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Early Years Alliance has responded to the new call from the Princess of Wales for more to be done to recognise the importance of the early years.

, the Princess of Wales said: 

"There are fantastic examples of what can be achieved when we recognise the unique potential of early childhood and build a safe and loving world around a child. But not enough is being done..."

Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said:  

"The Princess of Wales is absolutely right to say that not enough is being done to highlight the unique importance of the early years in this country.

"Despite a wealth of research showing that the first five years of a child’s life are absolutely critical in shaping their long-term learning and development, all too often, education is still viewed as something that only begins once a child starts school – despite the fact that more than nine in ten children access some kind of formal early education.

"Investing in our early years sector isn’t ‘paying for someone else’s children to be looked after’, as it is so often described. It is ensuring that all children have access to the kind of quality early education that will help them to become happy, healthy and responsible citizens of society.

"As such, we welcome the Princess of Wales’ continued efforts to raise awareness of this vital issue. Perhaps finally, those in government will sit up and take notice."