Opening Doors
Access to early childhood services for families impacted by poverty in the UK
UNICEF UK and the NSPCC have launched a report that finds that families experiencing poverty in the UK face barriers to accessing early childhood services at every level.
The report draws from an evidence review and new research with 30 parents and carers who are experiencing poverty and raising children aged under-5, as well as 12 early childhood professionals.
Poverty can have a negative impact on a young child’s development, increasing their likelihood of ill health, poor mental health, and putting them at a disadvantage before they start school. Access to high quality early childhood services, such as maternity, health visiting and integrated support in children’s centres or family hubs can significantly reduce these inequalities and provide a lifeline for families on low incomes.
But our research shows that parents living on low incomes face barriers at every turn when trying to access these services. Without high-quality support, we risk too many babies and young children falling behind.
It is crucial that the UK Government rebuilds and reforms early childhood services so that they improve access to support for babies, young children and families experiencing poverty to make sure every young child has the best chance of a happy and healthy life.
