About the 1001 Critical Days Foundation
We believe every baby deserves the best start in life. Through grant funding, parental support and championing the importance of the 1001 critical days, we help lay the essential building blocks for lifelong emotional and physical wellbeing for babies around the world.
The 1001 Critical Days Foundation is determined that every baby across the world should experience the best start in life.
THE JOURNEY TO THE 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, laying the foundations for lifelong health, learning and wellbeing.
This knowledge isn’t new. Decades of research across disciplines – from attachment theory to neuroscience – have shown how vital these early experiences are. A baby’s relationships, environment and experiences during this time 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 in their earliest months and years, even though we know how to give them a better start.
That’s why the 1001 Critical Days Foundation exists.
We are working to change the world by championing the unique importance of babyhood on a 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 together 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.
Compassionate
We show deep care and empathy for the unique needs and challenges of babies, parents and carers during the 1001 critical days. Our approach balances support, understanding and action, creating environments where every carer and baby thrive together.
OUR VALUES
Action-Centred
We ensure that everything we do is focused on delivering better outcomes for babies right across the world.
Collaborative
We work with global partners to achieve the most positive impact for the greatest number. Working with parents, policy makers, researchers and charities, we will transform how societies across the world support families during the 1001 critical days.
Impactful
We strive to make a measurable and meaningful difference to the lives of babies and their families. Our evidence-based approach ensures that our investments in research and support networks deliver tangible benefits to babies and families while building momentum for systemic transformation.
OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH
The 1001 Critical Days Foundation focuses on three interconnected areas to help give every baby the best start.
We strengthen community-based family hub services, and other similar settings, through providing funding to charities.
We deepen scientific understanding by investing in innovative early years research around the world.
We champion the importance of the 1001 days across different cultures and continents.
Our Team
Our Board of Trustees
OUR EXPERT ADVISORY GROUPS
In addition to our team and trustees, we are privileged to benefit from the insight and expertise of three expert advisory groups. These groups bring deep knowledge and experience to help shape our work and amplify our impact.
Academic Advisory Group
Our Academic Advisory Group members have expertise that spans the full breadth of the 1001 critical days. They join us from well-respected research institutions from all around the world with one goal: to ensure that all our work stands up to the highest academic standards.
Professional Advisory Group
Babies and families often need a wide range of support: from antenatal classes and infant feeding to perinatal mental health and parent-infant relationships. Our Professional Advisory Group members represent the rich and varied professions that are needed to ensure that parents and carers are supported to give their baby the best start in life.
Parliamentary Advisory Group
To achieve impact at scale for every baby, policy makers and governments must prioritise the 1001 critical days and invest in early intervention. Our Parliamentary Advisory Group helps us to ensure that our work will support policy makers and governments around the world to invest in babies.
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.