THE 1001 DAYS THAT SHAPE A LIFETIME
We believe every baby should experience the best start in life.
We provide grants for charities and research, as well as advocating for best practice around the world.
THE 1001 CRITICAL DAYS FOUNDATION
The first 1001 days - from pregnancy to age two - are when the building blocks for lifelong emotional and physical wellbeing are laid down. We believe every baby should experience the best start in life. We will help make this happen by providing grant funding for charities delivering support services in family hubs and other similar settings, commissioning research into the best support during the perinatal period, and promoting the importance of the 1001 critical days around the world.
THREE PILLARS OF IMPACT
We direct our efforts and resources to create the greatest impact for babies during their first 1001 days. Through awarding multi-year grants to charities supporting new families, funding groundbreaking research that proves the vital importance of pregnancy to age two, and championing the first 1001 days with policy makers right across the world, we're laying the foundations for every baby to experience the best start in life.
Grant Funding to Support Babies
Decades of research has shown that new parents and carers want three things above all else: trusted information, support that is available to everyone and a 'one stop shop' they can go to for advice and support with a pregnancy or a young baby.
We support, strengthen and fund charities that are delivering better outcomes for babies through family hubs and other 'one stop shop' community initiatives. We provide multi-year grants for work that achieves measurable long-term impact and positive outcomes for babies.
Research Grants to Prove the Importance of the 1001 Critical Days
While governments worldwide acknowledge the importance of early years development support, most formal education and intervention programmes begin around the age of four.
Our groundbreaking research will highlight how a secure foundation laid during a baby’s first 1001 days makes a profound difference, while demonstrating the personal and societal impact of investing in this critical period. It will also save billions in taxpayer money by reducing the need for costly interventions later in life.
Promoting the 1001 Critical Days Worldwide
Parents and carers need support to give their baby the best start in life. Our mission is to convince policymakers around the world of the critical importance and opportunity of the 1001 Critical Days.
Our work leverages decades of research and frontline expertise to ensure every baby gets the best start in life, wherever they are born.
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1001 DAYS IN ACTION
Discover how we’re transforming support for new families worldwide. Follow our latest frontline initiatives, research breakthroughs, speeches, blog posts and news shaping the future of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation.
The Incredible Opportunity of the First 1001 Days
Having a baby can be an overwhelming experience; incredibly joyful, but also exhausting and emotional. Caring for a baby is not always easy and it can be hard to know where to turn for the best information. We’ve created a list of quality resources to help give you confidence to navigate those first 1001 days.
THE JOURNEY TO 1001 DAYS
The first 1001 days – from pregnancy to age two – are a time of astonishing growth. During this short window, a baby’s brain develops faster than at any other stage in their life.
Decades of research ranging from John Bowlby’s attachment theory of the 1950s to present-day findings in neuroscience demonstrate just how vital these early experiences are. A baby’s relationships, environment and experiences during the 1001 days shape everything from their stress response system to their immune system, and their social, emotional and cognitive development.
What is new is how far the evidence has outpaced global action. Around the world, we see excellent work supporting babies and families – but it is often fragmented, under-resourced, or treated as a lower priority. Too many babies still face avoidable risks before their second birthday even though we know how to give them a better start.
That’s why the 1001 Critical Days Foundation exists.
We champion the unique importance of babyhood on the global stage – sharing what we’ve learned in the UK and learning from others doing brilliant work elsewhere. We support governments, researchers, practitioners and communities to put babies and their families at the heart of policy and practice.
By working with academics, professionals and policymakers, we can turn the science of early childhood into action – so that every baby can grow up healthy, safe and loved.
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT YOU?
Are you a charity seeking to deliver seamless support for all families? Or a researcher striving to find the best outcomes for all babies? Or are you driving policy outcomes to bring about a greater awareness of the first 1001 days?