Why?

We all want our children to thrive, to be happy, and to develop to their full potential. Children’s early years are a wonderful opportunity. High quality care and education in their early years allows children to start strong, giving them solid foundations upon which they can build their lives.

If we do not give young children the care, support and opportunities they need, we are wasting the chance to lay those solid foundations. Children do not have a second chance – there is only one childhood.

Young children need high quality care and education because it works:

For children. First and foremost, quality care and education in the early years helps children to flourish and make the most of their lives.

For the economy. A strong economy depends on people’s skills, creativity, motivation and knowledge. Investment in young children has high economic and social returns, because its impact on people’s skills and dispositions lasts a lifetime.

For society. Quality care and education for young children helps make society fairer and more equitable through reducing social and economic disadvantage and strengthening equality.

Quality care and education should be a right for all young children.