Early Years is none of my business – or is it?

Categorically it is your business. The early years is the business of every person on our planet from new-borns to supercentenarians. We are all stakeholders in the business of our children’s future.

Why is it our business? Firstly, we were all children once, we were formed and moulded by the people we were with and the environment we grew up in. Secondly, there is always a new generation of children. Each of these children will be formed and moulded by their own early experiences and early connections.

The first five years of our lives fundamentally shape the adults we become, the role we go on to play in our communities, and the society that we build together.¹

The UK Report on Early Childhood

The new UK Report² on behalf of the Business Taskforce for Early Childhood is extremely timely. The report was ‘written by business, for business’, and makes the economic case for change in the cultural mindset and support of the early years and the positive impact this can have on both ‘profit and future growth, the core tenets of business.’

What needs to change? Support. Without more of it, things will become extremely costly to both the country’s wellbeing and economy.

Inadequate support for early years care and education costs England more than £16 billion every year.³

Early Intervention

The sooner developmental gaps and challenges are identified in young children, the sooner they can receive effective support, and the sooner many issues can be minimised before they take a real hold. It is imperative that children can be supported in building important foundational strengths and skills that will prepare them for learning, accumulating knowledge and generally coping with life. This results in increased wellbeing and stronger social and emotional skills in each generation of children, plus a wide range of other key skills necessary for success in life.

• £27.5 billion in additional earnings for the UK’s workforce
• £11.8 billion in additional profits for businesses
• £6.2 billion in additional tax revenue for the Government.⁴

What Can Businesses Do?

Businesses need to prioritise early childhood ‘for a happier, healthier society.’

The report has identified the following areas where the biggest impact can be made to support educators, parents, and caregivers:⁵

1. Transform the culture: Build a culture that prioritises early childhood within businesses, local communities, and wider society.
2. Using voice and profile to advocate for families in early childhood: Raise awareness of the importance of early childhood and advocate for the needs of children.
3. Embedding a focus on early childhood outcomes through ESG strategy and reporting.
4. Designing consumer environments to be inclusive and child-friendly spaces.
5. Creating an inclusive workplace culture.
6. Supporting flexible working arrangements.

Summary

The early years is significant to us all, both individually and globally. The sooner we encourage a collective mindset that fully understands the implications of a fully supported early years, the sooner we will see positive results for the future of these children.

Collaborative and united support for a fresh new generation is not just necessary but essential. In this way, together we help forge the way for wellbeing and success in our children, helping them to become the leaders, pioneers, parents, and workforce of tomorrow.