The Duchess of Cambridge launches a landmark survey on early childhood

Conducted by The Royal Foundation, the survey aims to spark the biggest ever conversation on early childhood that will ultimately help bring about positive, lasting change for generations to come. 

You can take part in the survey here:

The launch of the survey follows eight years of work by The Duchess of Cambridge in which she has explored how experiences in early childhood often lie at the root of the hardest social challenges the country faces today. What we experience in the earliest years – from in the womb to the age of five – is instrumental in shaping our future lives. Her Royal Highness has spent time meeting with families across the country and hearing about the issues they deal with day-to-day, in addition to speaking with academics, experts, organisations and practitioners. In May 2018, The Duchess convened a steering group of experts to focus on how to bring about positive, lasting change in this area. 

The Duchess kickstarted the launch of the survey during a visit to MiniBrum at Thinktank where she was shown around the interactive, child-sized mini-city by children who helped design the space and spoke to parents and carers about the survey. 

The launch was followed by countrywide visits to early years organisations, including a baby sensory class at the Ely and Careau Children’s Centre where she heard about the support that parents receive. 

Finally, Her Royal Highness learnt more about the considerable effect that experiences in the early years can have on the rest of a child’s life. At HMP Send, she spoke to some of the women she met during a visit to the prison in 2015, who have since been successfully rehabilitated, released and are rebuilding their families, in addition to women currently at the prison. 

The Duchess heard about the work that the Forward Trust do at HMP Send in supporting clients to improve their relationships with friends and family, including reconnecting with children.