Case studies

Staff identified a need to develop sessions for some parents who found it difficult to break into established groups.

Stoke wanted to increase children’s early language and communication skills through a variety of interventions such as supporting early years practitioners to deliver more effective music sessions through a programme of training.

Artists are working in libraries and children’s centres to develop their creative practice for babies and their families.

Tameside Story Makers has weekly storytelling sessions targeted at preschool-aged children.

The BookTrust’s Storytime Prize aims to build confidence and enjoyment in sharing books with children and encourage visits to the library, by inviting families to explore and vote for their national Storytime prizewinning book.

The Start Well Wheel is a tool for parents/carers to track all appointments and key milestones in their child’s life.

Bradford Libraries Rhyme Challenge started in 2017 from an idea originating from BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity.

Baby Babble is a programme for parents/carers and their babies. It aims to support early language and communication using stories, rhymes, baby signing and sensory experiences.

From Winter 2021 to Spring 2022, Cheshire East Libraries undertook a review of Storytime session provision across all libraries in the authority. The return to in-person activities post COVID-19 made this an excellent time to look at Storytime sessions.