Has the COVID-19 crisis disproportionately affected development in some children more than others?
Lockdowns during the pandemic had a significant impact on the ability of young children to mix with others outside of their immediate family, with many facilities and services closed.
Services that support families with young children were also affected, meaning that parents may have found it harder to access advice, and support services have been less able to put in place preventative or proactive measures where required.
What impact has this had on early years development?
The London Assembly Health Committee will meet tomorrow to discuss early childhood development during the pandemic and what action can be taken to mitigate the potentially harmful impacts.
The guests are:
Part 1 – The impact of the pandemic on early years development
- Joanne McCartney, Deputy Mayor for Children and Families
- Dr Tom Coffey OBE, Mayoral Health Advisor
- Vicky Hobart, GLA Group Director of Public Health and Deputy Statutory Health Advisor
- Sarah McMullen, Director of Impact and Engagement, National Childbirth Trust (NCT)
- Joe Lane, Head of Policy, Action for Children
Part 2 – The impact of the pandemic on early years support services
- Joanne McCartney, Deputy Mayor for Children and Families
- Vicky Hobart, GLA Group Director of Public Health and Deputy Statutory Health Advisor
- Sarah McMullen, Director of Impact and Engagement, NCT
- June O’Sullivan MBE, Chief Executive, London Early Years Foundation
- Joe Lane, Head of Policy, Action for Children
- Jonathan Broadbery, Director of Policy and Communications, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)
- Stella Ziolkowski, Director of Quality and Training, NDNA
The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 25 May from 2pm, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Full agenda papers.
- Krupesh Hirani AM, Chair of the Health Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Health Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more details, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.