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.

Our Evidence and Learning At The Lloyd Park Children’s Charity, we learn by listening to families, reflecting on our practice, and using evidence to improve our work. This page shares research, evaluations, project learning, and our annual impact, alongside real examples from practice showing how we support children and families every day. Together, this highlights what matters most; relationships, trust, and connection, and how these lead to positive outcomes. We are committed to continuous learning and sharing what works to strengthen communities. July 26 Multi-Agency Action Planning: Working Together for Families Bringing partners together to explore data and insight to identify priorities and take coordinated action to improve outcomes for children and families Annual Data Summary: Understanding Our Community Sharing insights from our services to highlight reach, engagement, and the impact of our work with children and families Ready for School: Project Overview, Outcomes and Impact Supporting families and strengthening children’s development across the prime areas and towards a Good Level of Development (GLD) Grow Well: Building Strong Foundations in the Early Years Bringing together research, data and practice-based learning to show how relationship-based support improves outcomes for babies and families Journal Club: Working Together to Strengthen Practice Drawing on shared staff learning and research to understand what works and strengthen our early years and family support approach Early Years Social Prescribing: Building Connections How community connections, parental wellbeing, and early support work together to improve outcomes for children and families Breaking Barriers: Building Confidence and Connection Exploring how a parent-led, inclusive and play-based approach supports families to build confidence, reduce isolation, and strengthen relationships. Somewhere to Belong: Early Support for Families Supporting parents and young children with SEND through connection, confidence, and joined-up early intervention. Musical Climbers and Creators Co-produced with families, children and music-making charity, Soundcastle. Discover the inspiring sounds and creations made by children. Multi-Agency Action Planning: Working Together for Families Bringing partners together to explore data and insight to identify priorities and take coordinated action to improve outcomes for children and families You and Your Child: Insights from Family Support Working alongside families to build confidence, strengthen relationships, and support children’s development and wellbeing.

Ready for School: Outcomes and Impact Overview The Ready for School (RFS) programme is a relationship-based early intervention designed to support children and families as they transition into Reception. The programme is delivered to a cohort of children living in a community ranked in the top 20% most deprived nationally according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), meaning that all participating children experience socioeconomic disadvantage. Led by an experienced early years teacher, the programme combines small group work, home-based and school-based support, and community activities to strengthen communication, social skills, and independence in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage and help for children to develop the skills and confidence needed for a successful start at school. Alongside this, the programme provides wider family support, working with parents on a range of practical and emotional issues that may affect children’s development. This includes helping families to build routines, access support, and create positive home learning environments. By strengthening parental confidence and engagement, the programme supports families to embed learning into everyday life. Context and Data Considerations Outcomes from 2019 to 2021 reflect a period of significant disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, access to early education, childcare, and support services was limited, and opportunities for in-person delivery were reduced. As a result, data from this period is presented for completeness but is not directly comparable to later cohorts. The analysis therefore focuses on outcomes from 2021 onwards, when programme delivery stabilised and families experienced more consistent support. Outcomes and Progress Over Time Good Level of Development (GLD) is the national measure used at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to assess school readiness. A child is considered to have achieved a GLD when they meet the expected level of development in the key areas of learning, including communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, physical development, literacy and mathematics. Achieving a GLD indicates that a child has developed the foundational skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to make a successful transition into primary school. The Good Level of Development (GLD) rate across the programme shows a clear trajectory of improvement. From 2019 to 2021, outcomes were significantly below national expectations, with GLD rates of 40% and 30% respectively. From 2021 onwards, there is a marked and sustained improvement, with outcomes ranging between 75% and 100%. This upward trend demonstrates both programme maturity and increasing effectiveness over time, particularly given the high level of disadvantage within the cohort. Benchmarking and Comparative Performance The programme’s post-pandemic performance compares favourably with local and national benchmarks. GLD Benchmark Comparison (2021–2025) The most recent national data shows that approximately 68% of children in England achieve a Good Level of Development. Against this benchmark, the Ready for School programme achieves an average of 