Toybox
Parents & carers
Play, learning and support for your family.
Toybox supports Traveller and Roma children from birth to four and their families in Northern Ireland. Through play-based home visits and practical family support, we help children explore, learn and take their next steps into early education.
Key facts
- Who it’s for
- Traveller and Roma children aged birth to four, and their families
- What’s offered
- Play-based home visits and practical family support
- Where
- Northern Ireland
Funded by
About Toybox
An early childhood programme for Traveller and Roma families
Funded by the Department of Education, Toybox is an early childhood programme aimed at improving the long-term outcomes for Traveller and Roma children and their families.
The programme uses a home visiting approach with a focus on play to support children’s transition into education, and advocacy strategies to help young Traveller children (birth to 4 years) and their families access high-quality early education, formal schooling and family support.
Supporting children’s emotional health
Since Covid-19, Toybox has adapted its service to further develop the emotional health of the children in the programme, and the number of children supported. A parent survey about Covid-19 highlighted the impact of the pandemic on children’s and families’ wellbeing. Some of the issues children faced were due to:
changes in their routine
no access to school or friends at school
limited movement around their home or area
fear of family members becoming sick (older children)
Funding secured from the Clear project to deal with the evolving needs of children allowed Toybox to buy resources which families could use to explore their emotions together.
Resources for children included a story book, a feelings board with discs and wooden people. These items were chosen to help families navigate some of the emotions their children were encountering and find solutions together in their safe home environment.
How we help
Supporting your child. Working alongside your family.
Toybox brings together play, support with starting education and help accessing services.
Learning through play
Play-based activities and resources give children opportunities to explore and learn, with parents and carers involved in their development.
Starting pre-school and school
Support for children and families as they move into early education and school.
Finding the right support
Help accessing early education and family services, with support to communicate your family’s needs.
Is Toybox available where you live?
Contact Early Years to ask about Toybox in your area and find out what the next steps would be for your family.
Home visits
Play and learning in a familiar place
Toybox project workers bring play experiences and resources into the family home, working alongside parents and carers to support children’s development.
Books, toys and everyday materials are used to create opportunities for children and adults to explore and learn together. A recent presentation by the Toybox team described resources including wooden toys, books and simple materials such as cardboard tubes.
Your involvement matters. Toybox works in partnership with parents, recognising your role as your child’s first educator.
Want to know more about a visit?
Ask us what a Toybox home visit involves and how the programme could support your family.
Our work with families
Toybox in numbers
April 2024 - March 2025
225
children registered and supported by Toybox project workers
154
families registered and supported by Toybox project workers
Read more about the programme’s work with children, parents and communities in our 2024/25 Annual Report.
Tools and free downloads
Ideas to explore together at home
Free downloads with reading and activity ideas to share with your child.
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Books and stories
Book suggestions to explore with your child · 205.61 KB
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Feelings and emotions
Activities for talking about feelings together · 431.19 KB
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Back to nature
Ideas for exploring and playing outdoors · 118.12 KB
Contact
Contact us about Toybox
For parents and carers. Contact Early Years to ask about Toybox, discuss the support you are looking for or find out whether the programme is available in your area. Contact us about Toybox or call Early Years and ask about Toybox.
For practitioners and organisations. Working with a family who may benefit from Toybox? Contact Early Years to ask about the appropriate enquiry or referral route. Please ask how to share information securely before sending personal details about a child or family. Ask about a professional enquiry.
- Telephone
- 028 9066 2825
- info@early-years.org