Over a third of low-income parents are struggling to access pre-school child development and parenting support, charity reveals.
Research by Action for Children found that 35% of lower income parents with children aged 0-5 struggle to access vital ‘lifeline’ parenting support.
The research also revealed that low-income parents are 40% more likely to have problems accessing early years support in comparison to high income families.
The charity called on the Prime Minister to deliver a long-term plan for early years services.
Rossanna Trudgian, head of campaigns and public affairs at Action for Children, said: ‘Every child deserves a chance at having the best start in life, that’s why we’re worried that disadvantaged children are being denied access to the services that allow them to catch up and level up for when they start school.
‘We know from our own frontline services that helping families as early as possible is more effective in the long-run so investing in high quality child support and parenting programmes in every community should be a core part of the ‘levelling-up’ agenda.
‘We urge the next Prime Minister to take urgent action to deliver a long-term plan for early years services with sustained investment in parenting support to ensure every child gets the foundations they need to thrive.’
Responding to the report, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, chair of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Children and Young People Board, said: ‘Effective, high quality early years provision makes a significant difference to young children, helping to break the cycle of disadvantage and improving social mobility while also enabling parents to work.
‘While it was good the Government announced funding through the best start and family hubs programme, we are concerned only half of councils will be able to access support through the programme’s funding over the next three years. This means many children and their families may be missing out on crucial support in their early years at a time when greater investment is needed given the challenges experienced during the pandemic.
‘It is vital the Government fully funds the early years entitlements, ensuring providers get the support they need while enabling all children to have access to places.’
