Overview
This quality standard covers services to support the health, and social and emotional wellbeing of children under 5, including vulnerable children who may need extra support. It includes health visitor services, childcare and early years education, and early intervention services in children’s social care. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.
It does not cover clinical treatment, the role of child protection services or areas of national policy, such as free nursery places for children under 5.
Last reviewed: 11 August 2016
How to use NICE quality standards and how we develop them
Quality standards help you improve the quality of care you provide or commission. They apply in England and Wales (see the UK government website and Welsh government website). Decisions on how they apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland are made by ministers in the Scottish government and Northern Ireland Executive.
Find out how to use quality standards and how we develop them.
Endorsing bodies
This quality standard is endorsed by Department of Health and Social Care as required by the Health and Social Care Act (2012).
Supporting organisations
A number of organisations recognise the benefit of this quality standard in improving care. They work with us to promote it to commissioners and service providers: