A website has been launched to help parents, professionals and other members of the community as they support children to reach their full potential in life.

The Early Years Nurturing Bermuda Initiative is a resource for families to learn more about the importance of early childhood development and how it can be boosted at home.

The site also provides guidance on recognising developmental delays with tools to help families address any questions or concerns they may have.

Cummings Zuill, the founding chairman of the EYNB Initiative Fund Advisory Committee, said: “This is a project that is especially close to my heart and has been a topic of interest of mine for many years. It is the result of over a decade’s worth of research and consulting.

“For years, research has shown that families needed and wanted support in knowing how to promote healthier early childhood growth and development outcomes.

“Now, we have a resource to point them to. I hope this website marks the first step towards equipping all children in Bermuda with the skills and support they need to get the best start and reach their full potential.”

EYNB said that research had identified a demand for information about recognising and encouraging healthy childhood development as well as local resources.

The site was developed to satisfy the demand through the provision of easy-to-understand information.

Its mission is to raise awareness of issues around early childhood development and to support caregivers with information and resources so that all children in Bermuda have an opportunity to succeed.

It shares information on the science and research behind early childhood development as well as a guide to developmental milestones and how to know if a child is missing them.

The site also provides families with tips on supporting children and shares links to helpful websites, tool kits and local resources.

The scheme is supported by the Hemera Foundation and the Bermuda Foundation's investments in early childhood development research and programmes in recent years.

Niche Bermuda, a new communications company on the island, is leading the strategic development and communications planning of the initiative.

Priya Suagh, Niche Bermuda’s managing director, has led groundbreaking public awareness and advocacy campaigns for federal and provincial governments in Canada. Most recently, she consulted for the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation.

The creative development and website design was provided by the team at SJDWorld.

Myra Virgil, the chief executive of the Bermuda Foundation, said: “We are so thrilled to see the launch of the Early Years Nurturing initiative.

“In 2014, we worked with Hemera Foundation Bermuda partners to create the Hemera Foundation to support Bermuda programmes focusing on areas like early childhood development.

“Today’s launch represents a new stage in that journey. We’re delighted that the information has been updated and is available in a format that is easy to understand and in a way even more accessible to all families on the island.”

• For more information, visit the Early Years Nurturing Bermuda’s websiteearlyyearsnurturingbda.org. Community groups or anyone interested in collaborating with EYNB should e-mail info@earlyyearsbda.org