judgemental approaches. Support must be holistic and grounded in a whole-family perspective, addressing emotional wellbeing, practical needs and wider context. Engagement should begin early and be proactive, with systems designed to reach families from pregnancy, reduce barriers to access and prioritise prevention. Integrated working is essential, with strong partnerships across health, early years and community services, shared understanding of families’ needs and coordinated delivery. Community-based approaches are also critical. Services should be accessible and local, foster connection, and work alongside families as partners rather than providers acting on them. Contribution to the Evidence Base This paper adds to growing evidence that early intervention is most effective when it is relationship-based, holistic and focused on supporting parents as a key pathway to improving outcomes for children. It reinforces the importance of universal and targeted services working together as part of a connected system. It also highlights the need for stronger integration across services, further evidence on community-based and preventative approaches, and continued investment in practice-based evidence and action research. Conclusion Early intervention offers a powerful opportunity to improve outcomes for children and reduce inequality. Learning from practice confirms that relationships are the foundation of change, supporting parents is central, and early, holistic, community-based approaches are most effective. To maximise impact, early years systems need to move beyond fragmented provision towards integrated, evidence-informed approaches that work alongside families, building confidence, connection and resilience from the earliest stages of life. Evidence and Learning Sources This paper draws on longitudinal service delivery and evaluation, including Ready for School, alongside organisational data, practice-based learning, and wider research on early intervention, attachment, and the social determinants of health.

SEND Community Services Building trusting relationships with parent/carers allows us to develop and implement support packages for their children's individual learning needs as they progress on to nursery or school. We use toolkits approved by the local council's 'Early Years Team' to assess children and plan their support with parent/carers. Early Years Inclusion Pathway LLoyd Park Children's Charity is now commissioned to deliver a 12 week PEEPS programme called "Learning Together-Preschool' for children 2-4 yrs and 'Learning Together Under 2's'. This is an invite only programme for those referred to LBWF's 'Early Years Inclusion Pathway'. Click on the button to the right to find out more on their website: As part of the programme you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire at the start and end of the programme. This helps us measure the impact of these sessions and hopefully secure further funding so that more families can benefit from the sessions. You can find out more about PEEPs on Peeple.org website here: Find our more Peeple.org.uk Please be aware that these links will connect you to external websites. Our charity cannot be repsonsible for the content of these sites including any downloadable files. Please read our policy on links to external web pages here Transition and funding support Our team can support parent/carers with signposting, funding advice and onward referrals. Funding advice includes SENIF (SEN Inclusion Funding) and EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plan). Onward referrals might be to speech therapy and/or SAC clinic ( Special Advisory Clinic). SENIF EHCP Sensory Play Session Our experienced team deliver this informal open drop-in play session. It's a session primarily for families with SEND children that's also inclusive for all. So, SEND children can play and socialise with their other friends in the same space. The sessions can be tailored to the attendees' needs and are focussed on playing together in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. What's On Bespoke, co-produced activities/projects Our SEND Manager leads on working with families to find out what kinds of services they would like to see provided for their children locally. We're always looking for opportunities to work with local partner organisations to proactively address the gaps in local SEND services. We also have an established working group to identify and secure funding for new projects and activities, so if you have an idea for a service let us know! Our CoCo East co-production collaborative seeks to amplify local voices and to support in family-led activity design and delivery. The group is well represented by families living with SEND so please do come along to one of our online meetings or submit an idea on the dedicated page! More information on CoCo East here Somewhere to Belong Our SEND Manager has also researched and developed this evidence-based programme of support for SEND families. Research found that SEND facilities should be familiy-centred, local and fun. Somewhere to Belong pr ovides support that improves the childs wellbeing and development but also looks at the benefits of inteventions for the whole family. We currently run a session in our adventure play space, Grow wild, on the 3rd Sunday of every month and hope to be expanding our Somewhere to Belong offer in 2025. Check out our activities timetable here: What's On Useful Links Please be aware that these links will connect you to external websites. Our charity cannot be repsonsible for the content of these sites including any downloadable files. Please read our policy on links to external web pages here : Local support Waltham Forest Parent Forum - Support families with SEND chidlren in Waltham Forest Flourish Specialist Education Service (Flourish Learning Trust schools) London Borough of Waltham Forest resources Short Breaks LBWF Local Offer LBWF SEND team Short Breaks Government resources SEND Code of Practice Benefits (Gov.uk) General help General Autism Infromation Autism Education Trust Toilet training Guides https://eric.org.uk/ Autism.org.uk LBWF Guide for schools and early years settings (including childminders)

