The Developing Everyone's Learning and Thinking Abilities (DELTA) parenting programme aims to promote both the holistic development of children and their parent's self-esteem in order to enhance the parent/carer and child relationship. DELTA operates on a multidisciplinary basis using a "Parents as Partners" model. The programme was originally informed by reliable, rigorous research with sound data collection. The aim was to investigate the effects that mothers might have on their children's development by stimulating them through talking, listening and sharing books following the mother's attendance at a parenting programme. Broad positive gains were reported--maternal attitudes changed, as they felt they were sensitised to the natural learning opportunities in the home. Additionally, when fathers were involved significant higher gains were reported. The DELTA project in the Southern Area of Northern Ireland started in 1992 as a pilot project. Following the success of the pilot, the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB), the Southern Health and Social Services Board (SHSSB), the three Health and Social Services Trusts (Armagh/Dungannon, Craigavon/Banbridge, and Newry/Mourne) and the Voluntary sector agreed to work together to provide DELTA as a preventative support programme to parents and carers within their catchment area. It was the intention that DELTA would develop practice using the skills, opportunities and resources available within the area. The SELB/SHSSB employed a development officer in 1995 to facilitate the expansion of the project. Further growth took place in 1998 through the European Union Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation's (Peace II) Measure 5.2, Preventing Exclusion (Childhood Fund). Primary and Post Primary Developments were implemented as a result of unpublished research entitled "Assessment of Parenting Educational Needs". The SELB secured the funding through Department of Education Northern Ireland initiater expansion took place after 2000 through the government's Sure Start scheme. Changes are taking place again when Newry and Mourne Trust become the lead agency for DELTA on behalf of the Boards in January 2006. Since 1995, over 18,000 parents and carers have taken part in DELTA programmes. This article seeks to provide a description of the project, its strategic and theoretical context, its aims and objectives. It will also look at DELTA's services and activities, how they have developed, and gives some feedback from parents. (Contains 1 figure.)