The Lifestart mission is underpinned by the following core understandings and values:

The developmental period from birth to five is crucial to the child’s capacity to develop and learn - physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially. Supportive intervention best begins as soon as a child is born and best continues throughout those early years.

Parents (or those who parent), are the prime educators and have the most important influence on a child’s development. Lifestart concentrates on enabling parents to develop their role to the fullest.

The home is the primary environment for education and development. The Lifestart Programme is offered in the home which is acknowledged as being the most natural and most immediate focus for good nurture.

Lifestart is a promotional programme and is directed at primary prevention, that is, it assumes a supportive role so that appropriate development can occur and the cycle of disadvantage is addressed.

The Lifestart programme is comprehensive and community based and contributes to the development of all sectors of the community.

Lifestart is respectful of the culture and language of the community. These are considered to be two crucial and influential factors in the development of family and community discourse about child rearing.

Lifestart is a curriculum-based programme. It consists of age appropriate information on all aspects of child development. Delivery of the curriculum and programme is organised by means of a deliberative process of family visitation and cluster meetings, and via procedures whereby parents are encouraged and enabled to evaluate their attitudes and practices.

The Lifestart programme is parent directed and child centred in its structure, training and delivery.

Lifestart co-operates with other agencies and initiatives that work to develop and provide early years and family support provision.

Lifestart works on a cross-border, cross-community and cross-cultural basis.