Princess Kate's 'life's work' project for young children hits major milestone
The Princess of Wales ' 'business taskforce' working to better the lives of young children is said to have reached 500,000 youngsters in the last year.
Firms from Deloitte to LEGO have taken part, investing in schemes including funding training for 1,300 'early years' teachers to raising parent leave after birth for all parents to 26 weeks full pay.
Catherine's Royal Foundation-led initiative is one of the major corner stones of her public work and something she has taken a key interest in, even through her cancer treatment last year.
It is based on widespread research which shows that what happens to children between the ages of birth to five is not only formative but can have huge effect on their behaviour and emotions as adults, even leading to anti-social behaviour and addiction.
Eight major firms have joined the taskforce, which was launched in 2023, to 'support families and create a happier, healthier society'.
One year on from their first major report, which set out why businesses should invest in early childhood, it has been revealed that the effect has already been 'varied and vast'.
The LEGO Group has donated Build Me 'Emotions' sets to early years providers across every corner of the UK, while Co-op has created a dedicated early childhood fund and already supported more than 130 early years apprentices.
In November 2023 she met Grayson Stevenson (centre), 5, and his dad, Mark Stevenson (left), during a visit to 'Dadvengers', a community for dads and their children, in Arnos Grove, north London, as part of her Shaping Us campaign on early childhood
Meanwhile IKEA has partnered with local baby banks to donate essentials and launched a product range raising money for the Baby Bank Alliance.
NatWest has increased its lending capacity for early years settings and produced tools to support nurseries to operate in a more sustainable way, with a target of £250 million.
Financial services giant Deloitte has funded more than 1300 early years teachers to undertake crucial qualifications and changed its parental policies to give all parents 26 weeks full pay.
Iceland helped 30,000 staff better support young families and launched a range of toddler meals with Mumsnet, which raise money for Alder Hey Hospital and aim to support healthy eating.
The princess' Centre for Early Years at Kensington Palace say these projects combined have a potential reach of more than half a million babies and young children.
The princess' Centre for Early Years at Kensington Palace say these projects combined have a potential reach of more than half a million babies and young children. Above, Catherine during a visit toa children's hospice based in Sully, near Cardiff
Sir Ron Kalifa, Chair of the Taskforce, said: 'Businesses of every shape and size – from high-street shops to global enterprises – hold unique and powerful touchpoints: as employers, as providers of goods and services, and as pillars of the communities they proudly serve. These roles aren't just business functions – they're incredible platforms for meaningful action.
'At The Royal Foundation, we are deeply proud that over the past year, members of our taskforce have shown such strong leadership and risen to this challenge. Their efforts have made a real, tangible difference in the lives of countless families with young children.
'And this is only the beginning of what's possible. The road ahead is bursting with potential.'
Catherine has long made clear that the initiative is a 'lifelong' commitment for her and has previously explained that the years up to the age of five are the 'building blocks for life'.
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