It is this government's moral mission to give every child in Britain the best start in life | Bridget Phillipson
Briefly

Local family support services allow young mothers like Jenna to access vital breastfeeding advice and social interactions for their children. Sure Start centres, a significant resource for parental support, have experienced drastic funding cuts, leaving many families without necessary services. Today, numerous councils lack adequate childcare provisions, causing children to enter school unprepared. This has especially affected vulnerable populations, with alarming statistics revealing that children eligible for free meals, in social care, and those with special educational needs are falling behind in early development milestones.
Jenna found support through local family support services, essential for breastfeeding advice and creating a playgroup for her son, reaffirming her parenting journey.
Sure Start centres, known for aiding women like Jenna, have faced funding cuts under Conservative governance, significantly affecting support for families across the UK.
The absence of adequate support has resulted in alarming statistics, with one in three five-year-olds lacking basic skills and vulnerable children facing even greater challenges.
Children eligible for free school meals, in social care, or with special educational needs are disproportionately affected, highlighting a critical gap in early childhood development support.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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