Our Story Read All About it! Making news since the 80's! 1/8 Our founder, Pauline, talks about starting the charity When I moved to Aveling Park Road in 1977 there was nowhere for people to go with their children, so I opened up my home to friends and other families. Together we set up a range of activities: keep-fit, coffee mornings, play sessions and Halloween and Bonfire parties. We also used the playscheme in a gardener’s shed and double-decker bus in Lloyd Park. In 1981 the bus was under threat of closure, so we formed the Lloyd Park Action Group and started our campaign to improve services for the community. As a result, we were given use of five portacabins in Lloyd Park and in 1984 we formed The Lloyd Park Parent and Toddler Group; with play sessions every weekday afternoon. Since this time we have continued to campaign and develop community-led services to support local families, and there have been so many successes. From raising the funds to employ our first staff members, securing grants of £1.3 million in 2003 for the building in Lloyd Park and in 2016 winning the contract for Children and Family Centres to enable us to support families across Waltham Forest. My fondest memory of the community coming together to support the charity was in 1992 after our building was completely destroyed by a fire. When I first saw the devastation I thought it was the end of the charity, but our community worked together to get services back up and running within a week. It was quite incredible how everyone rallied together to help us. There have been some amazing p eople involved over the years who have helped make this charity so special. The staff are so critical to its success, but because I'm the figurehead I have been nominated for a few awards. It was an absolute privilege to be awarded an MBE by King Charles in 2011 (then Prince Charles) and I accepted it on behalf of everyone involved in Lloyd Park over the past 35 years. Pauline Thomas MBE Founder of The Lloyd Park Children's Charity 1977 Local families meet in Pauline Thomas’ front room on Aveling Park Road. 1981 The group starts using an old gardeners’ shed in Walthamstow’s Lloyd Park and become known as The Lloyd Park Action Group. 1984 The Charity moves into five portacabins and a team of volunteers begin to offer parent and toddler sessions. 1987 Our first paid member of staff is hired and we introduce a playgroup. 1990 We become The Lloyd Park Under 5’s Centre and offer extended daycare for working families. 1992 The centre is destroyed by fire but the local community comes to our rescue to help us reopen. 2003 We raised £1.3 million to build The Pauline Thomas Centre in Lloyd Park. 2007 The Higham Hill Centre opens. 2009 Funded by 'Parents as Partners in Early Learning' and then the National Lottery, we worked in partnership with families to develop and introduce our family support community project, 'You and Your Child'. 2011 Expanding our interest in nature and risk-taking play comes Grow Wild. 2013 Local parents come together to fight poverty. They set up our Baby Bank to provide emergency support to families in crisis. 2016 We are awarded the contract to provide Children and Family Centre services for all families in Waltham Forest on behalf of The London Borough of Waltham Forest. 2018 Families work together to overcome barriers and fight for equality by introducing our Breaking Barriers project. Timeline Key points in our history

Our Mission and Values Mission Founded to build brighter futures for local children and their families. We believe children learn through play. We strive to understand every child, plan for their individual needs and work in partnership with parents to ensure that each child can reach their full potential. Values Each value is a challenge that we seek to live and work to every day. They also inform how we communicate within communities and with each other. Keeping Children Safe Child Centred Equity and Fairness Our values guide and determine our actions Sustaining our planet, sustaining our community Making a difference Partnership Building strength and resilience

