Our Early Childhood Lead Carey Oppenheim has been announced as one of eight experts who will be advising The Princess of Wales and the work of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
The centre was launched in 2021 by The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales with a mission to raise awareness of the importance of the first five years, and drive action to transform society for future generations.
The advisory group, which met for the first time today, will bring strategic advice and insight to the centre’s work to build positive futures for every child and highlight the importance of cementing the early years as a key child development stage which shapes the rest of our lives.
Carey has been appointed in recognition of her extensive policy and research experience supporting children and families at the Early Intervention Foundation, and within government.
The formative early years of a child’s life provide the crucial building blocks for their development and well-being. I’m looking forward to advising The Princess on how society can understand and respond to the challenges faced by our young children and their families, and how we can find solutions to ensure all under-fives have the best possible start in life.Carey Oppenheim, Early Childhood Lead
Beverley Barnett-Jones, Associate Director at the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, is also part of the advisory group.
Carey led the publication of a series of six reports by the Nuffield Foundation – The Changing Face of Early Childhood in Britain. The reports focus on the challenges faced by young children and their families and identify recommendations for an ambitious early years strategy, underpinned by a more holistic and joined-up approach to early years policy and services.
You can read the reports below.