Childcare: Putting the needs of our children first.
Consistency, attention, time and love are key in a child’s development.
Mothers wish to be with their children, very young children are designed to be with their mothers. Yet nearly all government and party policies on the ‘family’ have focussed on separating mothers and infants at an earlier age and for much longer hours.
Growth of the economy, unburdening mothers from the shackles of care or plugging the family income gap have been the drivers for increasing subsidised third party childcare.
It is essential that we consider what children actually need to thrive.
MAHM campaigns for:
Childcare subsidy to follow the child with parents allowed to chose whether they use it to stay at home, give it to grandparents, childminder or external setting.
Taxation should fall fairly on those who stay at home and those who work.
Public examination on short and long term needs of children (and the effect on infants of long hours in external settings).
Recognition of value of unpaid care (estimated at £77 billion by Carers UK).
In an ever-changing world, children’s needs have not changed.
The child’s first port of call is its mother, particulary in the first weeks or months. By focusing public funds on external care and removing financial support from parents caring at home the ability for children to be cared for by their mothers has been made difficult. The needs of the child do not appear to be considered in this drive for subsidised childcare.
Mothers At Home Matter seeks to change this.
What People Are Saying.
“A child's experience in the first three years of life shape its future -out of all proportion to the rest of childhood. A secure primary attachment relationship has a protective effect on the developing brain. When a child's first 3 years are right, it brings huge benefits not just for the child but for the whole of society.”
— What About The Children?
“The decline of the mother at home and the addiction to being busy is a leading factor in the rise of depression and anxiety in our children. Could these hectic lifestyles be depriving young people of something they needs as much as oxygen; attention & time?”
— Esther Rantzen, Founder of Childline 2017
“The nature of a child’s first relationship, usually with the mother, is crucial, because it acts as a template that permanently moulds the capacity to enter into all later emotional relationships.”
— Allan Schore, Neuropsychologist www.wavetrust.org
Useful links.
Mothers Matter podcast
The Mothers Matter podcast is hosted by MAHM member, Claire Paye, in which you hear from mothers and experts about a wide range of topics that matter to mothers and their children.
In this episode, Erica Komisar, psychoanalyst, parent coach and author, explains the essential role mothers play in their children's first three years, and beyond and outlines the opportunity that the brain's development between ages nine and twenty-five presents.
WATCh?
What About the Children? is a registered research charity. A child's experience in the first three years of life shapes its future — out of all proportion to the rest of childhood. A secure primary attachment relationship is the main protective factor because of its impact on the developing brain and it brings huge benefits not just for the child but for the whole of society.
The First 1001 Days Movement
This group of professionals and policy makers support change by inspiring, supporting and challenging decision makers to value and invest in babies' emotional wellbeing and development. MAHM seeks to be one of those voices by reminding them of the child’s need for its mother.
The Duchess of Cambridge
The Duchess of Cambridge and The Royal Foundation have brought academics, practitioners and charities together to develop a significant new body of work that will ultimately support all efforts to provide children with the best possible start in life.
The MAHMifesto.
Mothers at Home Matter is the voice for the many mothers who want to be at home to bring up their children yet who are so rarely represented in public debate or in policy circles. This leaflet outlines our aims and campaigns.
Further research articles.
Support for Early Years and Childcare (MAHM)
MAHM’s submission to the government’s Call for Evidence, January 2023, relating to support for early years and childcare.
Early Years Commission (MAHM)
MAHM’s submission to the CSJ and Fabian Early Years Commission, June 2020. We outline the importance of the mother as primary caregiver along with relevant scientific research and how best to support mothers in this choice.
Early Years Commission (WATCh)
WATCh’s submission to the CSJ Early Years Cross Party Commission, June 2020. There is a raft of scientific studies that clearly show the crucial significance of an infant’s life, from conception through the first 30-36 months.
Mothering hardwires infant brain.
A mother’s presence and social interactions — her nurturing role — directly moulds the early neural activity and growth of her offspring’s brain.
An inconvenient truth.
Government should be brave enough to take a serious look at the long-term consequences of our country’s ever increasing depence on institutionalised care for under threes. By Claire Paye.
Supporting your child’s wellbeing.
Children value what they learn outside of school just as much as what they learn during term time. This document from the Children’s Society focuses on supporting children’s wellbeing by looking at role models, families and friendships.
The Importance of Attachment.
An informative short video by Dr Schore that demonstrates how the young brain is developed and the importance of its relationship with the primary caregiver and other close attachment relationships.
Long term effects of early care.
A study has found that sensitive caregiving in the first three years of life predicts an individual’s social competence and academic achievement, not only during childhood and adolescence, but into adulthood.
How Brains are Built.
An animated video about how brains are ‘built’, by Albert Family Wellness and partners.
Cause for concern?
Many small children in nurseries have persistently raised cortisol levels, indicating emotional stress. A look at the long term physical implications in changes to child rearing and bonding.
The cost of love.
The financial consequences of insecure attachment in antisocial youth. Society would benefit from taking a public health approach to promoting good-quality caregiving to improve the wellbeing of children and young people and reduce their cost on society.
Treasury Childcare Committee.
Claire Paye’s submission to the Childcare Committee argues that the Government’s £6bn childcare fund is not a good use of money. It does not remove discrimination in the tax system so that parents can care for their children at home if they choose to. Long hours in childcare also have a negative effect on children’s mental health, causing the Government further expense in the long run.