According to Dr Lala Manners, director of Active Matters, who is behind the petition, there is no coherent or comprehensive approach by the Government’s Healtn and Education departments to address the ‘inexorable rise’ in preventable health conditions or ensure children start school ready and able to learn.
She said, ‘Enough money, time and effort has been wasted over many years – skirting around the edges. All the while children are getting fatter and more miserable, their teeth are rotting and they arrive at school completely unable to sit still, concentrate or manage their personal hygiene.
‘Free childcare, new playgrounds and yet another "activity initiative" are all useless if not fully supported by quality staff and standards that can be enforced and assessed.’
To ensure all children get the best start in life, the petition calls upon the children and families minister Edward Timpson and childcare and education minister Sam Gyimah to implement a fully integrated early years action plan, covering health, education, physical development, media, food and beverages – labelling in particular – and other educational products.
The petition, which so far has 41 signatures and is open to all those who work with or who impact on young children’s lives, goes on to suggest what should feature within the action plan, including:
- A requirement for all children to receive a comprehensive assessment of their physical abilities on entry to nursery and school;
- For physical activities to be designed and delivered in a setting by a Level 2/3 early years/physical development practitioner, who implements the forthcoming National Quality Standards for Early Years physical activity and development – being drawn up by Public Health England;
- For Government funding to be made available for Level 3 early years/physical development staff training;
- The creation of a fully integrated early years/physical development Code of Practice, drawn up and support by Ofsted, the DfE and DoH, which communications/media and manufacturing industries will have to comply with.
