The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood offers links to wide resources to support early years.
They focus on researching, campaigning and collaborating to raise awareness of and action on the transformative impact of early childhood. In our latest report we have identified six practical areas where wider society has a role to play in harnessing this opportunity:
Our early childhoods, the time from pregnancy to five, fundamentally shape our whole lives. Through research, campaigns and collaboration we are working to change the way we think and act on the early years so that together we can build a happier, healthier, more nurturing world.
We believe that tackling the toughest challenges in early childhood and achieving the biggest, long-term impact requires people coming together. We will collaborate with people from across the private, public and voluntary sectors and all walks of life to make positive change.
If you would like to support parents and carers with young children, there are many different volunteering opportunities available, for example:
'Family Line' supports parents and carers via telephone calls, emails and text messages. FamilyLine Volunteers are the first point of contact for those accessing the service and provide a range of support directly.
'Home Start' offers a range of support to families including home visiting and digital befriending.
'Young Minds Parent Help line' volunteers provide support to parents and carers worried about the mental health or emotional wellbeing of a child or young person from the ages of 0-25.
'Baby Banks' provide essentials, including clothing, equipment and toys, to families with babies and young children in need of help. You can find a local baby bank to support here.
'Squirrels is the Scouts' programme tailor-made for 4 and 5 year olds. It is designed to help early years children learn essential skills for life and is open to volunteers across the UK.