Enabling Young Children from Armed Forces Families to Thrive: Early years Evidence, Practice and Policy
This research project explores the experiences, needs and strengths of young children from Armed Forces families (Service children) aged 0–5, and the families and practitioners who support them across the UK. It addresses a significant gap in evidence, policy and practice relating to this under‑represented cohort at a critical stage of development. While many young Service children thrive, the research highlights how mobility, deployment and family separation can create distinctive challenges in the early years, particularly in relation to emotional wellbeing, development and access to support.
Commissioned by the Service Children’s Progression Alliance (SCiP Alliance) as part of the Thriving through Childhood and Beyond project and led by the Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC), this research was funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and delivered in partnership with the Naval Children’s Charity. The findings provide a UK‑wide evidence base drawn from existing literature, a rapid evidence review and new primary research with early years providers, parents and sector stakeholders across all four nations.
The report concludes with a clear framework for action, setting out priorities for early years practice alongside system‑level and policy recommendations. These focus on making young Service children visible in early years provision, supporting wellbeing and development, strengthening transitions, building practitioner confidence and training, and removing barriers to accessing early education and childcare. Together, these priorities form the foundation of the Thriving Lives Early Years Toolkit, supporting SCiP Alliance’s ambition to deliver a coherent, evidence‑led suite of resources for Service children and families from 0–25.
Enabling Young Children from Armed Forces Families to Thrive: Full Research Report
