An ambitious early childhood strategy is needed to meet the 'unique' needs of families with young children, a charity has warned today.
A new report from the Nuffield Foundation shows that early childhood is increasingly characterised by inequality and uncertainty.
It found the early childhood education and care system is 'not fit for purpose' and is in need of urgent reform.
The report sets out four goals that should underpin an early years strategy, backed up clear objectives, sustained investment, joined up services and the principle of early intervention.
The four goals are:
- Services understand and respond to the needs of all families with young children in the round.
- All parents have a choice about how they care for their young children.
- An early education and care system supports all young children’s learning – in the broadest sense – with a focus on tackling disadvantage.
- A societal commitment to tackling the causes and effects of early childhood poverty.
Carey Oppenheim, author of the review and early childhood lead at the Nuffield Foundation said: 'We need an early years strategy that prioritises family-focused, joined up services that take account of the complexity and dynamism of family lives.
'To be effective, systems of support should empower families of young children and meet their evolving needs today and into the future. Working together to get the fundamentals right in early childhood is part of creating a more resilient, productive and just society for us all.'