Annual Data Summary: Understanding our Community Overview This report brings together our annual data for 2025–2026, highlighting how families and children engage with our services across the community, alongside key trends in early years care and education. Overall, the data shows strong reach across the borough, with continued high registration rates and growing impact through targeted services such as Grow Wild, Baby Bank, and Early Years support. Reach and Engagement Registration across the borough remains a key strength, with 103% of children registered against the community population, exceeding local authority targets. While overall engagement reduced compared to the previous year, 13,488 children were still actively engaged in Family Hubs, delivered by our multi agency team. This represents 71% of registered children and 73% of the wider community. 9568 of these individuals used services delivered by our charity. This decrease reflects changes in delivery, including service redesign and contract changes impacting how new birth families are contacted and supported during 2025, rather than reduced need. Across neighbourhoods, patterns varied: Central saw the strongest growth in registrations South West experienced the largest decrease Engagement reduced across most areas, with some local variation Supporting Families and Target Groups The data shows positive progress in reaching families who are less likely to access support and services: Increased engagement with children with SEND and additional needs Improved reach to male lone carers and teenage parents Continued support for families experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage At the same time, there are areas for development, including: Lower engagement with some carers with disabilities Ongoing need to strengthen consistent engagement across all groups Early Years Care and Education Across our Early Years settings: The number of 0–4 year olds attending has increased, alongside a small rise in older children accessing provision There has been an increase in children identified with SEND Ethnic diversity remains strong, although the proportion of children from ethnic minority groups has slightly decreased Data also highlights changes linked to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation update, which has altered how deprivation is measured across areas. Key Services Making an Impact Grow Wild Grow Wild continues to be one of the highest-impact programmes: 2,811 individuals and 1,279 families reached Significant increase in participation compared to the previous year Strong engagement through play-based, outdoor learning opportunities Baby Bank Support for families facing financial hardship has grown significantly: 628 individuals supported, up from 501 403 families received essential items Over 18,800 items distributed, including nappies, clothing, and toys Demand remains high, with strong links to food banks and wider support services. Early Years Social Prescribing 69 referrals received, with 495 support contacts delivered Increased engagement with families living in more deprived areas Strong partnership working to connect families to the support they need CoCo East and Community Programmes 534 individuals engaged through CoCo East activities Family play sessions, wellbeing support, and Grow Wild activities were key drivers of engagement Continued focus on building connection, confidence, and community Ready for School Lower overall reach, but significantly increased depth of engagement Average contact per child increased substantially, showing more intensive, targeted support Communities We Serve Across all services: The largest group engaged remains White British, followed by Other White, Pakistani, and mixed backgrounds Services continue to reach a diverse and changing community, with varying levels of engagement across different groups. Key Insight A clear message from this year’s data is that: Demand for support remains high, particularly for families experiencing financial pressure, SEND needs, and early years vulnerability. At the same time, there is strong evidence that: Targeted, relational services increase both reach and impact Programmes such as Grow Wild, Baby Bank, and integrated family support play a vital role in meeting community need Conclusion Despite changes in delivery and external factors, our services continue to reach a significant proportion of the local community and provide meaningful support to children and families. The focus moving forward will be to: Strengthen engagement across all communities Improve consistency of data and SEND identification Continue building joined-up, accessible services that respond to local need

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Multi Agency Action Planning Working Together for Families November 2025 We regularly bring together partners from across the voluntary sector, health, early help, and local leadership to review data and agree actions that improve outcomes for children and families. Using a collaborative, data-informed approach, partners identify priorities and develop shared, practical actions, supported by tools such as our Blossoming Trees model. Working together, we identified key priorities across several areas: SEND families: improving early access to support, raising awareness of development, and strengthening joined-up pathways Child development: targeted outreach to children not reaching expected milestones and improving access to health and early support services Gender differences: adapting provision to better engage boys and support communication through play Demographics and access: improving data sharing, strengthening co-production, and making services more accessible to diverse communities Health: improving oral health through better access to services, education, and early support Financial resilience and poverty: strengthening links with community support, including food banks, budgeting support, adult education, and volunteering opportunities to reduce the impact of poverty on families. We are grateful to all partners who contribute to this work. Together, we are able to turn insight into coordinated action and strengthen support for our community.

The Lloyd Park Centre Inspiring Surroundings Nestled in a leafy corner of Lloyd park, our centre is a vibrant, purpose built, childcare and activity centre. We enjoy free-flow play both indoor and outdoor, with open-plan rooms and magical outside adventure spaces, designed to engage and inspire young minds. Nature and risk-taking play The Lloyd Park Centre is a fantastic place to learn about our natural environment, take managed risks and have fun too. This connection with nature can foster a sense of respect and care for the environment . The range of sensory experiences help children gain greater physical control of their bodies, and builds resilience, confidence and independence. Our Community The Lloyd Park Centre was developed by local families over 40 years ago and we're proud to be rooted in our community. The centre offers a range of additional services for children and families including a BSL interpretor for deaf children, a community living room, community events and parent SEND support sessions. Community Services Childcare Services Monday - Friday Childcare: 6 months - 4 years, 8am-5.50pm (full and part-time available) Sessional Provision: 3 - 4 years and eligible 2 year olds, 9am-12pm - Term-time only Teatime Club: P rimary age childre n, 8am-5.50pm, pick-up from Wi nns Primary School - Term-time only Holiday Club: P rimary age children, 8am-5.50pm, during school holidays Apply Now Meet the Team Find us Lloyd Park Centre Winns Ave Entrance, Lloyd Park, Walthamstow, E17 5JW 020 8531 9522 lpc@tlpcc.org.uk Open 8am – 5.50pm Monday-Friday Ofsted Ofsted rating - Good We have been rated Good by Ofsted on our last inspection (16th September 2022 ). Read the report here .

