Mark Child’s Post

The best cities for working parents with young families – and most are in the North 

Opening Families Together In England, a significant transformation in family support and child development is underway with the opening of Family Hubs across 75 areas. These hubs, notably, represent a progressive step in the government's commitment to nurturing the early years of childhood. Serving as multifaceted centers, they provide an array of services under one roof. #EarlyChildhoodDevelopmentSupport #EarlyLanguageDevelopmentResources #FamilyHubsUK #FamilySupportServices #FreeChildcareServicesEngland #GovernmentChildcareSchemesUK #MentalHealthSupportforParents #ParentalSupportPrograms #SENDSupportServices #StartforLifeCampaign

With the pandemic and the cost of living crisis having posed challenges to early years services over the past few years, the interventions given by these services to the youngest children remain just as vital. This article takes on a hopeful approach to boosting the accessibility for children and families to access support, something which is greatly beneficial to the whole of society when it is in place. #earlyyears #interventions #accessibility #childhood Institute of Development Studies https://lnkd.in/eBcm4FzS

📚 Exciting News for Parents, Educators, and Child Advocates! 📚 As the Rough and Tumble Play Association of Canada, we're thrilled to share an invaluable resource that addresses the pressing concerns facing today's youth: "The Anxious Generation" by renowned author Johnathan Haidt. In this thought-provoking book, Haidt delves deep into the challenges surrounding anxiety among young people in our digital age, offering actionable insights and strategies for promoting mental well-being. At the heart of our mission is the promotion of holistic child development, and "The Anxious Generation" aligns perfectly with our values. One key theme explored in the book is the importance of fostering non-screen based play in children's lives—a concept we've championed since the inception of our nonprofit. In an era dominated by screens and technology, it's crucial to remind parents, educators, and caregivers of the immense value of unstructured, imaginative play. Rough and tumble play, in particular, holds a special place in our hearts. It's not just about physical activity—it's about building resilience, fostering social skills, and promoting emotional well-being. By encouraging children to engage in playful interactions with peers, we empower them to navigate life's challenges with confidence and grace. "The Anxious Generation" serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role that organizations like ours play in advocating for the well-being of our children. Through our programs, initiatives, and advocacy efforts, we strive to create environments that prioritize creativity, curiosity, and connection—essential ingredients for nurturing resilient, emotionally balanced young people. Have you read "The Anxious Generation"? What are your thoughts on promoting non-screen based play in children's lives? We'd love to hear your insights and experiences in the comments below! #TheAnxiousGeneration #ChildDevelopment #Parenting #Education #NonScreenPlay #RoughAndTumblePlay #HealthyKids 🚀

The latest blog in Foundation for Child Development's Social Justice for Young Children Conversation Series is a compelling one with ideas for a transformative approach to the child care crisis. Worth a read! "About 70% of children are growing up in households where all working-age adults work outside of the home, mostly out of necessity. In 2022, child care was affordable for less than half of families — those earning more than $75,000 per year—yet the United States spends less on child care and early childhood education than most other wealthy nations. And given that child care workers earn an average of $13 an hour, the irony of child care workers being unable to afford care for their own families contributes to the “classic market failure” of child care in the United States. For years, experts and advocates have focused on the workers, arguing that certifications were the solution: that the perceived “quality” would “upgrade” workers, which would entice more people to do care work, thus filling the gap in the number of care workers needed. Yet here we are, amidst an unprecedented workforce crisis. It’s time we shift our focus. What if we upgraded the jobs instead? We should invest holistically in a child care system that is affordable and sustainable for parents and care workers alike."

Striving for a just society where we address the needs of all, particularly single parents, requires concerted effort. The issues they face range from securing affordable housing, juggling work and parenting duties to seeking better career opportunities. 🏠💼🎓 One often-overlooked area is that of stable, affordable housing. This can create a cascading effect, challenging their ability to manage household expenses, access affordable childcare, and maintain balanced mental health. Does your organization understand these struggles? Are we doing enough to contribute to the solution? At CBA, our mission includes tackling this issue head-on and providing solutions. We assist single parents secure housing that not only addresses their financial constraints but also offers a nurturing environment for their children.👨👩👦👦🏠🌳 Simply put, raising awareness about their obstacles in securing decent housing can make a real difference. A like 👍, comment 💬, or follow ➕on our posts will help us reach more people. Does your corporation's CSR align with our vision? Let's unite forces! Connect with us through https://lnkd.in/gvSp_HKx and let’s build a better future, together. 🤝 #AffordableHousing #SingleParentsSupport #CommunityBuilders #ShreveportHousing #LouisianaCommunity #HousingForAll #CBAHousing #SupportSingleParents #CommunityDevelopment #

What are we going to do to make our children’s lives better other than just blame educators? NV again ranked 47th in the US in children’s well- being. Most people interpret that as just our education ranking, but it shows how much work we have to do in areas like children’s economic, health and family/community well-being. It’s all interconnected. # children #families # community # responsibility #ifitistobe

I have been reading up on the National Quality Standards as part of my study and found the following info particularly relevant not just to the early childhood space but also to working with children with a disability more broadly. Focusing on building partnerships with families and supporting them and their young person to develop self efficacy is going to provide better long term benefits for the entire family. Moving from a deficit to strengths based view of supporting children with a disability is key to ensuring better long term outcomes and more effective intervention strategies. Such a relevant concept in terms of NDIS and ensuring we do more earlier to support better outcomes for children and families across the board later in life! #earlychildhood #eci #earlychildhoodintervention #inclusiveeducation #familycollaboration #familypartnership #capacitybuilding #capacitysupport

Policy Equity Group understands the impact of accessible, affordable, and high-quality child care on families and their financial stability. This article highlights the urgent need for policy reform in early care and education— benefiting mothers and families of diverse backgrounds, and child care workers with young children: https://lnkd.in/gp2ZSyEt Our 🤔’s: Affordable Child Care: Families shouldn't have to choose between financial stability or economic mobility and their children's well-being. Policy initiatives must prioritize making child care more affordable for all families. Supporting Workforce Participation: Accessible child care options are essential for mothers to fully participate in the workforce. Flexible policies in the workplace can help parents go to work without worrying if their children have quality care. Investing in Early Educators: Recognizing the vital role of early childhood educators, including those in child care settings, we promote and design policies that support their professional development, fair compensation, and working conditions. #ChildCarePolicy #EarlyEducation #PolicyReform #ChildCareWorkforce #ECE