The Early Childhood Development Project

About the project

The early years—from conception to age five—are the most critical stage in a child's development. During this time, the brain forms over 1 million neural connections every second, shaping a child's capacity to learn, relate, and thrive. Yet by the time children start school, those from lower-income backgrounds are already 4.6 months behind their more advantaged peers—a gap that often widens to nearly two years (19.2 months) by the end of secondary school. In fact, two-fifths of the total disadvantage gap at GCSE level is rooted in disparities that emerge during early childhood.

This is not just a social issue—it’s a productivity issue, a workforce issue, and a generational opportunity. Businesses are uniquely positioned to drive change.

In the UK alone, 4.56 million employees are parents of children under five. Employers influence not just economic security, but the time, environment, and confidence parents have to nurture their children during this critical window. By investing in practical support—whether through flexibility, services, or smarter product design—businesses can strengthen their workforce and support the next generation at the same time.

Through this project, ReGenerate is focused on the intersection of workforce resilience and early childhood outcomes. We are developing scalable, evidence-based proposals that deliver measurable impact. Our work centres on three key levers for change:

• The role of working parents – exploring how employers can support them in ways that improve family life and business performance.

• The role of business in products and services – identifying how what businesses offer externally can shape childhood outcomes more widely.

• The role of government – exploring how smart, collaborative policy can unlock and accelerate progress, especially in partnership with the private sector.

Guided by principles of simplicity, equity, and real-world feasibility, we aim to build on what works, make change easy to adopt, and position businesses as proactive partners in shaping a healthier, fairer society from the earliest years.

Our goal is to help businesses unlock long-term value—through improved employee wellbeing, retention, and performance—while making a meaningful difference in the lives of young children.

Supporters

We are delighted that this project is supported by organisations driving fantastic work in this space. These include:

• Collective Futures

• Elevate Great

• Kindred Squared

• Ethos Foundation