The launch is part of Catherine's long-running early years campaign, which began in 2021, according to major media reports. On May 6, 2026, the Princess of Wales visited the University of East London's Institute for the Science of Early Years and Youth, where she participated in the 'Imaginarium' sensory room, interacting with a three-year-old child and her mother, major media reports say. During the visit, she met with families and discussed challenges of parenting in the digital age, including the influx of research and social media influence, according to major media reports.
The Princess has spent over a decade looking into how early childhood experiences are root causes of social challenges like addiction, family breakdown, poor mental health, suicide, and homelessness, major media reports indicate. What we experience from conception to age five shapes the developing brain, making positive physical, emotional, and cognitive development crucial, according to major media reports. She also spent time with families with babies and young children before the university visit, and heard about how the Centre's resources are being used in teaching social and emotional development in early years courses, major media reports say.
Jody Windsor, a primary schoolteacher in London, said the initiative reflects issues many educators witness daily inside classrooms.
Major media reports indicate that Catherine is expected to travel to Reggio Emilia in northern Italy for a two-day solo working visit next week, which will explore internationally recognised approaches to child development and emotional learning. Research shows that differences in development amongst racialised young children are likely due to related factors like increased risk of poverty and discrimination, rather than ethnicity being a direct driver, according to major media reports. Some measures of social and emotional development may not allow children from different cultures, neurodivergent children, or those with language delays to demonstrate their full capabilities, major media reports say.
Risk factors have a detrimental impact on development, while protective factors promote good development or mitigate risks, according to major media reports. The impact of any factor on development depends on interaction with context, severity, age of the child, and level of exposure, major media reports indicate. The impact of risk or protective factors is often cumulative, with likelihood of harm rising sharply as risks accumulate, according to major media reports.
Jody Windsor strongly supports Princess Catherine's new initiative and the wider work of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
Children do not respond uniformly to the same experiences due to factors like genetic predispositions or protective factors such as strong relationships, major media reports say. Some children are biologically more sensitive to external influences, known as susceptibility, and their wellbeing is disproportionately affected by both positive and negative factors, according to major media reports. The impact of an external event depends on how the child experiences it physically and psychologically; a caring relationship can reduce long-term effects of adverse events, major media reports indicate.
Children need adults who provide consistent, nurturing care, noticing and responding sensitively to their needs and interests, according to major media reports. The guide offers research-backed guidance to support emotional regulation, communication skills, and secure relationships, according to major media reports. Many professionals have praised the initiative's focus on prevention and emotional resilience, major media reports say, though some professionals stressed that long-term progress will require wider systemic support and sustained investment in early years services across the UK.
Jody Windsor sees daily how a child's ability to regulate emotions, build relationships, and develop resilience shapes learning outcomes and wellbeing.
According to Daily Express - Royal, primary schoolteacher Jody Windsor described the initiative as reflecting issues many educators witness daily inside classrooms, and expressed strong support for the Princess's work. Windsor also noted that she sees daily how a child's ability to regulate emotions, build relationships, and develop resilience shapes learning outcomes and wellbeing, and that there is growing awareness around how critical the early years are. She added that initiatives like this help bring conversations about early years into the mainstream, and that having Princess Catherine championing this work will raise awareness among professionals and families.
Windsor believes the initiative has the potential to make a genuinely positive impact by helping more people understand the importance of emotional development and early support. org, Professor Amanda Broderick, vice-chancellor of the University of East London, described the Princess's focus as palpable and not performative. Professor Sam Wass noted that the Princess was keen to learn and disseminate knowledge, asking lots of specific questions and being interested in the boundaries of scientific knowledge.
There is growing awareness around how critical the early years are in a child's long-term development.
The Princess of Wales established the Business Taskforce for Early Childhood in March 2023 with eight leading UK businesses to catalyse change, according to major media reports. In 2024, the Business Taskforce published a report setting out the business case for prioritising early childhood and identifying five areas for business impact, major media reports say. In 2020, The Royal Foundation commissioned Ipsos MORI to conduct the '5 Big Questions' research study on UK views about under-fives, according to major media reports.
Foundations for Life was developed alongside early years experts, professionals, and practitioners, grounded in scientific research and practical insight, major media reports indicate. The guide highlights the critical role of loving, responsive relationships in shaping children's lifelong health, wellbeing, and ability to thrive, according to major media reports. It has been published on the Centre for Early Childhood's new online resource hub, which brings together evidence-based resources for professionals, major media reports say.
Initiatives like this help bring conversations about early years into the mainstream.
The publication coincides with new research from the Centre, 'The First Five Years: A Parent Perspective', showing parents value opportunities to speak with trusted practitioners and want clear, authoritative information, according to major media reports. When professional support is limited, many parents turn to friends, family, or online advice, often feeling overwhelmed by the volume of information, major media reports indicate. The Centre aims to ensure social and emotional development is recognised as foundational alongside physical and cognitive development, according to major media reports.
The specific practical advice within the guide has not been detailed, and it remains unclear how it will be distributed and promoted to reach its target audience. The specific findings of the new research 'The First Five Years: A Parent Perspective' have not been fully disclosed, and the timeline and scope of the Princess's upcoming visit to Reggio Emilia have not been confirmed. How professionals and the public plan to integrate the guide into existing early years services and support systems is yet to be seen.
Having Princess Catherine championing this work will raise awareness among professionals and families.
The initiative has the potential to make a genuinely positive impact by helping more people understand the importance of emotional development and early support.
Professor Amanda Broderick, the university's vice-chancellor, said the Princess's focus was palpable and not performative.