Musical Climbers & Creators A year of exploring music with some wonderful SEND children In 2023/24 we were delighted to bring this wonderful project to life in our Grow Wild adventure play space with the support of Youth Music. This fun and uplifiting session was co-produced by the Lloyd Park Children's Charity's SEND and outdoors play practitioners, parent/carers, children and the amazing music-making charity, Soundcastle. The project delivered unique music-based outdoor learning and sensory experiences for children living with SEND who are often excluded from music-making and outdoors adventure play. Sounds from the Forest Stomp in the Forest 00:00 / 09:06 These beautiful tracks were composed by Soundcastle using vocals, sounds, beats and music made by the children, recorded as they explored the space and made music together. Meditation in the Green Space 00:00 / 09:22 Magical Memories Outdoors music-making in our inspiring 'Grow Wild' adventure playspace Real musical instruments to play led by musicians Freedom for children to play and join in at their own pace Music-making combined with creative play Inclusive music-making for SEND children and their siblings Breakthroughs for SEND children in socialising and personal confidence Building more confidence to jump and tumble with drum beats Children discovered a passion for music-making Parents saw leaps in their children's development Feedback from parents and carers I cannot enthuse about this playgroup/adventure playground and staff more. It is SUCH a supportive environment for not only my son but my daughter too aswell as myself. Staff have gone above and beyond for both my children as they often run in opposite directions and I physically can't keep an eye on both of them! The staff are unfaltering in their care for both the children, this is so important to me as often siblings can sometimes not be so welcomed in my experience which is very difficult for me. The musical element to the session is genuinely magical. At first the musicians would play musical instruments as my children played and slowly but surely my children have actively taken part in playing the musical instruments themselves which they both adore. I feel like my children get so much out of this sen session, they both have gained so much confidence in the setting since coming and both get so excited when they realise we are going to Grow Wild I myself, as their parent, really enjoy coming too! I can never usually relax in other settings as my son can be unpredictable with his behaviour at times, but here I can just breathe and let my children have fun with staff who are always enthusiastic to see them. Thank you so much! We have truly enjoyed our sessions on a Tuesday. My son loves to be outside and to be able to enjoy all the instruments in this free way has been so enriching for him. The musicians are wonderful with the little ones completely working at their pace and direction! Tirelessly playing “train” and offering different instruments and sounds occasionally so he gets a varied experience. All done in a respectful way so he hasn’t felt overwhelmed or too directed. If I had to think of something I’m tempted to say it would be nice to have some more performance group playing from the musicians with flute etc but perhaps that’s more my wanting as the simpler instruments have been generously shared and given access to and the children lead the way!! Thank you all and hope you can keep going …. We will keep coming!! Since we started attending in May my son has made huge progress in his speech, language and communication and these sessions have been a huge part of that. He finds communication challenging and this usually prevents him from interacting with other people. He became very comfortable very quickly at Grow Wild and very quickly started to interact with the musicians and it has been an absolute joy to see. He then repeatedly talks about Grow Wild at home throughout the week so not only is the session beneficial when he's there, but he loves it so much that he wants to talk about it all week, so it's been fantastic for his development at home as well. My daughter has also just started to come out of her shell. She usually only speaks to me but this week she spoke to three different adults at the session too and was much more confident and independent. I also love how safe these sessions are. Being able to run around outside in a safe space with other children and parents who understand his differences is priceless. These sessions are by far the best SEND sessions I have been to in Waltham Forest as they tick so many boxes. A safe outdoor space, access to a wide range of activities like climbing, water play, painting etc. all alongside the musical elements and an energetic, kind and enthusiastic team of adults running the sessions. ....So many of my son's sensory needs are met in one session which helps him to feel calm and regulated throughout the rest of the day. There is something available and beneficial for every child and it's fabulous to see every child enjoying themselves week after week. So thank you so much for everything. I hope that you can secure funding for September as it'll be a huge loss to the SEND community if these sessions were to stop. Both my children have both asked me if they can go to Grow Wild three times today already and this will happen every day until next week 😅 We have a home education journal and at the end of every day, we write down what we've done and my son often likes looking back at the photos of him at Grow Wild and asks for his own musical instruments. Just wanted to say how fantastic the musical element to the play has been and how much both my 19month old and I have enjoyed coming to those special sessions. It has given my son great exposure to music and to different and unique instruments we would not normally come across in our own play. The musicians are all so very talented, professional yet friendly and have a natural ability to connect with the young ones. I feel very fortunate to have attended the sessions we have with you, which have really enhanced my son's learning through song, tune and creativity. This group has been a lifeline to us from the start until now. We attend whatever the weather and my ASD child has thrived and grown from being in such an accepting and accomodating environment. He has gone from a child who was extremely uncomfortable around people, particularly adults, to somebody who seeks out interactions from the Grow Wild and Soundcastle teams. He's changed from being crying and anxious on arrival to shouting "go to see Zoe!" the minute he sees the tree. He has developed a tolerance for other children, for group singing and for music. He has developed so many social skills and even shown a keen interest in making music himself. He gets all of his sensory seeking needs met, has the freedom to explore without any pressure and we are truly fortunate to be able to attend this group. My child has developed and grown into somebody who can be in public without severe discomfort and who actually enjoys the company of other people, and I believe Grow wild has played a massive part in that.....

