Providing Education and Wellbeing Services for All
BEST START
Stay, Play & Learn School Readiness Programme
Supporting children to get the best start in life
Recreate-U’s Best Start Stay, Play and Learn programme is an evidence-informed early intervention designed to improve school readiness and support the health and wellbeing of children and families.
Through engaging, play-based sessions, we create a bespoke structured and supportive learning journey that helps children build the confidence, skills, and independence they need to thrive as they start school, while parents gain practical, easy-to-use strategies to support learning at home.
Programme Overview
- Age group: Pre-school children and their parents/carers
- Delivery: Interactive group sessions
- Led by: Qualified Early Years teachers
- Settings: Family Hubs, schools, nurseries
- Focus: School readiness, wellbeing and early development
- Approach: Play-based and evidence-informed
For Families
Our welcoming, fun sessions are designed for you and your child to enjoy together.
Through play, games, and simple activities, your child will develop key skills for starting school, including:
- Communication and language
- Confidence and independence
- Social skills and interaction
Parents and carers also benefit from direct support from a qualified Early Years teacher, with opportunities to ask questions, gain reassurance and build confidence in supporting learning at home.
For NHS Commissioners and Partners
Best Start is a preventative early intervention programme supporting key NHS and public health priorities, including:
- Early years development
- Prevention and early help
- Reducing health inequalities
Aligned with Department for Education Best Start for Life, Family Hub, and early help strategies, the programme strengthens Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) outcomes while supporting families to engage with services at an early stage.
Where We Deliver
We deliver Best Start programmes throughout the year across:
- Family Hubs
- Schools
- Nurseries
- Libraries
Currently available in Salford, Bolton, and Bury, with flexible delivery models to meet local needs.
We also work with partners to deliver Best Start in new locations and adapt the programme to meet local priorities.
Get Involved
👉 Book your place today and help your child feel ready and confident for school:
👉 Bring Best Start to your setting:
Education and wellbeing programmes across Greater Manchestar and beyond
Learn. Connect. Grow.
Our work is guided by Recreate-U’s core values: creating meaningful journeys, offering bespoke support, helping people learn and grow, and delivering professional, high-quality experiences.