Collaboration
We believe that tackling society’s greatest issues can only happen by bringing people together to inspire action and impact. We’re collaborating with people from across the private, public and voluntary sectors, and from all walks of life, to bring about sustainable change.
We work with numerous patronages, policy and research institutions, charities, early years professionals and members of the public, who share in our mission and actively contribute to the evolution of our work.
Our ambitious goal of transforming society through early childhood will not be achieved by any one person or organisation alone – it will depend on all of us.
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University generates, translates and applies scientific knowledge to close the gap between what we know and what we do to improve the lives of children facing adversity. Members of the Center Leadership Team regularly provide expert advice on early childhood science, policy and practice and played an important role in the publication of our founding report, Big Change Starts Small.
Centre Advisory Group
In 2023, an Advisory Group of eight experts was formed to offer strategic advice to The Princess of Wales and provide oversight of the work of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
The Advisory Group members have deep expertise in a range of areas including neuroscience, psychology, perinatal psychiatry, early years services and policy development. The group will support the delivery of the Centre’s work in commissioning new research, learning from best practice in the UK and globally, and raising awareness of the extraordinary impact the first five years of life have on future outcomes.
Working across the sector
In June 2022 we brought together Ministers and senior civil servants from a number of key government departments, along with early years expert representatives, to discuss the broader importance of early childhood development to society.
This led to the establishment of a permanent working group which now meets regularly and acts as a unified platform for idea exchange and increased collaboration across the relevant Government departments and the charity sector.
Anna Freud Centre
The Anna Freud Centre is working to transform mental health provision in the UK for children and families. Their team provide ongoing advisory support to The Centre for Early Childhood and play an important role in shaping the selection of resources and further reading which can be found throughout our website. Professor Peter Fonagy, Chief Executive of the Anna Freud Centre, also sits as a member of our Advisory Group.
Baby Banks
Covid-19 presented a unique challenge for families, who were particularly affected by isolation, service closures and the emotional and financial impact of the pandemic. To help support the most vulnerable families in the UK, we brought together nineteen British brands and retailers to donate over 10,000 new items to more than 40 baby banks nationwide. This collaboration has had a lasting legacy, with many of the corporate organisations involved continuing to support Baby Banks as they evolve to meet changing demands.
Tiny Happy People
The Princess of Wales was proud to collaborate with the BBC on the development and launch of Tiny Happy People, a BBC Education initiative providing a range of free digital resources designed to support parents and carers in developing children’s language from pregnancy to the age of five.
“There has never been a more important time to support the early years, to help make sure that every child has the best start in life. The BBC is proud to be part of a coalition of organisations addressing this issue alongside the Centre for Early Childhood."