Giving Children the Best Start in Life

#NottsBestStart

A baby holding onto an adults finger with a yellow back drop.

 Nottinghamshire Health and Wellbeing Board An infographic with three colourful blocks in orange, pink and blue. Wording reads: Best Start in Life.

Giving children the best start in life is a key part of improving health and reducing inequalities. The earliest years of a child’s life have a huge impact on their long-term development and their life chances. If we get the early years right, we pave the way for a lifetime of achievement.

Nottinghamshire Best Start Strategy 2025-2030

We launched our refreshed Best Start Strategy 2025-2030 [PDF] in November 2025. This aims to help every child have the best possible start in life. It will play a key role in delivering the government’s national commitment to improve early child development and reduce inequalities.

The strategy brings together key organisations to improve the life chances of all children in Nottinghamshire; working as a multi-agency Best Start Partnership to engage and support families prior to conception, in pregnancy and across the early years.   

We have developed five priorities informed by the evidence base and our engagement with partners and families.

The five priorities for Nottinghamshire are as follows:

  1. Building blocks of health and wellbeing
  2. Parents mental health
  3. Preparing to be parents and healthy beginnings
  4. Building strong relationships
  5. Early experiences: chat, play, read and learn

The strategy builds on successful work already happening in Nottinghamshire and will be overseen by a Best Start strategic partnership.

Best Start in Life local plan

To accompany the strategy, we have also developed a Best Start in Life Local Plan [PDF] , setting out in detail how we will improve outcomes for children and families. This plan will be updated regularly to respond to data, evidence, emerging guidance and local system reform.

Best Start for Life Offer

To help families know what support and services are available from early pregnancy until age 5, we have developed a Nottinghamshire Best Start for Life Offer.

Find out more

Further information, evidence and local data can be found in the 1001 Days and Early Years and School Readiness joint strategic needs assessment chapters.

You can also email earlychildhoodservices@nottscc.gov.uk

Please note - the Best Start strategy has been created for Nottinghamshire county residents, but has a shared vision with Nottingham city and a joined-up approach wherever possible.

Local services and support for families