79%, placing it above national performance and broadly in line with or exceeding both London and local authority averages. This comparison is particularly significant given that all participating children are drawn from communities experiencing high levels of deprivation. While national and regional benchmarks include children from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, the Ready for School cohort represents a consistently disadvantaged group. Outcomes at this level therefore indicate strong programme impact and suggest that children are being supported to reach levels of development comparable with, or exceeding, their peers. Current Cohort and Emerging Outcomes The most recent data, based on teacher assessment, indicates that outcomes remain strong. In the current class cohort, 62% of children are predicted to achieve GLD, while children participating in the Ready for School programme are predicted to achieve 71% GLD. This difference suggests that children engaged in the programme are continuing to outperform their peers, providing evidence of ongoing added value. The previous cohort achieved 69% GLD, which aligns with the sustained improvement seen in recent years. Outcomes Across Groups Analysis by key groups highlights important patterns in programme impact. Children eligible for Pupil Premium achieve slightly higher GLD rates (61%) than those not eligible (54%), indicating that the programme is effectively supporting children experiencing economic disadvantage. Children with English as an Additional Language achieve particularly strong outcomes (69%), outperforming non-EAL peers. This suggests that the programme has a positive effect on communication and language development, likely linked to its emphasis on home learning and parental engagement. Outcomes for children with SEND are significantly lower, reflecting the higher level of need within this group. This is consistent with national trends and highlights an area for further development, particularly in terms of tailored support and alternative measures of progress. Interpreting Impact The programme's outcomes provide strong evidence that children are making progress towards key developmental milestones. Improvements in school readiness are not only reflected in overall Good Level of Development (GLD) outcomes but also demonstrate progress in the fundamental areas of communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, and learning behaviours that underpin later educational success. Children eligible for Pupil Premium achieve slightly higher GLD rates (61%) than those not eligible (54%), indicating that the programme is successfully supporting children facing economic disadvantage to reach important developmental milestones and narrow gaps in attainment. Children with English as an Additional Language achieve particularly strong outcomes (69%), outperforming their non-EAL peers. This suggests that the programme is having a positive impact on communication and language development. The programme's emphasis on home learning, parent-child interaction and parental engagement appears to be effectively supporting children's language acquisition, confidence and readiness for school. Outcomes for children with SEND remain lower, reflecting the higher level of need within this group. While this is consistent with national trends, it also highlights an important area for continued development. Future work will focus on strengthening tailored support and identifying additional measures that capture the significant developmental progress made by children whose achievements may not be fully reflected through GLD outcomes alone. The strength of these outcomes is particularly significant when considered in context. All participating children live in an area of high deprivation, and many experience multiple and overlapping risk factors known to impact early childhood development. Despite these challenges, the programme consistently supports children to make progress towards age-related developmental expectations and key milestones associated with school readiness. Since 2021, outcomes have improved steadily and now meet or exceed national expectations. This suggests that the programme is effectively addressing barriers to development through its focus on parental confidence, relationship-based practice and high-quality support for learning in the home environment. These are all recognised protective factors that contribute to positive developmental outcomes. The stronger outcomes achieved by participating children when compared with the wider cohort provide further evidence that the intervention is making a measurable and meaningful difference. The programme is not only contributing to improved educational outcomes but is also supporting the developmental foundations that enable children to thrive beyond the early years. Conclusion The Ready for School programme demonstrates a clear pattern of improvement in outcomes over time, with particularly strong performance in the post-pandemic period. Results show that children supported through the programme achieve levels of school readiness that compare favourably with local and national benchmarks, despite living in significantly disadvantaged circumstances. Evidence suggests that the programme is successfully supporting children to achieve the key developmental milestones, particularly in relation to communication and language development, parental engagement, learning behaviours and overall school readiness. Continued development, particularly in relation to SEND outcomes, will further strengthen the evidence base and support ongoing improvement. Ready for School has also been recognised within independent research exploring effective early years practice, where it is included as an example of delivery contributing to strong outcomes within the local system (www.funding-futures.org/home).