and well-being in later life, a cross-party parliamentary group
argues.
The report by a working group from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on a Fit and Healthy Childhood has called for a holistic approach to the early years, in the latest in a series of recent high-level reports that stress the importance of early intervention and prevention, including one from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Conception to Age 2, and the latest analysis from the Early Intervention Foundation.
It covers a wide range of topics, including the antenatal period and maternal physical and mental health, breastfeeding and weaning, parental support services, infant nutrition and socioeconomic factors that may affect the health and well-being of young children.
It calls for a new Government department, Children and Family Life, led by a cabinet minister for children.
The working group was made up of former MPs, academics, and health and education experts, and was sponsored by the University of Northampton.
The report is intended to offer recommendations that are 'credible, feasible and evidence-based', for an early years strategy for whatever political party wins the general election, but acknowledges that long-term change may take longer than one parliamentary term.
The report takes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child's definition of early childhood as being from birth to eight.
Writing in the foreword to the report, former Labour MP Helen Clark, chair of the working group and the lead author, says, 'In an age of austerity, by spending early, the later savings to education, health, social or criminal justice services will be immense. Investing in the children of today is not a gamble - it is sound economic sense.'
Dr Eunice Lumsden, head of early years at the School of Education, University of Northampton, said the report provides strong evidence about the importance of the early years in optimising life chances.
'While there has been unprecedented investment in the early years over the past two Governments, there is so much more that needs to be done, especially through cross-party support of an early years strategy that recognises that change will take longer than the term of a Government.'
She added that the report shows that children's lives could be dramatically improved by professionals working together, both locally and nationally.
'There are examples of good practice across the UK and initiatives that are making a difference, but we need to realise there are no quick fixes; change takes time. However, as the evidence presented in this report so powerfully illustrates, we can shape a different future for children and families and become the standard that others look to.'
Chair of the APPG Baroness Floella Benjamin of Beckenham said the report showed that investing in children 'isn't a luxury - it's a priority.
'Political parties that "get" that fact are investing in the children of today who will form the thriving, economically successful United Kingdom of tomorrow.'
Antenatal care
The report calls for an expansion of the number of midwives and for mothers to have access to a dedicated midwife throughout pregnancy and after the birth.
It suggests that children's centres should be used as antenatal care hubs with a multi-professional approach.
It proposes extending evidence-based programmes, such as the Family Nurse Partnership, prioritising access to 'at-risk' groups.
It also calls for a national communication strategy to make information more widely available, working with local authorities and the voluntary sector.
Infant nutrition and early years nutrition
There should be improved national training for midwives and maternity support workers in breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.
Amending the Equality Act (2010) would require employers to have paid breaks for breastfeeding mothers and provide facilities for them to breastfeed and store milk.
Training for early years workers to support mothers with infant feeding is also recommended.
Health visitors should be trained to ensure they are able to advise parents on early nutrition, which should be a key competency for professional development.
Statutory guidelines for food and drink in the early years should be reviewed annually.
It adds that a national anti-obesity strategy should be set up, starting in infancy with interventions designed to support parents in improving and changing eating behaviours and diets.
The Department of Health should work with baby and toddler brands and retailers to produce guidelines for the earliest age at which babies should start eating solids, giving parents clear and practical advice.
Health and well-being boards should also have a role in commissioning local services to provide advice for parents on solid foods and feeding toddlers.
In addition, the Government should bring early childhood nutrition indicators into the key developmental checks and frameworks that are used to measure child poverty and health inequalities.
Childhood obesity
A cabinet post with a remit for the early years to co-ordinate cross-departmental strategies and share and evaluate best practice would lead to happier and healthier children and cut the rates of childhood obesity and overweight, the report says.
A ministerial taskforce would lead a national framework on early years nutrition and lifestyle.
There should be standardised healthcare professional training to enable nutritional, play and activity advice for the families and carers of pre-school children, combined with a co-ordinated early intervention strategy.
Play
The National Play Strategy (2008) should be revised with plans for play in schools and public spaces.
There should be statutory performance measures of children's play using EU indices of child health and well-being.
It recommends that there should also be a standard time set for children's play during the early years in settings and schools, brought into the inspection process.
Education and training needs
The report calls for a professional body for the early years profession with responsibility for registering professionals and developing, accrediting and monitoring ongoing professional development and good practice.
There should also be a Code of Ethical Practices for the early years profession to ensure that employment conditions are commensurate with the professional role.
- Read Helen Clark's comment piece on the report here
RECOMMENDATIONS ROUND-UP
The report's wide-ranging recommendations cover:
- antenatal, maternal nutrition and mental health
- infant nutrition
- early years nutrition following weaning
- childhood obesity, early years nutrition and health devolution in the United Kingdom
- the role of play
- the educational and training needs of health and education professionals
- socioeconomic inequalities
- the use of legislation, regulation and guidance
- access to advice and assistance
- cultural imperatives and diversity
- the impact on the life course of the early years
- the role of sleep.
