Over the last 12 months Early Years Wales have been working with the Cross-Party Group on Children and Families along with a number of other organisations. Yesterday, Early Years Wales was proud to see the launch of Bil Pob Plentyn | A Law for Every Child. This legislative proposal takes a rights-based approach to strengthening the commitment to babies, children, and families and paves the way for whoever is leading the government in Wales to adopt a legislative programme to make a significant difference to every child in Wales.
With the early years sector firmly in our frame of reference, we are pleased to see calls for the right to early education and care, with a proposal that this should be accessible from 9 months to 4 years. This supports our aspiration to see further investment of resources into the childcare sector in Wales, promoting the First 1,000 Days of childhood with support for families and continuing this into the next 1,000 days; these formative years are so important to children's development and promoting the best start in life. We are also delighted to note that the right to play is highlighted and the calls to strengthen this right.
Working with Jane Dodds MS, Sioned Williams MS, and with significant cross-party support, the launch of Bil Pob Plentyn | A Law for Every Child provides a tangible way forward for the government in Wales to address child poverty, ensure that resources are dedicated to babies, children, and families and a powerful step towards a more equitable Wales if adopted into the legislative programme after the next Senedd elections.
David Goodger, CEO Early Years Wales and Leo Holmes, Head of Policy and Advocacy