New learning network for improving children and babies’ mental health launched for early years practitioners

Early Years in Mind is a free online learning network for early years practitioners which provides easy-to-read guidance on supporting the mental health of babies, young children and their families.
The network aims to:

It will be targeted at early years workers from across the sector - from nursery and childcare workers, to local authority and NHS staff who are working in a range of health, community and family settings.

Camilla Rosan, head of the early years programme at the Anna Freud Centre said, ‘Babies and children come with a range of different experiences, challenges and mental health needs. Early years in Mind will offer easy to follow advice on how to support children’s mental health needs generally, and also their social and emotional development. But it will also offer tools and strategies on how they can approach some of the more specific needs and circumstances that are currently encountered by many families.’

She added, ‘We feel there’s a real need for this learning network. The early years are the most important in terms of a child’s development, but in terms of mental health, this area receives a pretty low level of attention and investment.’

As it develops Early Years in Mind will provide free training modules and learning resources for early years workers, along with evidence-based information provided by experts in the early years field.
The network will also offer early years workers guidance relating to the following: