Kate Middleton visits south London nursery on mission to help improve early childhood

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Robert Jobson29 January 2020

The Duchess of Cambridge today took her mission to help improve early childhood to a London nursery as she revealed 100,000 have already signed up to her landmark UK-wide survey.

Kate spoke during a breakfast visit to Stockwell Gardens Nursery and Pre-school, part of the London Early Years Foundation, where she met staff to discuss the survey ‘5 Big Questions on the Under Fives’.

She launched the survey last week, aiming to spark a national conversation on raising the next generation.

The duchess, who has devoted eight years to the project, said: “It’s great to visit places like this where communities come together to support one another.

“Last week I launched a UK wide survey on early childhood because I want to hear society’s views about raising the next generation.

“I’m so happy that over 100,000 people from all across the UK have already completed it, and I can’t wait to see the results.”

During the visit, the duchess was told about the importance of nutritious food for a child’s development from apprentices at the LEYF Early Years Chef Academy.

The Duchess of Cambridge at the London Early Years Foundation Stockwell Gardens Nursery and Pre-school
PA

She also joined nursery teachers in serving breakfast to the children.

LEYF Early Years Chef Academy offers a specialist qualification for chefs either working or keen to work with children up to the age of eight.

During the visit, the duchess was told about the importance of nutritious food
PA

Kate launched the survey last week during visits to MiniBrum at ThinkTank, Birmingham Science Museum; Ely and Careau Children’s Centre in Cardiff and HMP Send near Woking.

The five-question online survey aims to "spark a national conversation" to help create "lasting change for generations to come", Kensington Palace has said.

Kate meets some of the children at the pre-school in London
Getty Images

Kate and William have three children - six-year-old Prince George, four-year-old Princess Charlotte, and 21-month-old Prince Louis.

She has said she believes “many of society's greatest social and health challenges” could be “mitigated or entirely avoided” if young children are given "the right support”.

Kate launched the survey last week
PA

The NSPCC and Save the Children have backed the project.

Kate Stanley, from the NSPCC, says the duchess's survey will provide fascinating insight into how we think about the early years and it will be a vital source of information for the sector.

The duchess plays with children at the pre-school
PA

She said the results of the survey would help inform “the kind of conversation we need to have” with parents about the importance of a child's early years.

Kayte Lawton, from the charity Save the Children, has also welcomed the survey and said it was “vital” that all children are given access to “high-quality services”.

Ipsos Mori is conducting the survey, will be open until February 21, on behalf of the Royal Foundation. You can take part at 5bigquestions.org.uk/

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