Donating equipment and supplies What's needed? 1. Baby Bank essentials Our Baby Bank is always in need of essential emergency suppiles to support families in crisis struggling with the cost-of-living. Find out more on our dedicated Baby Bank page: Baby Bank 2. Technology Software, laptops and tablets enhance the efficiency of our adminsistration and free up more of our time to suppport children and familes. Phones, tablets and SIM cards help us to bridge the ever widening digital divide for some the most vulnerable families in our community. Being connected improves every aspect of their lives allowing them to stay in touch with family and friends as well as accessing local support services. If you or your organisation would like donate techology that you think would support our mission of building brighter futures for chidlren we'd love to hear from you! Email us 3. Educational toys and learning resources Across our wide range of support services for children and families we embed opportunities to learn through play and often start with play-based actiivities as a first step in engaging and building trust. We're always seeking to renew our stock of toys and resources with sutainable, high quality items that have a lower environmental impact and that will inspire young minds for longer. Email us

Action Planning The Lloyd Park Children’s Charity Action Planning Working Together to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families 1st July 2026 The Early Years Action Planning Group is a well-established multi-agency partnership committed to improving outcomes for babies, young children and their families across the Waltham Forest. The group brings together professionals and representatives from health services, public health, children's centres, early years providers, outreach services, Early Help, the voluntary and community sector, service leaders, parents and local politicians. By bringing together different perspectives and expertise, the group is able to develop a shared understanding of the needs of local children and families and work collectively to address them. A central part of the group's role is to review local evidence and data. This includes information relating to child development, health outcomes, early education, service access and demographic trends. The group uses this evidence to identify priorities, understand challenges facing families and develop coordinated, evidence-informed responses that can improve outcomes during the crucial early years of a child's life. Our Latest Action Planning Session At our most recent action planning session, partners reviewed local data and explored areas where collaborative action could have the greatest impact. Four key priorities were identified: supporting early language and literacy development, improving engagement with families of younger children, increasing take-up of funded early education and improving childhood immunisation uptake. Supporting Early Language and Literacy The group identified family reading and book-sharing as an important area of focus. Evidence and practitioner experience highlighted several barriers, including family pressures, lack of awareness of the benefits of reading, difficulties accessing books, parental confidence with literacy and the increasing impact of screen time on family routines. Partners agreed to strengthen reading promotion activities by providing families with practical information and support, increasing awareness of local resources such as libraries and book-sharing schemes, and developing engaging reading opportunities within communities. Particular attention will be given to reaching groups who may currently be less likely to engage with literacy activities, including fathers and other underrepresented family members. The group also highlighted the importance of inclusive approaches, including the use of visual resources, translated materials and British Sign Language to support communication and access. These actions aim to encourage more families to enjoy books together, support children's communication and language development and contribute to improved school readiness. Improving Engagement with Families of Young Children The group also examined demographic information relating to children aged 0–2 years. Members identified opportunities to strengthen the use of local data to better understand which families are accessing services and where further engagement may be needed. A particular focus was placed on ensuring services can effectively identify and reach families who may benefit from additional support. Partners agreed to improve the collection and analysis of demographic information, strengthen links between services and outreach teams and make better use of information from Early Years and Public Health partners. There was also a commitment to focus engagement activity on communities experiencing the highest levels of disadvantage and to use local intelligence to support targeted outreach. By improving our understanding of local need, the partnership