Many parents in Wales feel overwhelmed, isolated, and unsure where to turn for help during the early years of raising a child, according to a new report from Public Health Wales. 

Best Start in Life: An Early Years Framework for Action, published today alongside a Parental Insights report, outlines a new approach to improving support for families with babies and young children. It brings together the expertise of early years professionals and the lived experiences of parents and carers to define what it means to give every child in Wales the best start in life and offers a clear, shared vision for how the early years system can bring it to life.  

The Framework clearly identifies the key components of an effective early years system and defines what good looks like in each area. Serving as a guiding light, it can support organizations, partnerships and national agencies in identifying, understanding and prioritsing the actions needed to build a stronger and more impactful early years system across Wales. It recognises that everyone has a role to play – from professionals and policymakers to communities and families themselves. With a shared commitment to its implementation, the Framework could reduce inequalities and help transform Wales’ ambitious policy goals into meaningful, lasting improvements for babies, young children and their families.  

Parents who contributed to the engagement described wanting clear, consistent advice, and services that feel connected rather than disjointed. Many said they felt judged or unsupported when reaching out for help. The reports also highlight the need for more joined-up, accessible and compassionate services that put families at the heart of early years support in Wales.