Today (31 January 2023) The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has launched a major campaign to raise awareness of the importance of the first five years of childhood. 

The campaign, titled “Shaping Us” is spearheaded by the Princess of Wales and aims to improve public perceptions of early childhood and raise awareness of how early experiences can shape future life outcomes.  

The Princess of Wales said: “…By focusing our collective time, energy, and resources to build a supportive, nurturing world around the youngest members of our society and those caring for them, we can make a huge difference to the health and happiness of generations to come.” 

 The campaign film is available to watch on YouTube.  

Make sure you are following The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and PACEY on Twitter and join the conversation using the campaign hashtag #ShapingUs (you can also use #EarlyChildhood and #EarlyYears alongside this).  

Helen Donohoe, Chief Executive at PACEY comments: 

“PACEY is delighted to support the launch of the Royal Foundation’s important new campaign, highlighting the often-unrecognised impacts that early childhood has on future life outcomes.  

“We know the crucial role the childminders, nurseries, pre-schools and nannies that make up our membership play in the first five years of a child’s life, but it is vital that we see government implement long term policies and strategies and adequate investment to help them continue to do so.   

“We thank the Princess of Wales for her dedication to the early years which has sparked a national conversation about the importance of the first years of life. We are hopeful that by working collectively we will start to see real positive change for children, families and the wider early years sector, at a time when it is never more needed.”