Filter by topic
Filter by content type
  1. Home
  2. Key topics

Strong foundations: Our campaign to improve health in the early years

The early years of a child’s life provide the foundation for their health, development and long‑term outcomes. We're calling for strengthened health services that support babies, young children and their families.
Icon: Megaphone

Read about our 'Strong foundations' campaign, launched in May 2026

Paediatricians across the UK too often see critical chances to give every child a strong foundation for a healthy life missed. Our campaign calls for strengthened health services that support babies, young children and their families.

Read about the campaign
Icon: Speech bubbles

Share your experiences and insights in our early years survey

If you're a member, you can help shape our 'Strong foundations' campaign by completing our short survey. Tell us what challenges you experience in the early years health services and the change you want to see.

Take the survey
Icon - dynamic child from RCPCH logo

Vaccinations

Childhood immunisation is one of the most effective ways to protect health in the early years and prevent avoidable illness later in life. However, vaccination uptake is falling, with widening inequalities linked to deprivation and access to services.
Our work to increase vaccination uptake
Icon - dynamic child from RCPCH logo

Community health services

These services provide vital support for babies and young children but are under increasing pressure with long waits, inconsistent provision and workforce pressures.
Our work on community health services
Icon - dynamic child from RCPCH logo

Child health workforce

A strong early years system requires a joined up and well supported child health workforce. We outline recommendations to support the paediatric workforce in England.
Our briefing on the child health workforce

Further College work on early years

Global child health: supporting neonatal care and early childhood development
RSV vaccination: campaigning for immunisation to protect infants
Screen time and online harms: informing conversations with families
Screen time and usage in the early years: our consultation response
National Neonatal Audit Programme: improving care

Related news

More news