The sector would do well to explore this idea further if we're really to get the best for our children, so they go on to lead happy productive lives.
No one would argue that the foundation years are not vitally important for childhood development. However, as a parent, family outreach worker and social policy campaigner, I have long felt concerned that the government may be over-estimating what can be achieved through its brand of support focused on this increasingly short period before primary school.
As Ghosh says, for some children "the risk factors will not emerge until a later stage, perhaps having sailed through the early years". We need to safeguard youth services, the middle school years and a continuum of services through to adulthood. We need more work experience for teenagers and partnerships between industry and schools.
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