Ensure we give our pre-school Children the best start in life

We will develop information packs for new mothers on health and wellbeing, housing and other advice and support services. This will include a library card for the new baby.

New Birth Welcome Packs include leaflets, Bookstart registration, key contacts, support services, health advice to help with every aspect of parenting, so children get the best possible start in life.

We know that the life chances of some people are decided even before they are born. This cannot be right, Bolton Labour will protect all services that provide wrap around support for babies and young people, protecting their health, educational and wellbeing needs.         

The Healthy Child Programme and the Children’s Integrated Health and Wellbeing Service supporting children and families through preventative, health improvement and public health services and interventions.

2025 Council budget, Labour used additional government revenue to double up on the ring fenced Government grant on investing in preventive services for young people and their families.

We will use Government allocated funding to establish Family Hubs in as many neighbourhoods as possible.  The Hubs will provide holistic care and support for parents and children.  

The Family Hubs and Start Well Centres have been launched across the Borough, at Astley Bridge, Breightmet, Farnworth, Great Lever, Halliwell, Horwich, Kearsley Rumworth, Tonge and Westhoughton.

The national project, known as ‘Books for Babies’, has proven successful for early development. Labour want to invest more into these services to get babies and toddlers being used to being read to, and eventually reading.

Pledge yet to implemented.

We never want a situation of any child in Bolton going hungry. We will explore ways to provide nutritious school meals for pre-school children. 

Our Anti Poverty Strategy provides supermarket vouchers for pre school age children if family meets qualifying criteria for Free School Meals; further links and development with HAF programme covered. Government extended Free Schools Meals in June 2025 to cover all families on Universal Credit. 

We will reverse the option of having to opt into basic education! Instead, all young children will automatically be signed up for library membership.   

This pledge has been completed. Parents can register for a library card at same time as registering their baby.