Funding boost for Kensington & Fairfield to improve early childhood development

Funding boost for Kensington & Fairfield to improve early childhood development

Kensington & Fairfield, a neighbourhood in Liverpool, is set to benefit from a funding allocation of up to £200,000 aimed at enhancing early childhood development. This grant comes from the Fair Education Alliance, a charity operating nationally, in collaboration with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The funding focuses on supporting projects designed to overcome the underlying barriers that prevent children from low-income families from meeting early development milestones.

These projects will be developed in close partnership with families, schools, and community organisations to establish stronger support networks tailored to the needs of local children. The initiatives are planned to take place over a period spanning from 2026 to 2028. Their launch was marked by a family fun day held recently at the Kensington Family Hub, where families took part in various activities, enjoyed refreshments, connected with local services, and began sharing feedback on the new programmes.

Kensington & Fairfield was chosen for this funding following consultations involving the local council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The selection was based on the area’s high level of need and the considerable opportunity for positive change. Currently, the proportion of children achieving expected development levels by the end of Reception year in this area is significantly below both the local and national averages. Nearly half of the children eligible for free school meals do not meet this standard.

Councillor Liz Parsons, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Services, highlighted the importance of early support for children, stating: “I know from first-hand experience that giving children the best start possible in life is not only an investment in the child but our wider communities.” She emphasised the value of supporting families and expressed optimism about working alongside the Fair Education Alliance and local partners to expand community connections. Charlotte Ledley, Head of Collaboration Partnership for Liverpool City Region at the Fair Education Alliance, added: “We know there’s an attainment gap between children from low-income backgrounds and their peers by the time they start school, and that this only grows as they get older.” She also underlined the importance of local communities driving the solutions needed to create fairer outcomes for young children

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