The manifesto outlines six priorities that it is lobbying for the next government to commit to. Early Years hosted candidates from each political party from Westminster at its Babies Day In launch day in Belfast this morning.
Early Years chief executive Siobhan Fitzpatrick said: "This election is an opportunity for our parties to prioritise investment in young children as the key to both future economic development and building an inclusive society."
Continued investment in the pre-school sector is highlighted in the manifesto as one key area, with calls for more hours of government-funded pre-school education per week, as is provided in England and Wales, compared to the 12.5 currently offered.
Greater encouragement for the role of the community and voluntary sector in the delivery of early years services is also on the agenda, as is securing more funding for Sure Start and flexible leave that allows mothers and fathers to share time off work.
The manifesto is also calling for the urgent release of the Northern Ireland 0-6 Strategy, something that the early years sector has been waiting on for some time.
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