Parents, carers and young children are invited to attend the official launch of Southend's Best Start Family Hubs at a free family open day in Shoeburyness next week.
The event will take place from 1pm to 3pm on Wednesday 7 October at Friars Best Start Family Hub, based at Friars Primary School, Constable Way, Shoeburyness.
Families attending will be able to enjoy a range of fun activities with their children, meet the Best Start Family Hub team, learn simple ways to support children's learning and development at home, and discover the support available through local services. Visitors will also be able to visit the Essential Spot, which provides information, advice and practical support for families. Southend's Best Start Family Hubs offer a variety of free sessions, services and courses for children aged 0 to 5 and their families, helping parents access support, advice and activities in one place.
The launch event marks an exciting new chapter for family support in Southend, with Family Centres having evolved into Best Start Family Hubs. The hubs bring together early years services, family support and community resources, making it easier for families to access the help they need close to home.
The launch comes at a time when Southend's focus on early years support is delivering record results for local children. Recent figures showed that 74.9% of Reception-age children achieved a Good Level of Development in 2025/26, the highest ever recorded in the city and above the national average. Around 121 more children reached this milestone compared with the previous year, reflecting the positive impact of partnership working between schools, early years providers, families and support services across Southend.
Daniel Cowan, Leader of the Council, said:
"We want every child in Southend to have the best possible start in life. Our Best Start Family Hubs provide welcoming spaces where families can access support, advice and activities that help children learn, develop and thrive.
"This launch event is a fantastic opportunity for families to meet the team, find out what's on offer and discover the wide range of services available to support them."
Southend currently has three Best Start Family Hubs located in Leigh-on-Sea, Southend and Shoeburyness, alongside a network of satellite sites across the city. The hubs provide opportunities for babies and young children to develop important skills while supporting parents and carers throughout the early years.
The event is free to attend, but places must be booked in advance. Families can reserve a place by emailing Better Start In Life session bookings. Children must be supervised at all times and attendance is limited to one adult per child.