The work will involve adopting public health expert Sir Michael Marmot's eight principles, which concern eliminating unfair and unavoidable differences in health which can be caused by various socioeconomic factors.
The eight principles are as follows:
- Give every child the best start in life.
- Enable all children, young people, and adults to maximise their capabilities and have control over their lives.
- Create fair employment and good work for all.
- Ensure a healthy standard of living for all.
- Create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities.
- Strengthen the role and impact of ill health prevention.
- Tackle racism, discrimination, and their outcomes.
- Pursue environmental sustainability and health equity together.
The Marmot principles recognise the power of early intervention in helping prevent negative health outcomes in later life by supporting physical and cognitive development of children, adding significant value to the childcare sector on a policy level.
This commitment also builds on Wales' Well-being of Future Generations Act, which places a legal duty on public bodies to improve social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being and consider the long-term impact of their decisions.
Head of Policy and Advocacy at Early Years Wales, Leo Holmes, said:
"This is a really positive announcement from the Welsh Government, showing a clear intent on a policy basis to embed the value of early intervention into the fabric of the nation. We are looking forward to supporting the Welsh Government in achieving these ambitions, making the case for why increased funding and support for childcare is vital in giving every child the best start in life".
Welsh Government