Princess of Wales commissions new work exploring the role of nature in early childhood

The Princess of Wales has commissioned a new work exploring nature’s role in early childhood.

Childhood is a time of wonder, curiosity and discovery.

Today, The Princess of Wales has commissioned @Earlychildhood to take forward new work examining how nature can support the healthy development of babies and young children, with a new programme set to launch next year.

Supported by founding partner The Duchy of Cornwall, the work will explore how nature, creativity and relationships can help nurture the social and emotional skills that underpin lifelong health and wellbeing. 🌳

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 16, 2026

The Princess visited Cornwall yesterday to learn more about the potential of nature-based learning in the earliest years of life. At the same time, she announced a new project from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, working with The Duchy of Cornwall as a founding partner.

The Centre for Early Childhood, working alongside several partners, will explore how nature-rich environments and nurturing relationships can help babies and young children build core social and emotional skills.

New polling commissioned by the Centre for Early Childhood shows that 84% of parents agree that spending time in nature supports their child’s wellbeing and development. In comparison, only 33% report their child spends time in nature every day. 62% want their child to spend more time in nature overall, and 56% want more nature-based experiences through childcare and education.

Welcoming the new project, Dr Nicola Kemp, Director of Insight and Impact at The Froebel Trust, said, “A growing body of evidence shows that regular contact with nature can support children’s development in many ways, helping to foster curiosity, creativity, emotional wellbeing and social connection. Childhood provides a particularly important opportunity to develop these
connections. Bringing together expertise from early childhood development and environmental science presents an exciting opportunity to better understand how the benefits of a relational nature-based approach can be embedded in children’s everyday experiences from the very start of life.”

Christian Guy, Executive Director of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, said, “The Princess has long championed the importance of the earliest years and the environments in which children grow, play and learn as a golden opportunity to create a healthier, happier society for future generations. Through her work over a number of years, Her Royal Highness has explored how relationships, creativity and our connection to the natural world help create the conditions for people to flourish. Through visits and engagements in the UK and internationally, including in Scandinavia and more recently Italy, the Princess has worked with leading experts and practitioners to better understand how these ideas can support children’s development during the earliest years of life.”