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Cwm Taf Morgannwg Baby and Toddler Voice

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Cwm Taf Morgannwg Baby and Toddler Voice logo The period before I am born until I am aged two, is important for my development. My experiences, environment and, particularly, the connections I have with people who care for me will influence my future relationships, behaviour, learning and emotional well-being across my lifetime. i

It is important that you see me as my own person with feelings, rights and preferences. I rely on you to consider my views and interpret what I am trying to tell you, so I am central to each decision that affects me and keeps me safe and secure. ii

To help me be happy, healthy and safe, it is important that everyone is aware of their responsibilities to consider my rights, as well as the rights of all children in decisions that affect them. Parents and over 120 staff working with little ones like me, considered my rights as set out in the UNCRCiii and used my voice to draft these expectations at several Task and Finish Groups orchestrated by the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Early Years Transformation Programme, Children in Wales and Parent Infant Foundation.

I need…

  • I need to be kept clean, warm and have healthy food and shelter to grow and thrive. UNCRC Articles which support statement 6 and 27
  • I need you to understand that I depend on you to keep me close (physically and in mind); to see me, respond to me and take time to get to know me. UNCRC Articles which support statement 3
  • I need you to understand how I communicate, learn my cues and to consistently respond in a warm and loving way. UNCRC Articles which support statement 12
  • I need you to understand that my experiences now will impact my future. UNCRC Articles which support statement 3 and 6
  • I need you to remember that I’m my own person: allow me to be me and consider me in all the decisions you make. UNCRC Articles which support statement 3, 8 and 29
  • I need a safe place to play and learn, to have fun and to feel happy; help me feel safe and protected from things I find scary. UNCRC Articles which support statement 19, 29 and 31
  • I need opportunities to interact with others and learn from new experiences. UNCRC Articles which support statement 2
  • I need you to help me develop connections with (other babies) friends, family and my community. UNCRC Articles which support statement 6, 8 and 15

I need my trusted grown-up...

  • I need my trusted grown-up to understand the importance of safe and caring relationships now, as well as in the future.
  • I need my trusted grown-up to look after my, and their health before, during and after my arrival, and to reach out for help if things are not right.
  • I need my trusted grown-up to understand and respond to my unique needs.
  • I need my trusted grown-up to have help and information in the right way, at the right time, and in the right place so they can make the best choices for me.

We need...

  • We need access to good and affordable public transport so I can be taken to interesting places and to get the help and support we need. UNCRC Articles which support statement 2
  • We need safe pathways and routes to access clean and green public spaces. UNCRC Articles which support statement 19 and 24
  • We need important people to understand how vital my early years are for me to reach my full potential, and reflect this in all documents related to me and little ones. UNCRC Articles which support statement 6 and 24

 

i Parent Infant Foundation (2024) The First 1001 Days Evidence Brief Series: https://parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/1001-days/resources/evidence-briefs/

ii Infant Pledge. Voice of the Infant: best practice guidelines and infant pledge - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

iii United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC): UN Convention on the Rights of the Child - UNICEF UK

**We acknowledge that the baby’s main caregiver may not be their biological parent but for the purposes of this resource we will use the term ‘trusted grown-up’.

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