First 1000 Days of Life

Are you a parent or an expectant parent?

The early years of a child's life from pregnancy to age 2 are vital to their physical, mental and emotional health and development. Problems that occur in this period can not only affect a person’s childhood, but the rest of their life: their physical and mental health, their ability to learn, communicate and manage their emotions.

 
All parents need support during this time from their families and friends, but also from local public services (e.g. midwives, GPs, children centres and health visitors). These services can help to identify problems in a child’s development and provide support for parents and families to help make sure children are given the best start in life. 
 
The House of Commons Health and Social CareCommittee who are responsible for holding the Government to account, are seeking parents’ views on the challenges, and the support, they received during the first years of their child’s life, from conception to age 2.

How can you help? 

The Committee is interested in hearing from parents from all walks of life, particularly those who:

·  Live in poorly connected or rural areas

·  Are first-time parents

·  Are single parents

·  Do not have English as a first language

Join our online discussion
 
Your answers will be used to inform the Committee’s scrutiny of the Government.
 
You will be required to answer a few questions and share your experience on our MumsNet Web Forum