Derbyshire prepares to open ‘Best Start In Life’ family hub in Cotmanhay

Families in Cotmanhay will soon begin to see changes at their local Children’s Centre as they prepare to become the first Best Start Family Hubs in Derbyshire, with further hubs opening across the county in the future, as part of Derbyshire County Council’s Best Start in Life (BSiL) programme.

Over the coming months, along with a site in Birdholme, Cotmanhay Children’s Centre will begin their transition to become Best Start Family Hubs, with work taking place to bring the new hubs to life ahead of their official opening in Autumn 2026.

The BSiL Family Hubs aims to give every child the best possible start by making it easier for families to access support, information and services from pregnancy through to starting school.

Existing Children’s Centres will continue to operate, but, locally, with the Cotmanhay facility evolving into a Best Start Family Hub as part of the first phase of the programme. The hubs build on Derbyshire’s existing Children’s Centre network and enhance the support available to local families through services working more closely together.

When the hubs open later this year, families will be able to access a range of support, activities, information and advice. While the full offer is still being developed with partners, current plans include:

• Activities for children and families, including stay-and-play sessions that support child development through play, routines and shared experiences at home.
• Specialist support, including guidance and advice for early years children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Guidance on Early Years Funding and information about local childcare and Early Years providers.
• Information and advice to help families access support at the right time and make informed choices for their family.
• Connections to local services and organisations through the wider BSiL network.
• Opportunities to meet other families and become part of a welcoming and supportive community.

Additional services, activities and resources will continue to be developed as the Best Start Family Hub offer evolves.

Alongside the physical hubs, the council is developing a dedicated BSiL online hub, providing a single digital destination where families can access information, advice and more from pregnancy through to starting school.

This site will help families find their nearest Best Start Family Hub, explore local activities and services, access trusted information to support their child’s development and connect with support available in their community. While an initial version is already available, further features, information and resources will continue to be added.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families Councillor Paul Maginnis said: “Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and these new Family Hubs will make it easier for families to access information, support and services in one place.

“The early years are such an important time in a child’s development. By bringing services together and making support easier to access, we can help more children thrive and give families the confidence they need during those early years.”

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Safety Councillor Dan Price said: “Family Hubs are about creating welcoming community spaces where families can access support, meet other parents and carers, and connect with services that can make a real difference to family life.

“They will help strengthen connections between local organisations and families, ensuring people know where to go for help and can access support closer to home.”

Information about services, activities and more will be shared closer to the hubs opening. In the meantime, families can learn more about Derbyshire’s Best Start in Life programme and explore the developing digital offer at: www.tinyurl.com/Derbyshire-BSiL