Consultation responses
A Manifesto for Babies: ECSDN Response 2024
In Spring 2024 ‘A Manifesto for Babies’ was published by the First 1001 Days Movement.
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The ECSDN have published their response to this manifesto, written by Dr Helen Simmons (ECSDN Co-Vice Chair Policy, Lobbying and Advocacy) on behalf of the ECSDN.
Recommendations from the report
The Manifesto for Babies recognises that ‘The first 1001 days of life – from pregnancy through the first two years of a baby’s life – is a crucial period’ and that over the last decade, investment in supporting for families and the early years has fallen. This Manifesto outlines five recommendations to address this: 1. An ambitious cross-government strategy to support babies' healthy development. 2. Invest more in prevention. 3. Tackle health inequalities so that all babies have a good start to life. 4. Develop a workforce plan for children's social care and the early years. 5. A rapid review of the tax and benefits system for parents and carers of under-2s. These recommendations aim to address crucial aspects of supporting babies' development, from policy alignment and funding to workforce planning and parental support.
ECSDN Response:
The Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN) supports the values and strategy embedded into the Manifesto for Babies. To see a focus on support for our youngest children and their families is key and the fundamental importance of listening to parents and families as they share their experiences of early care and support is essential. The ECSDN recognise that our graduates are extremely well placed to support this Manifesto due to the holistic nature of our degrees. A quote from Elected Individual Expert on the Manifesto for Babies Steering Group, and Professor of Child Advocacy Eunice Lumsden highlights: Activity from the ECSDN Policy, Lobbying and Advocacy Strategy Group and our ‘Early Childhood Studies Advocacy Project’ also aligns to the core aims of this report. The current Strategy Group project focuses on increasing visibility of students and alumni from the discipline of Early Childhood Studies (ECS), which centres on three key strands: Professional Voices, Connecting Voices, and Political Voices. ‘The Power of Play’ report provides important information and policy advocacy regarding the value of play and education, which aligns with our values and commitment to a graduate-led early childhood workforce who have expertise in evidence regarding early childhood education and care.
'The most valuable gift we can give our youngest citizens is to invest in building solid foundations from which they can flourish’.(Eunice Lumsden)
Early Childhood Studies is an academic discipline with interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary working at its centre. Undergraduate, Postgraduate Students and alumni are equipped with outstanding knowledge and experience, and their expertise are essential in advocating for the health, well-being and education of all children and their families. Early Childhood Studies Students and Graduates bring a unique skill set and expertise that is essential for promoting the healthy development and wellbeing of babies, aligning with the goals and recommendations of the Manifesto for Babies. Early Childhood Studies students and graduates play a crucial role in supporting the recommendations outlined in the Manifesto for Babies. Attributes developed through multidisciplinary modules and multiprofessional work placements mean that students and alumni have expertise in child development, skills in working with families, community engagement and knowledge regarding infant and family mental health and wellbeing. We also recognise that our work in producing Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (ECSDN, 2018) which ‘make a significant contribution to strengthening a graduate-led Early Childhood workforce that is responsive to workforce needs and improves outcomes for children’ complement the priorities outlined in the Manifesto for Babies. These priorities also align to the current activity from the ECSDN Policy, Lobbying and Advocacy Strategy Group and our ‘Early Childhood Studies Advocacy Project’. This project focuses on increasing visibility of students and alumni from the discipline of ECS, which centres on three key strands: Professional Voices, Connecting Voices, and Political Voices. The project and development of resources provide opportunities for connections between ECS students, alumni and the wider early childhood sector, and the building of alliances with other organisations who share aims in relation to improving the status of and workforce conditions for those working in Early Childhood. As we move forward towards the General Election in July 2024, the ECSDN look forward to supporting the aims of the Manifesto for Babies. We welcome continued collaboration regarding our shared aims and commitment to a well-qualified and highly valued early childhood workforce for babies and families.
Written by:
Dr Helen Simmons (ECSDN Co-Vice Chair Policy, Lobbying and Advocacy) on behalf of the ECSDN.
References:
Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (2018). Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies. ECSDN. Accessed 29th May 2024.
Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (2018). About Us. ECSDN. Parent Infant Foundation (2024) The Manifesto for Babies. https://parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2024/03/F1001D-Manifesto-for-Babies-FINAL.pdf. Accessed 29th May 2024.