Thrive Before 5
Helping Children to Get Ready for School
Thrive Before 5 is a Sefton-wide campaign designed to help families support their children's development before they start school in September.
The campaign focuses on children who will be starting Reception and encourages families to take part in a range of fun and simple activities that build the skills children need to feel confident and ready to learn.
What is Thrive Before 5?
Thrive Before 5 brings together 21 family-friendly activities, carefully selected from the 50 Things to Do Before You're Five initiative. The activities are designed to be low-cost and help children to learn through play and everyday experiences. They provide opportunities for families to spend quality time together while supporting their child's development.
How the Activities Help Children
The Thrive Before 5 activities support children to:
- Learn new words and build their vocabulary
- Develop communication and conversation skills
- Build confidence through play and interaction
- Learn to take turns and work with others
- Develop respect, independence and curiosity
These early experiences help children to develop the skills they need and encourage a positive start at school.
Look Out for Thrive Before 5 Across Sefton
Families may see Thrive Before 5 banners displayed outside schools, nurseries and other community locations across Sefton.
Each banner highlights one of the 21 activities and includes a QR code linking directly to the Early Years Padlet wall, where families can find more information, activity ideas and resources.
Children can also turn the campaign into a fun challenge by going on a “banner hunt” in their local area and discovering new activities along the way. Some activities can even be completed on the banner hunt, like activity number 8 to ‘take a bus ride’.
Thrive Before 5 Activity Booklet
A Thrive Before 5 activity booklet has been created to help children track the activities they complete. The booklet allows children to tick off activities as they go and celebrate their achievements throughout their school readiness journey.
Digital versions are available on the Early Years Padlet wall and printed copies can be collected from Sefton Family Hubs and Sefton Libraries.
Families are encouraged to bring completed booklets to school when they start Reception to share their experiences and achievements, and all children will be given a medal.
Working Together to Give Children the Best Start
Thrive Before 5 has been developed in partnership with:
- NHS Mersey Care
- Sefton Family Hubs
- Active Sefton
- Arriva Buses
- Sefton Libraries
Together, we are working to support children and families and help to give every child the best possible start in life.
Find Out More
The Early Years Padlet wall includes everything you need to know about Thrive Before 5, as well as a wide range of other Early Years support and guidance. Padlet is a free online noticeboard where families can access information and resources all in one place.
Explore all 21 activities or download the Thrive Before 5 activity book by visiting the Early Years Padlet wall.
Watch our short video below explaining the campaign and how to get involved.
Keep Up to Date
Follow us on social media and keep an eye out for Thrive Before 5 content and family-friendly activities throughout the year.
Sefton Council
Instagram: @sefton_council
Facebook: Sefton Council
Sefton Family Hubs
Instagram: @seftonfamilyhubs
Facebook: Sefton Family Hubs
Sefton Early Years
Instagram: @seftonearlyyears
Facebook: Sefton Early Years