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A long-standing programme that has supplied free books to newborns in Wales for 25 years is facing funding cuts, a move that many describe as “heartbreaking.” BookTrust Cymru, which coordinates initiatives to encourage parents to read with infants and toddlers, expressed concern that the cessation of direct grants could leave disadvantaged families without vital support. Sioned Jones, the organisation’s director, voiced her distress over the impact on children in Wales. Parents have also shared with the BBC how the scheme fosters a close connection between them and their babies.
Responsibility for early years’ literacy in Wales has now shifted to the Welsh government’s educational resources body, Adnodd. This organisation confirmed it is actively working to prevent any interruption in providing literacy materials to families. Thousands of parents annually receive the free Bookstart Baby packs containing bilingual books and guidance through visits from health visitors. BookTrust UK runs the Bookstart scheme, which provides two packs in Wales—typically one around the six-month health check and another at about 27 months. The equivalent charity in Scotland, Scottish Book Trust, performs a similar role in that country.
Jones highlighted that their efforts extend beyond simply distributing books, with tailored elements designed to support families, costing around £370,000 yearly. “We’ve been doing it for a long time,” she said, emphasizing the importance of training practitioners who deliver these programmes and the extensive research BookTrust conducts to evaluate their effectiveness. The funding from Adnodd is scheduled to end in March 2026, after which the body will review how to commission literacy resources for young children going forward. Adnodd explained that rather than duplicating existing delivery methods, they aim to identify the most successful strategies for improving literacy outcomes in Wales, guided by evidence and research.
This development comes amid rising concerns over literacy standards among Welsh pupils, yet BookTrust Cymru stresses that their programmes focus on more than just reading skills. Jones explained that the early years’ shared reading isn’t primarily about literacy but about fostering parental engagement, brain development, and motor skills in children. She expressed puzzlement that such an impactful programme, especially critical for children living in poverty, would be discontinued at a time when literacy is a major concern. Parents like Jess have appreciated the scheme; her daughter enjoys exploring books through touch and play, which Jess says is valuable despite her child not yet being able to read. Another parent, Ravi, spoke about how reading with his two-year-old helps language development and builds a bond, contrasting it with screen use.
Nicola Davies, the Children’s Laureate for Wales, also weighed in, underlining the importance of reading to very young children as a foundation for educational success and family relationships. She remarked on the current pressures that lead many parents to hand screens to young children and described reading as a fundamental cultural skill. Davies called the decision to end the Bookstart programme “crazy,” and warned that its consequences will be felt most deeply by the most vulnerable children in Wales. The Welsh government pledged to ensure continuity, with Adnodd clarifying no final choices have been made and that future literacy initiatives will be commissioned through a competitive procurement process. Adnodd affirmed their commitment to partnering with organisations to uphold strong literacy support for children and families across Wales
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