• a digital service for parents-to-be and new parents, providing regular emails and texts with timely information as their pregnancy develops and their child grows
• free parenting classes to all parents of children aged five years and under in three trial areas (Middlesbrough, High Peak and Camden)
• relationship support for first-time parents in four trial areas (York and Leeds, North Essex, Hackney and City of London, Islington and Westminster) from this summer.

One way in which early years settings can help support families is through home visits. Visiting families at home can help to establish respectful partnership between your setting and parents and enables trust to develop. Pip Otter describes a tried and tested routine for organising home visits.