Layla running

Shaping Us Campaign

Find out how our early childhood shapes the adults we become

Visit the Shaping Us campaign page

Guest Essay

Kinship care and the unseen children’s champions

You may not be familiar with the term, but kinship care is not new. There have always been grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings and family friends stepping up to raise children when their parents aren’t able to.

Read guest essay

Her Royal Highness with kinship carers

Our early childhoods, the time from pregnancy to five, fundamentally shape our whole lives. Through research, campaigns and collaboration we’re working to change the way we think and act on the early years so that together we can build a happier, healthier, more nurturing world. 


“The early years are not simply about how we raise our children. They are about the society we will become.”

— The Princess of Wales
Woman eating whilst man laughs
  • Woman eating whilst man laughs
  • Old affectionate couple have lunch outside
  • Girl comforting a friend indoors
  • men talking in a support group

How we work

1

Research

We believe the case for early childhood starts with science and data. We support, deliver and showcase high-quality research to shape our activity, to increase knowledge and to promote best practice.

2

Collaboration

We believe that tackling the toughest challenges in early childhood and achieving the biggest, long-term impact requires people coming together. We will collaborate with people from across the private, public and voluntary sectors and all walks of life to make positive change.

3

Creating change

We believe that to achieve transformative societal impact we all need to understand why early childhood matters and what we can do to make lasting change. We will raise awareness and inspire action through creative campaigns and activity.