Barnardo’s NI welcomes the opportunity to respond to the draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy. Our response is informed by our long experience delivering a wide breadth of services throughout Northern Ireland, including services that support infants, children, and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing throughout their formative years.
We know that the first 1,001 days of a child’s life lay the foundations for resilient physical and mental wellbeing, shaping brain development, and affecting lifelong health, behaviour, and learning. We also know that childcare settings are key spaces for children to learn and grow in a safe environment, and enables families, parents, and caregivers to access services and employment.
Barnardo's NI calls for a fully costed and actionable Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, with greater recognition of early years learning, commitment to developing supports for disadvantaged families, and recognition of the needs of newcomer families and families seeking sanctuary.