Early Years

Reviews recent literature on how early years experiences may impact on life chances for different groups of the population. Life chances can cover a range of opportunities that people can experience as they become adults and into their later life. These opportunities include, for example, the likelihood of being in employment over individuals’ lifetimes, the chances of obtaining educational qualifications and the chances of good physical and mental health.

The Growing Up in Scotland study (GUS) is a longitudinal research project aimed at tracking the lives of a cohort of Scottish children from the early years, through childhood and beyond. Funded by the Scottish Executive Education Department, its principal aim is to provide information to support policy-making, but it is also intended to be a broader resource that can be drawn on by academics, voluntary sector organisations and other interested parties.

Policy makers are becoming increasingly concerned with the long term consequences of childhood experiences. This concern is fuelled by the belief that the early years of life are crucial in shaping later life. Catch them young and save society trouble later on, runs the argument. Kenan Malik asks whether policies towards young children are based on reliable scientific evidence or on political claims.

This podcast is taken from the 'GIRFEC: Childhood, Citizenship and Children's Services' Conference held in Glasgow on the 24-26 September. Welcome and Opening Remarks and Minister's Address - Mr Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years.

Report examining childcare and education provision for children below compulsory school age in England and assessing progress in improving accessibility, affordability and quality.

Listening to children is an integral part of understanding what they are feeling and what it is they need from their early years experience. Understanding listening in this way is key to providing an environment in which all children feel confident, safe and powerful, ensuring they have the time and space to express themselves in whatever form suits them. This resource refers to listeners as adults and looks specifically at listening to babies.

Report of an evaluation of the Young Children’s Voices Network (YCVN), a project, begun in 2006, which focuses on participation in the early years. The purpose of the evaluation was to analyse the nature of YCVNs and discover what has helped and hampered local authorities in developing both their network and a culture of listening.

Document describing a project with the goals of developing practitioners' skills in engaging with parents and forging stronger links between children's learning in early years settings and in the home environment. Methods used to achieve these aims included workshop-picnics promoting the principles of the Letters and Sounds approach.

Parents’ expectations and experiences of pregnancy, birth and the first few months of parenting are presented as part of the Growing Up in Scotland study (GUS) longitudinal research project aimed at tracking the lives of a cohort of Scottish children from the early years, through childhood and beyond.

Booklet identifying and describing the range of services available to families with children with disabilities in Scotland. The services cover early years, school, local authority services, play and leisure and health.