Councils want to hear from parents and carers about the long-term impacts of Covid-19 on the under-5s

Greater Manchester wants to understand the first-hand experiences of parents and carers of young children to help the ongoing recovery from Covid-19

Local authorities across Greater Manchester are working together to find out about the long-term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the under-5s.

With the cost of living rising for families with young children, Greater Manchester wants to hear from parents and carers to help understand what impact this is having on the learning and development of children under five years old, alongside the lasting impacts of the pandemic.

If you are a parent or carer of children under five years old, you have just under two weeks left to complete the survey being run by the 10 Greater Manchester councils and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

You can complete the survey online here

Recent studies have shown that the pandemic continues to impact on the development and wellbeing of young children and babies, as well as impacting on parental wellbeing due to the pressures of lockdowns and social distancing.

This is being exacerbated by the well-documented rising cost of living on essentials such as food, energy, and fuel and families with young children are especially impacted by this.

Greater Manchester wants to understand the first-hand experiences of parents and carers of young children to help the ongoing recovery from Covid-19 as well as the response to the rising cost of living.

This will help to put the right support in place to help.

Cllr Mark Hunter, GMCA Lead for Young People, said: “Greater Manchester wants every child to have the best start in life and start school ready to learn at age five.

“We know the pandemic has impacted on children and we want to make sure we put the right support in place.

“By completing this survey, your views will help to make sure young children, families and communities have the help and support they need to thrive.”

Parents and carers of those with children under five years have until next Friday (November 25) to visit: www.gmconsult.org and complete the survey.

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