1-2-3-4-5: The magic numbers for economic improvement

Many of societyís most intractable social problems - crime, drugs misuse, unemployment, poor skills and endemic unhappiness - are rooted in the experiences of children during their first five years of life.

This is the primary conclusion of a major investigation into the economic and social impact of parenting during childrenís early years development published today by The Work Foundation. It argues there is a compelling economic case for investing in high quality early years programmes that help parents become better parents.

íTraditionally education has been seen as the key to social mobility, says Alan Sinclair, the reportís author. ëIf so, it is the education we receive before we get anywhere near a school. What happens in the early years shapes the life people have as adults.

ëBy the age of three 50 per cent of our language is in place - and exactly the same goes for behaviour. Interfere with development during this critical period through exposure to drugs, alcohol, smoking, poor diet, stress, violence, and family turbulence and todayís baby emerges predisposed to turn into tomorrowís disadvantaged child. As night follows day, without intervention, they are highly likely to grow into the least healthy, poorly educated adults who live their lives in and out of employment - if not prison.í

The study argues that research in psychology, biology and neuroscience all point in the same direction: the early years mould the entire experience of life. There is a strong association between the kind of love or neglect received in childhood and the kind of life people lead as an adult.

Yet despite the compelling case for investing heavily in early years, society devotes relatively few resources to helping parents cope with their responsibilities.

ëWe have a topsy-turvy investment strategy,í says Alan Sinclair. ëWe invest most of our resources where it will do least good - in the later years of education and in particular on graduates. By contrast, in years 0-5, where the best research indicates the return on investment is likely to be highest, we invest the least.í

Early family environments are major predictors of cognitive and behavioural abilities, and a significant contributor to inequalities in performance, the study argues. By investing more in early years services, especially in parental support and community-based day-care, disadvantaged children are likely to be the principal beneficiaries - saving public money over the longer term, it claims.

Investment in targeted, high-quality early year development provides a payback of four to five times the initial investment by the time a young person reaches their early twenties, according to US research into pre-school programmes. In addition, there are measurable and lasting benefits in terms of social skills, behaviour and motivation.

In Britain, while Sure Start has marked a fundamental shift in early years policy, the paper calls for a major expansion of the programme. Sure Start is a vital first step, but needs refocusing on parenting skills and norms, the study says.

The paper recommends:

Parenting support and day care for up to half the population with young children should be available, targeted at the least advantaged. Extra funds are likely to be needed. But an examination of funding priorities and returns on investment from existing allocations to education, health, local authorities and the police and criminal justice services should also be undertaken.

In addition to screening for health risks during pregnancy as a matter of course, screening for social risks should also be offered to all pregnant women. The service should be conducted in such a way as to build trust and confidence.

In Scotland, a ten-year early year strategy similar to that which exists in England is needed. A commitment would also be needed that Sure Start money will be spent as intended.

Alan Sinclair adds: íWe devote vast resources to picking up the pieces when things go wrong. The consequences are to be seen in violence, poor health, low skills, and low quality of life.

ëThe big prize to be won from improving parenting and providing enriched day-care is a dramatic improvement in behaviour, the development of a more competent and productive workforce and greater wellbeing.í