Lifestart’s goal is to achieve a society in which:

• All children enjoy their childhood, develop their full potential through play and interaction, have an equal chance within the education system and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
• The needs and rights of children from birth to five and their parents are fully recognised and prioritised in mainstream Government policies and programmes and properly resourced.
• Early Years education includes children from birth and recognises the home as an important site of learning.
• Home-based programmes for parents of children birth to five years are openly available to all parents.
• There are formal, structured links between Departments of Education and Departments of Health and Social Development so that the care and education of children are addressed jointly in the first five years of children’s lives.