First 5

In terms of policy context, a new flagship strategy for the early years, called First 5

was introduced to cover a ten-year term from 2019 to 2028. It is described as a

“whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and

their families”.6 Its “big steps” ambitions are:

•Access to a broader range of options for parents to balance working and caring

•A model of parenting support

•New developments in child health

•Reform of the Early Learning and Care system

•A package of measures to tackle early childhood poverty

6https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/5d81e-about-first5/?referrer=https://first5.gov.ie/

The First 5 strategy also lists the four main goals against which progress will be

assessed as:

A.Strong and supportive families and communities

B.Optimum physical and mental health

C.Positive play-based early learning

D.An effective early childhood system

Young Ireland