Early Childhood
Strategy Outline
'Early Childhood' (defined as usually up to seven years of age) covers initiatives associated with parenting, preventing child abuse, children's issues and everything related to avoiding problems later in life through positive experiences and avoidance of harm as children.
This has been a large and important area of programme support from the Foundation in the past, but it is so big that the current focus is to leave core programme delivery to government and other funders. Instead, the Foundation will focus nationally on supporting research, collaboration and skills-building to encourage credible groups to strive for a more family-friendly, holistic, community-based and adequately funded approach to bringing children up in safe, stable and positive environments.
Locally, Funding Managers can consider supporting delivery of the most effective local services like parenting programmes. Especially those that have a sustained presence and impact in their area, that provide durable skills and support to the most needy groups, and that link with wider community initiatives where possible.
For national and larger-scale initiatives, an online application can be made directly to the Foundation.
Other Supporting Families & Social Services strategies: