Early Years system review
Design and improve early years strategies, services and systems that are equity-focused, evidence-informed and rooted in lived experience.
Childhood is Now because children's futures can't wait.
We work with local authorities, the NHS and the Voluntary Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector to co-create fairer, healthier early years systems — built on evidence, creativity and authentic collaboration.
20+
Years of individual senior experience
LA · NHS · VCFSE
Trusted across the system
Evidence-led
Rooted in lived experience
How we can help
Best Start in Life and Healthy Babies plans
Bring partners together across sectors to work collaboratively on developing a shared vision and outcomes for babies and young children.
Codesign and participation
Embed co-design and participation to ensure families and communities shape the decisions that affect them.
Evidence into action
Translate evidence into action, combining research, learnt and lived experience, data and practical, real-world delivery.
Every baby and child deserves the best childhood
At Childhood is Now, we believe that every child deserves the best start in life, and that means listening deeply, acting early and building creative solutions together that last.
We know that the everyday decisions made by local systems shape all children's earliest experiences, but the consequences of those decisions are felt most greatly by children growing up in underserved communities or challenging circumstances.
“Our mission is to work in partnership and combine evidence, creativity, and authentic collaboration to reduce inequalities and to deliver lasting impact for young children.”
Louise Harrington & Lucy Williams — Co-Founders
What we stand for
Equality First
Every baby and young child deserves a fair start.
We tackle inequalities by helping to design inclusive systems and programmes that prioritise those most at risk of being left behind.
Evidence that Matters
Proving and improving for real-world impact.
We are data-driven, combining lived and learned insights with research and data to create measurable, lasting change.
Connect and Collaborate
Breaking down silos to build stronger early years systems.
We bring together multi-sector partners with families and practitioners to co-create solutions that are practical, inclusive, and sustainable.
Listen to Young Voices
The voices of babies and young children bring unique perspectives.
We apply the principles of the Mosaic approach to better understand children's needs and perspectives, creatively informing local decisions.
From the news
October 2026
Coming soon
November 2026
Coming soon
December 2026
Coming soon
Let's build change that lasts
Whether you're from a local authority, the NHS, or a voluntary sector partner, we'd love to hear from you.