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Education Secretary Damian Hinds has announced the start of a aimed at promoting early literacy and communication.

 

The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a three-year campaign offering video tips, advice and games for parents to play with their children, called .

 

 

The DfE also announced that it will spend £22 million creating 1,800 new childcare places in school-based settings. It says these will be created in areas of disadvantage.

Parents will also be supported with the creation of “high quality educational apps” aimed at promoting “interactive learning and play”.

 

The DfE is also working with a number of businesses, charities and early years groups on the project. Partnerships include a new scheme with Arriva and Penguin Random House that will include book giveaways at stations, a Small Talk event hosted by volunteer employees from WH Smith and breakfast clubs supported by Greggs Foundation.

 

Hinds said: “Part of making sure our children have the opportunity to take advantage of all the joys of childhood and growing up is supporting them to develop the language and communication skills they need to express themselves. Sadly, too many children are starting school without these – and all too often, if there’s a gap at the very start of school, it tends to persist, and grow.

 

“The only way we are going to solve this is through a relentless focus on improving early communication. So today, we’re launching a society-wide drive with new nursery places, support from business and steps to make learning easier in the home – to improve early learning across the country.”