Giving every child the best start in life is crucial to reducing health inequalities across the life course. The early years, especially pregnancy and the first two years of life, are the most significant in a child’s development. What happens during this time has lifelong effects on health and well-being. For example, obesity, heart disease, mental health, educational achievement and economic status.
The Starting well strengths and needs assessment identified the health and wellbeing needs of 0 to 5 year olds.
After this, the health and wellbeing strategy identified this goal for starting well:
- Children are ready for school.
How we will we know if this goal has been achieved
The gap narrows for the percentage of children who have a good level of development at the end of reception. This compares those that receive the pupil premium and those that do not. In 2022, the gap was 16.9%.
Improving readiness for school means addressing differences that result from where we live, gender, ethnicity and additional support needs. We also need to address causes of family stress. These include poverty, debt, poor housing and domestic abuse.
The Starting Well Maternity and Early Years Strategy 2023-2027 highlights key objectives to meet this goal:
- New and expectant families have what they need for a healthy preconception, pregnancy, families and child.
- Families at highest risk of poor outcomes get help early and are actively involved in shaping their care.
- Access to:
- safe accessible play areas, activities and environments;
- the chance to meet and socialise with other families;
- a range of high-quality early years education and childcare providers.
For more data, please visit: Child and Maternal Health - Calderdale (PHE).