will be better placed to ensure support reaches the children and families who need it most. Increasing Access to Funded Early Education Access to funded early education for eligible two-year-olds was identified as another important priority. Discussion highlighted several possible barriers, including low awareness of available funding, uncertainty about whether settings can meet children's needs and language or communication barriers that can make information difficult to access. Partners also recognised the influence of wider factors such as housing circumstances, family wellbeing, ethnicity, special educational needs and disabilities, and English as an Additional Language. To better understand these challenges, the group agreed to gather additional information from Early Years services and Speech and Language Therapy colleagues. Partners will review available evidence, analyse patterns of participation and establish a focused action group to develop recommendations that can increase the number of eligible children benefiting from funded places. Increasing participation in high-quality early education can have a significant positive impact on children's learning, development and readiness for school, making this an important area for ongoing partnership work. Improving Childhood Immunisation Uptake The final priority considered by the group was childhood immunisation uptake. Partners identified a number of factors that may contribute to lower uptake, including parental anxiety, misinformation, language barriers and limited opportunities for families to discuss concerns with trusted professionals. Differences in immunisation systems across countries were also recognised as a potential factor for some families. The group agreed that a coordinated, partnership-based approach is needed. Planned actions include improving public awareness of the benefits of immunisation, making information available in a wider range of languages, strengthening professional training and creating more opportunities for families to access trusted advice through community settings, outreach activity and local events. Partners also committed to working closely with Public Health colleagues to better understand local trends and target support where it is most needed. The overall aim is to ensure that families have access to clear, consistent and evidence-based information so they can make informed decisions and children can benefit from the protection that immunisation provides. Looking Ahead The Early Years Evidence and Learning Group will continue to meet termly to review progress, analyse emerging evidence and identify opportunities for further collaborative action. By combining data, professional expertise and the experiences of families and communities, the partnership aims to ensure that services are responsive, inclusive and effective. Through strong multi-agency working and a shared commitment to evidence-informed practice, we will continue striving to give every child the best possible start in life.

Fundraising Why we need your help! Our goal is raise funds that enable us to work with our community to co-design grassroots, place-based support for children marginliased and disadvantaged by the system. To make this a reality we live by these three words; Fundraise, Fundraise and Fundraise! Our Current Campaigns Support Baby Bank! Baby Bank is a lifeline service that supports more and more families in urgent need of help. Escalating running costs constantly threaten the sustainability of this service, so we rely on donations from the community and grants. Donate What We Do Help us save Grow Wild! For over 12 years, our charity has been provding a safe and inclusive, green outdoors space for all local families. Thousands of local children rely on Grow Wild to get more active, experience nature and fire their imaginations! Check out our vital work here: Learn More As a charity the cost-of-living crisis has hit us particularly hard and we're now faced with the very real possibility of closing Grow Wild! Staffing, maintenance and resource costs have all shot up in recent years meaning that we must find additional funding to stay sustainable. We'd be heartbroken for this unique non-profit play space to be lost, so we need your help to raise ££££s to fight against closure! Please donate if you can! Even the smallest amount will help! Donate Fundraising Approach We've created our charity's first Fundraising Strategy which sets our fundraising goals for the coming years and guides us toward increase fundraising success. We will continue to build on our successful applications wit grant making foundations and trusts along with developing our digital fundrasing capability and exploring opportunities with corporate partners. Fundraising Events Our events are a great opportunity for families to get involved, see how you can support local community members, and most importatnly, have loads of fun! Regular Events: - Summer, Easter and Winter Fairs - Halloween parties - Bake sales and coffee mornings Donate

