Every child in Slough deserves the best possible start in life.
From pregnancy through the early years, the right support at the right time helps children develop, learn and stay healthy. It also supports families to feel confident and connected.
Our Best Start in Life approach brings together services including:
- Health services
- Early education and childcare
- Family support
- Community and voluntary organisations
By working together, we aim to create a joined-up system that is easy for families to understand and access.
We want to:
- help families get support as early as possible
- improve access to high-quality childcare and early education
- build trusted relationships between families and professionals
This helps all children, especially those facing disadvantages can grow, learn and thrive.
Our priorities
We focus on four key areas to improve outcomes for babies and young children in Slough:
Healthy development and school readiness
We will:
- improve early learning outcomes, especially communication and language
- reduce the gap between disadvantaged children and others
- identify developmental needs early and provide timely support
Physical health and wellbeing
We will:
- improve maternal health and birth outcomes
- support more families to start and continue breastfeeding
- promote healthy lifestyles and reduce childhood obesity
- increase uptake of immunisations and health reviews
Emotional wellbeing and attachment
We will:
- support strong, secure relationships between children and caregivers
- improve parental confidence and mental health
- reduce the impact of adverse childhood experiences
- encourage involvement from fathers and non-birthing parents
Safety, stability and reduced adversity
We will:
- support families affected by poverty, overcrowding or housing instability
- provide help earlier through stronger early support services
- improve support pathways to prevent neglect, domestic abuse and safeguarding risks
How we will deliver this
These priorities will be delivered through three connected service areas:
- Best Start Family Hubs
- Health and Wellbeing services
- Early Years and Childcare services
We will also work closely with voluntary, community and faith organisations.
Our local plan
A full version of Slough’s Best Start in Life Local Plan will be published here soon.