Start for Life
The first 1,001 days (from conception to 2 years old) is considered to be the most important time in a child's life for development.
Whether you're a parent/carer, grandparent or other family member, you can use our Start for Life pages to find information, advice and support for this vital period of a child's life.
In this section:
Further support for families
Becoming a parent can be wonderful, but it can also be challenging. There are lots of local groups and organisations who can help and support you with adjusting to family life.
Family hubs and children's centres
Our family hubs and children's centres provide local families and carers with children aged 0 to 5-years-old with information, help and support around child development. Ask at your local centre for details.
Other support for parents and families
- Care and Support Directory (opens new window) - list of services and groups supporting the local community, including parent and toddler groups,
- Cost of living - information on schemes and programmes offering support to households in Hillingdon.
- Discover Hillingdon - find events and activities for children and young children.
- Domestic abuse - find information, advice and support relating to domestic violence and abuse.
- GRoW (opens new window) - help and support for women who are looking to get back into work.
- Home-Start Hillingdon (opens new window) - a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through challenging times.
- Language courses - if English isn't your first language, join one of our ESOL courses where you will improve your reading, writing, speaking and listening, as well as your vocabulary, grammar and punctuation.
- HIllingdon libraries - access a range of reading materials and resources, and find regular events and activities for children at your local library.
- Parenting Apart Programme - supports parents who are going through conflict, divorce or separation, where relationships have broken down. It also supports the emotional wellbeing of children during this difficult time.
- SEND local offer - information for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their parents/carers. It allows families to see what they can expect from a range of local agencies and how to access them.
- Information for the Armed Forces community - information about organisations that offer help and support to those in the Armed Forces community.
- Stop smoking - help and advise to help you stop smoking.
- Stronger Families Hub - information, advice and support for your family.
- Substance misuse - help and advise to help with drug and alcohol addiction.