Childcare Our Pedagogy Settings Teatime and Holiday Club Apply for a place Fees and Funding More Our inclusive early years settings support children to follow their interests and celebrate achievements Settings Our Higham Hill and Lloyd Park centres provide full-time and part-time childcare - from 6 months to 5 years, Please note that the Under 2s waiting list at Lloyd Park is currently closed. Applications are still welcome for 2–5 year places and sessional places. We also run teatime and holiday clubs for primary school aged children. Lloyd Park Higham Hill Apply for a place Our parents as partners Parents are childrens' most important educators, so we work closely with them to share childrens' experiences at home and in our settings. We encourage parent/carers to be involved with their child's time with us wherever possible. Our Pedagogy Our approach to teaching and learning (pedagogy) starts with our mission to build brighter futures for every child. Our pedagogy is inspired by research about how children learn and develop. We use 'Learning Stories' to celebrate and share children's experiences. Learn more SEND and our childcare Our welcoming and inclusive settings support children as unique individuals to follow their interests and celebrate achievements Learn more Our Food Our dedicated catering team prepares our meals on-site using fresh ingredients incorporating special dietary requirements and individual needs. Our menu is based on the Eat Well guidelines, with an emphasis on serving a wide range of plant-based foods. Sample Menu Fees and Funding We are a not-for-profit organsiation so all of our income is used to sustain our work. Our fees are reviewed by our trustees annually to ensure we are value for money and sustainable. The government provides support for childcare costs. The Childcare Choices website can help you determine the most beneficial options for your family. Learn more Please be aware that some of these links connect you to external websites. Our charity cannot be responsible for the content of these sites including any downloadable files. Please read our policy on links to external web pages here

Somewhere to Belong Somewhere to Belong: Early Intervention (0–3) Research Summary Zoë Wells – Specialist Early Years Researcher (2019) Whitefield Academy Trust / Lloyd Park Children’s Charity Overview This research, led by Zoë Wells, explores how early intervention services can better support babies and young children (0–3) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), alongside their families. Drawing on parent experiences, professional insight, and local service analysis, the study identifies what effective early intervention looks like and how services can be improved to better meet family needs. Key Learning A consistent theme throughout the research is the importance of relationships. Families value support that is compassionate, non-judgemental, and built on trust. Professionals who take time to listen and respond to the whole family, not just the child, are seen as making the greatest difference. The research also highlights the need for joined-up support. Many families described systems as fragmented and difficult to navigate. Services work best when professionals communicate effectively and families do not need to repeat their story multiple times. Central to the findings is the idea of providing families with“somewhere to belong.” Parents spoke about the importance of safe, welcoming spaces where they can access specialist support, connect with others, and begin to build confidence. These environments often act as a starting point, helping families feel ready to engage more widely.Early intervention was found to be most effective when it is timely, flexible, and tailored. Approaches that combine home-based support with centre-based provision, and respond to each family’s individual circumstances, are particularly valuable.Importantly, the research emphasises that early intervention must support the whole family. Strengthening parental confidence, wellbeing, and resilience is key to improving outcomes for children. Gaps in Provision Despite examples of effective practice, the research identifies ongoing challenges. Families often experience limited coordination between services, unclear pathways, and reduced access to early, home-based support. There are also fewer opportunities for peer support and specialist provision, particularly for children under two. Proposed Approach In response, the research proposes a 0–3 SEND Hub model based on relationship-led, family-centred practice. This includes multi-agency working, a keyworker approach, and access to play-based, strengths-focused support within a coordinated programme. Why This Matters The first three years of life are critical for development and long-term outcomes. Effective early intervention can improve children’s wellbeing, strengthen families, and reduce the need for later, more intensive support. Conclusion This research, led by Zoë Wells, highlights the importance of early, joined-up, and relationship-based support for children with SEND and their families.At its heart is a simple but powerful message: Families need somewhere to belong—a place where they feel supported, understood, and able to move forward with confidence. References Wells, Z. (2017) Early Years (0–3) SEND Research Project, Whitefield Academy Trust / Lloyd Park Children’s Charity Department for Education (2015) SEND Code of Practice (0–25) Blackburn, C. (2015) Relationship-based early intervention services [

Find The Grow Well Centre Centrally located between Queens Road overground station and the Bakers Arms junction on Hoe Street. Address: 7 Saxon Close Walthamstow London E17 8LF e-mail: babybank@tlpcc.org.uk Go Back Follow us on our socials for updates on scheduled activities and sessions

