Book Ahead

What is Book Ahead?

The Book Ahead project aimed to deepen the partnership between Early Years settings and public library services in England. It provided early years practitioners with access to good quality book collections and new skills to support an integrated approach between early year settings and libraries.

It was targeted at 0-7 year olds but with a specific focus on 3-5 year olds.

It provided £4.5m funding for library authorities to channel books to approximately 20,000 Early Years settings, running from 1st April to 31st December 2008.

The project built on the successful Boys into Books 11–14 year olds initiative and supported the Year of Reading 2008, also funded by the DCSF.

Evaluation of Book Ahead

This evaluation connects policy and community needs to implementation of the programme, and its outputs and expected outcomes. The report covers:

The impact and benefits of the project on the work practices, skills and attitudes of library staff and Early Years practitioners
The unique contribution of Book Ahead to the aims of the Early Years Foundation Stage
The other outcomes experienced by recipients of this project (young children and their families)

Key findings from Book Ahead

Early Years Foundation Stage

Book Ahead contributes to the Early Years Foundation Stage goals in communication, language and literacy, as well as personal, social and emotional development through reader development activities for children and encouraging greater involvement of parents in their children’s reading.

Positive outcomes for children and families

Book Ahead led to improvements in children’s listening, vocabulary and communication skills, facilitating increased interaction with other children and increasing the confidence of children in handling books.
Book Ahead supported parental engagement, including bringing in books from home, borrowing books from the Early Years setting, participation in training and using libraries.

Partnerships

Book Ahead strengthened existing partnerships and built new ones.

Deepened engagement and partnership working between public library services and Early Years settings. Over 16,000 Early Years settings engaged with 71% of resources used to support the private, voluntary and independent priority group.
Approximately 50% of Early Years settings engaged were new contacts.

Reader Development

Approximately 50% of Library Services provided structured reader development activities highlighted in the Early Years Foundation Stage, including 4,522 storytelling sessions, 5,443 rhyme time sessions and 1,623 book talks. Over 130,000 children supported by Book Ahead activities.

Sustainability

3,164 Early Years settings registered for a group library ticket as a result of Book Ahead.
Library Services structuring their approach and services to meet the needs of Early Years settings.
74% of responding Library Services intend to continue with the increased level of engagement with Early Years settings

Strategic Recommendations

Library Services to work in partnership with Early Years settings to sustain the impact of Book Ahead partnerships.
Local Authorities should integrate the valuable training and support provided by library staff into early years training and inspection strategies.
The DCSF to ensure library services are integrated into national early years literacy initiatives such as Every Child A Talker, to sustain the impact of Book Ahead and partnership working.
Children’s services departments to ensure that library services are embedded in local strategies to develop children’s communication, language and literacy skills.
Further research the take up of Schools Library Services by Early Years settings, particularly private, voluntary and independent groups.