Learning from Lived Experience: Opportunities to Strengthen Early Child Development in Ealing

Abstract

What happens in a child’s earliest years lays the foundations for their lifelong wellbeing. Supporting young children and families during this time is therefore critical for individuals, families, communities, and societies more broadly to thrive and flourish. This report shares research findings from the Enabling Early Child Development in Ealing (ECDE) project. It explores the perspectives and experiences of parents/carers with children aged 5 and under, alongside insights from staff from key services on early child development, with the aim of enhancing support in Ealing borough, London. While Ealing is home to a range of formal and informal assets for families and children, there is room to improve, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic which has had a negative impact on the proportion of children meeting key developmental milestones.