MPs are calling on early years practitioners to submit evidence to an inquiry focusing on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

The Health and Social Care Committee is launching an inquiry into the period from a child’s conception to age two, widely recognised as a critical period for development which fundamentally shapes long-term health, wellbeing, and life outcomes. 

The inquiry will build on the findings of a previous Health and Social Care Committee report published in 2019, and aims to investigate whether progress has been made.

The cross-party committee, chaired by Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, will look at barriers to delivering high-quality early years services and how these barriers can be addressed, as well as disparities in infant health outcomes. The committee wants to hear from hear from parents, early years practitioners, health professionals, local government, charities and other stakeholders.

MPs will also consider what the government should prioritise in upcoming funding allocations for early years services. 

“There is overwhelming and unambiguous evidence on the crucial importance of the first 1,000 days of life in shaping children’s development and outcomes in later life,” said Moran.  “If the best conditions for healthy development are missing from a child’s life in the first 1,000 days, this can have significant impacts on their life chances, including their physical and mental health, their education, their work and their social and emotional well-being. Negative outcomes for children can also impact other areas of governmental responsibility, including the health service, the economy, and social stability.”  

Submissions to the call for evidence can be made on the Committee’s website until 11.59pm on Monday 21 April 2025.