This paper focuses on maternal andperinatal healthcare – the period from pregnancy to the first year after birth.
A mother’s own physical and mental health and wellbeing can affect a child’s physical and cognitive development. Adversity during pregnancy and the first years of life can predict adversity across generations. The Child Guarantee’s commitment to increased access to healthcare for children in need must also include universal access to quality healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth and the post-partum period, as prerequisites for maternal and child health and wellbeing.
Our Recommendations
EU Member States must:
- Include universal access to maternal, newborn and child healthcare and parent friendly care provisions in their Child Guarantee Action Plans
- Strive to achieve and provide Universal Health Coverage to all, as defined by the WHO, guaranteeing pre- and post-natal care for all women and children
- Education and Care services for children under the age of three
- Provide accurate and clear maternal health information, with a special focus onthe needs of migrant, Roma and other women in vulnerable situations
- Guarantee privacy of information about the migration status of pregnant womenand ensure that immigration status is not a barrier to accessing healthcare services
- Prioritise investment in easily accessible medical facilities, maternal supportprogrammes, and training of health professionals based on best practice
- Invest in maternal mental health services, including prevention, screening and support programme
Prioritising the professionalisation of early childhood education and care staff
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services for children under six years of age play a fundamental role in laying strong foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing, especially in the first three years of life. Quality ECEC services can make an extraordinary difference in children’s lives, especially for the most disadvantaged. Research indicates that children from vulnerable groups derive even greater benefit from high-quality ECEC than their peers from more advantaged families.
Our Recommendations:
- Promote the societal value of ECEC services and ECEC profession
- Establish a minimum standard of qualification accompanied by opportunities for career development for ECEC staff working with children under three years of age
- Track data on ECEC staff qualifications and define targets for the levels of qualification of ECEC staff working in ECEC services, especially those working with children under three years of age
Define aligned competence profiles across different categories of ECEC staff to ensure high-quality service provision - Implement policies and mechanisms that bring more diversity in the ECEC workforce (gender, cultural background, etc.)
- Increase investments for improving the ECEC staff working conditions (child-adult ratio, child-free time, renumeration, working environment)
