Early Life Group is the realisation of Lord Field’s vision for a Foundation Years project and is part of The Frank Field Education Trust (FFET).
Frank wrote extensively on education and, in 2010, wrote “The Foundation Years: preventing poor children becoming poor adults” report, regarded as a landmark document detailing the importance of education and Early Years care in ending disadvantage. The review highlighted the gap in cognitive, social and emotional skills between the most and least disadvantaged students which starts well before children enter the education system: this gap widens still further during school years.
We believe that our Early Life Group is transforming the lives of families in our community and is truly on the journey to fulfil Lord Field’s vision of Social Justice Through Excellence in Education, or as one of our families have said: “No pressure, no judgement. Just a supportive group there whenever you need them.”
Sessions are delivered by dedicated Early Life Workers, through school based group sessions, over two years, and aim to support families to ensure their children are school ready. These include: Baby Massage; ‘Baby and You’ sessions focused on attachment, bonding, communication and child safety; Focus groups on effective Personal, Social and Emotional development; Speech and Language sessions; Focus groups on effective Communication and Language; ‘Let’s Play’ sessions focused on Physical Development; Child Nutrition; Outdoor Learning; The ‘Incredible Years’ parenting programme of behaviour management and ‘Journey to School’ sessions preparing the child and family for Nursery entry.
Without the guidance of Early Life Group some families would not be aware of what help and support is available to them and would struggle to access it independently.
The Early Life Group is entirely funded by donations.