The Duchess of Cambridge will visit Surrey today (January 22) as she launches a landmark national survey about early years development.

Kate described early years in infants as a "crucial" moment for "future health and happiness" and aims to focus outreach work across the UK around "Five Big Questions on the under fives".

The initiative includes an online poll, conducted by Ipsos Mori on behalf of the Royal Foundation, that is touted as the biggest survey of its kind.

It aims to promote a national conversation about early years development across the UK.

As such, the duchess is undertaking a 24-hour tour Wednesday which will see her visit places such including Cardiff and Surrey to promote the initiative.

Kate began the tour in Birmingham where she met a group of youngsters at an interactive attraction and chatted with health professionals, fellow parents and supporters of her project.

"I'm here today to help launch a survey to hear society's views about raising the next generation," she said on her arrival.

"Parents, carers and families are at the heart of caring for children in the formative years, so that is why I want to listen to them.

"As a parent I know how much we cherish the future health and happiness of our children.

"I want to hear the key issues affecting our families and communities so I can focus my work on where it is needed most.

"My ambition is to provide a lasting change for generations to come," Kate added.

The duchess is the mother of three young children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Her survey will run for a month, from January 21 to February 21, and will ask those taking the poll five questions to gauge their views about early years.

"I think the early years of life are the most important years, for life long health and happiness," Kate said in conversation with a group of parents during the tour.

"They help us avoid adversity, or certainly builds resilience to adversity in later life - prevent challenges with mental later down the line.

"It is estimated that there's a huge social and economic cost to late intervention of £17bn in England and Wales.

"The early years are more crucial for future health and happiness than any other moment in our lifetime," she added.

Her views were echoed by Jasmine Norris, assistant nursery manager at St Paul's Nursery in the Balsall Heath area of Birmingham, who brought eight of her children to the event and chatted to the duchess.

She said: "I think early years is vital, incredibly important. I think we help the children to move on into their future education, and their lives."