Terrific Two’s short film premier on Bradford City Park’s Big Screen

Article dated Tuesday Aug 1, 2023 at 10:05 AM

Bradford Council is inviting families to join them when they reveal a short creative film which enters a magical world created alongside two-year-old children in Bradford district.

The short film premier and supporting activities will take place on Wednesday 2 August, 10am until 12 noon at Bradford City Park’s Big Screen and City Library.

The preview itself will be shown on Bradford City Park’s Big Screen at 11am for only a few minutes, but the full two-hour event with supporting activities is free for families to attend.

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy activities running alongside the premier, including storytelling at City Library, giant bubbles, chalk painting, making crown crafts with a parade around City Park Mirror Pool, and an appearance from the Bookstart Bear!

Families will also have the chance to join the library where children under five can become members of the Bookstart Bear Club, a library incentive scheme encouraging families to start their reading journeys with free prizes and gifts along the way. 

Children aged four and over will also be able to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge 2023, a yearly scheme encouraging children to develop and maintain a love of reading books or listening to audiobooks throughout the summer holidays and beyond.

During the event, Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Gerry Barker and Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council will hand out Oscar awards to the two-year-old children who took part in the film as they walk up a red carpet to receive their award, alongside their families. 

The film, taken in locations across the Bradford district will show a fairy fly in the sky, footballs transform into planets, children fly in a bubble across the skies over Myra Shay playing fields and stories come to life with dinosaurs appearing from the pages.

In this magical world, the children give everyone a glimpse of their world filled with all the things they love… bubbles, friendship, colours, fun, adventure, exploration, imagination, and stories.

The film has been the latest creative project in the Terrific Two’s campaign, raising the importance and positive role that nurseries, family hubs and childminders have in supporting children to have a great start in the early years.

All the two-year-old children who have taken part in the film have accessed 15 hours of free childcare at either a private nursery, family hub or through a childminder.

The multi-media campaign has shown a positive increase in take-up across the Bradford district since it began in April 2022, however the campaign is still trying hard to reach the audiences of families with a child approaching two years of age and families who may not be aware of their eligibility for the free childcare.

Elana, a parent of one of the children in the film, said:

“My daughter has really enjoyed taking part in the filming and every time we go to Myra Shay playing fields she always mentions about being part of a film!

“When we saw the video for the first time she was so excited seeing herself on the TV and speaking about her friends.

“We have supported this campaign as I know the positive effect it has on a child's development. My son was one of the first children to pilot this programme in Bradford 17 years ago.

“I see the change it has had on both of them, how it has helped them thrive, build confidence, increase self-awareness, self-esteem and has built us social networks with friends and nursery staff.”

Marium Haque, Strategic Director of Children’s Services, said:

“The benefit of accessing early education for children includes the opportunity to socialise, helps develop their language, to make friends, and to explore new things like arts and crafts and outdoor play while being supported by trained early years staff. 

“We also know while children are developing these important skills, there are important benefits to parents and carers too.

“Early education allows families time for working, hobbies, self-care, caring for other children or relatives or catching up at home while their child has new opportunities and a chance to develop independence of their own.

“Families can start with a few hours and there’s no pressure to take the whole 15 hours.”

Lisa Brett, Head of Service for Early Help and Prevention, said:

“It can be very positive for two-year-old children to make important connections and bonds outside of the family home with other children and childcare practitioners.

“We are pleased we have seen increases in the take up of spaces across the district, but we are aware we still have more to do.

“We will continue to highlight the importance of the Terrific Two’s campaign so as many people as possible have access to information about the childcare options they have.”

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for education, employment and skills, said:

“I would encourage families who are interested in finding out more about the 15 hours of free childcare for eligible families to come down to the event.

“You will have the chance to speak to a member of the team and find out about the different childcare options without any commitment.”

Families can find out if their child is eligible for 15 hours of free childcare by visiting www.bradford.gov.uk/terrifictwos, emailing childcarehelpandsupport@bradford.gov.uk, or by phoning Bradford Council on 01274 437503.

In case of bad weather, please meet inside City Library (just next to Bradford’s Big Screen) at 10am.

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