Find out how our team can help you navigate SEND services available to you and your child. SEND Childcare 1:1 Individualised SEND Support We recognise all children are different and we aim to support all children individually to achieve the best possible outcomes for them as individuals through p roviding inclusive practice and removing barriers to learning. Childcare Pathways (2yrs+) All children entering our nursery (at 2 or 3 years) are assessed to establish their learning and developmental needs. This way we can work with parents at the earliest possible stage to meet thier child's needs. Parents for whose children need additional support, or are identified with SEND, create a support plan with us using SMART steps. This outlines agreed outcomes for them to achieve with their child. We use the 'Graduated Approach' of Assess-Plan-Do-Review to ensure children receive the right support as their needs change and develop. The Graduated Approach Assess Clear analysis of a child's needs, drawing on parents knowledge and practioner assessments. Plan Parents work with us to create a support plan for their child. All staff working with their child is made aware of their needs, any defined outcomes, the support received and any learning strategies. Do The support plan is put in place and started. Review Feedback on the implementation of the plan and the child’s outcomes is carried out with parents. Deaf support Our teams are always striving to make our nurseries more inclusive and accessible for local children. Through co-producing a weekly drop-in with parents, carers, 'Flourish Special Education Service' and our team, we began to get feedback that there was a concerning lack of early education and care services for local deaf children. We decided to address this and in September 2023, we employed a BSL practitioner and have introduced a BSL friendly childcare provision at The Lloyd Park Centre. Our team and children have worked hard to use BSL and learn about the deaf community and culture. Children that had not experienced nursery life before and have begun to really excel in personal, social and emotional, and physical development as well as have demonstring higher levels of confidence and resilience. Funding We work in partnership with parents and LBWF to request the appropriate funding, enabling us to provide support that works for your child. Examples of funding: SENIF - SEN Inclusion Fund EHCP - Education, Health & Care Plan DAF - Disability Access Fund Find information on Waltham Forest council's ' The Hub' website The Hub DLA - Disability Living Allowance Find information on the governement's website 'Gov.uk' GOV.UK Please be aware that these links will connect you to external websites. Our charity cannot be repsonsible for the content of these sites including any downloadable files. Please read our policy on links to external web pages here Signposting and onward referrals Where a child needs further support, we work in partnership with parents to navigate their options. This may be as simple as signposting them to either our own internal offers, or to external SEND services that can offer more information. We can also refer to appropriate professional services where we agree with parents that their child needs more specialist support. Transition to school support We work with local schools wherever possible to support as smooth and happy a transition to school for your child. Summer term schools allocation support School observations such as interests, learning needs and styles, friendhsips and behaviours School visits Working with school SENCOs and SENDIASS where appropriate Sharing of child information Useful Links Please be aware that these links will connect you to external websites. Our charity cannot be repsonsible for the content of these sites including any downloadable files. Please read our policy on links to external web pages here : Local support Waltham Forest Parent Forum - Support families with SEND chidlren in Waltham Forest Flourish Specialist Education Service (Flourish Learning Trust schools) London Borough of Waltham Forest resources Short Breaks LBWF Local Offer LBWF SEND team Short Breaks Government resources SEND Code of Practice Benefits (Gov.uk) General help General Autism Infromation Autism Education Trust Toilet training Guides https://eric.org.uk/ Autism.org.uk LBWF Guide for schools and early years settings (including childminders)

Donate to Lloyd Park Children's Charity. Help fund our vital work to support children and families under extreme pressure brought on by poverty. Pay in your fundraisng Held a bake-sale, run a marathon, climbed a mountain or thrown a party? It's super-easy to support us with your fundraising proceeds! Use the 'Pay in fundraising' button below donate your fundraising and tell us a little more about your how you raised your funds. We always love to learn more about the fun and challenging ways you've raised money for us and your reasons for kindly choosing our charity to benefit from your hard work! Pay in Fundrasing Lloyd Park Children's Charity registered no: 1102134 Gift Aid Gift Aid allows us to claim an additional 25% of the value of your donation from the HMRC. It won't cost you a penny but means your donation can go even further! Find out more here Your donations support children needing help We fight to overcome poverty using your donations to create the support services that families tell us they want, delivered when they need them most! Baby Bank is just one great example of our lifeline services that your donations make sustainable. Some of Baby Bank's day-to-day costs include: Cost-of-Living Support We work with families to link them to services that can help them with the costs of clothing, food and energy. Safer Sleeping Environments Cots Cot matresses Bedding Running Costs Rent Cleaning and m aintenance Salaries Resources and e quipment Refreshments for families Home from Hospital Bundles All the essentials needed for parents to bring newborn babies home from hopsital safely Please note: Unless otherwise stated your donations contribute to our unrestricted funds which we use to make all of our charitable activities more sustainable. Where we specify that your donations will support a particular campaign or cause they would become restricted funding that can only be used for that purpose.