Bookstart Impact Report 2025/26

Bookstart is BookTrust's evidence-informed early years reading support programme for children aged 0-5, delivered with early years partners across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In 2025/26 over 1.1 million children and families engaged with Bookstart programmes. Bookstart Baby reached 568,000 babies (93% of all babies born in 2025/26), and Bookstart Toddler and Pre-schooler reached 445,600 children aged 1-4, including 37% of all 1-4-year-olds living in low-income households. The report draws on feedback from 644 Bookstart partners and 2,155 Bookstart families: 80% of parents and carers receiving Bookstart Baby say they now read or share books and stories more with their child, and 85% say that reading and sharing books in Bookstart packs has helped them feel closer to their child.

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About

BookTrust is the UK's largest children's reading charity (registered charity number 313343). For more than 30 years Bookstart has helped families enjoy the benefits of reading together from the earliest moments in childhood, as a critical part of giving children the best start in life. Bookstart programmes (Baby, Toddler, Pre-schooler and Storytime) comprise access to free books and resources, evidence-informed guidance and strengths-based messaging for families, with support for and from trusted local early years partners. Bookstart combines national reach with flexible local delivery through an established network of almost 30,000 early years partners in family hubs and other multi-agency settings, health services, libraries and community organisations, with pathways focused on reaching families on low incomes, children with additional needs and children from vulnerable family backgrounds.

Key Metrics

568,000 babies reached by Bookstart Baby in 2025/26 (93% of all babies born)

Over 1.1 million children and families engaged with Bookstart programmes in 2025/26

80% of parents and carers receiving Bookstart Baby say they now read or share books and stories more with their child

Key Outcomes

445,600 children aged 1-4 reached through Bookstart Toddler and Pre-schooler, including 37% of all 1-4-year-olds living in low-income households
85% of parents and carers say that reading and sharing books in Bookstart packs has helped them to feel closer to their child
81% of partners believe Bookstart helps support their organisation's overall objectives, and over 90% say Bookstart programmes are important to their organisation