Early Years Wales welcomes Welsh Government’s renewed emphasis on the first 1,000 days

Early Years Wales is pleased to see the Welsh Governments renewed emphasis on the importance of the first 1,000 days after a statement made by the Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden MS.

Image is of Dawn Bowden MS, Minister for Children and Social Care

In a statement made to the Senedd on Tuesday 1st October, the Minister recognised that "the period during pregnancy up to the child's second birthday offers the greatest potential for impact, in both improving outcomes and reducing inequalities." The Minister continued stating the significance of this "early phase" shapes "not only individual lives throughout the life course", but also has a profound impact "on generations to come". The NHS was cited as having a "key role" in providing "universal services" required in the first 1,000 days, being "uniquely placed to support families".

Early Years Wales welcomes this renewed emphasis on the importance of the first 1,000 days from the Welsh Government, as this vital period of development lays the foundations for development into later childhood, adolescence, and then adulthood. It is positive that this work will link in to the Welsh Government's wider child poverty strategy, especially in light of recent research from the Children's Commissioner for Wales which found "around 30% of children in Wales are living in poverty. 26% of children in working households live in poverty" Adding value in policy terms to the first 1,000 days gives a greater chance for children to access an equal start in life, by benefitting from access to play and developmental opportunities provided by our fantastic early years sector regardless of the socioeconomic status of the child's family.

In order to assist the Welsh Government in achieving these ambitions for the first 1,000 days, we feel that a legislative change to the Welsh Government's Early Childhood Play Learning and Care (ECPLC) framework is required. The ECPLC in framework is an incredibly positive piece of guidance, paving the way for the introduction of progressive childcare policies long into the future. However, ECPLC as it stands, exists only as secondary legislation, meaning it acts as guidance, not lawful procedure. Giving ECPLC primary status allows for the framework to be given the attention, and importance it warrants. This change in the statutory guidance would have long lasting benefits in protecting the value of children's play by extending the play-based approach to learning through to education.

CEO of Early Years Wales, David Goodger, said:

"It is incredibly positive to see the renewed emphasis by the Welsh Government on the first 1,000 days. There is extensive research on the importance of this period in the development of children, meaning getting it right for children now will have long lasting benefits. Making ECPLC a statutory requirement will only help the Welsh Government in achieving this objective, enhancing our social justice aims from the very start of a child's life."

- ENDS -

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