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In this paper, the authors present the evidence on why childcare matters for building human capital, look at the current status of childcare provision worldwide, including an estimate of the global gaps in access, and present specific actions countries can take to expand access to quality, affordable childcare for all families that need it, especially the most vulnerable. This paper was originally drafted prior to the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and has been updated to include new content, taking into account the unique challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic poses for families,…
This two-page document from the Thrive Coalition - a community of over 30 organizations and individuals dedicated to addressing U.S. Government support for global early childhood development - makes a case for U.S. investment in global early childhood development. The document outlines the importance of the early years and the greater "return on investment" for early intervention. The document also underscores the cost of inaction.
In just a matter of weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to huge societal public health and economic challenges worldwide. The clinical effects of COVID-19 on young children are uncertain when compared with older age groups, with lower morbidity and mortality rates and no conclusive evidence supporting transmission during pregnancy, on the one hand, but some emerging evidence of rising rates of child hyperinflammatory shock, on the other. Research on the effects of prior pandemics and disasters clearly indicates that there will be both immediate and long-term adverse consequences for…
The Breastfeeding Advocacy Toolkit (the Toolkit) is intended to ensure stakeholders are able to easily access and use advocacy tools aimed at improving policies and financing for the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding.
The Toolkit is an initiative of the Global Breastfeeding Collective (the Collective). Led by UNICEF and WHO, the Collective is a partnership of over 20 international organizations with the goal of increasing investment and policy change to support breastfeeding worldwide,…
The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2016 KIDS COUNT Data Book finds today's youth — Generation Z — are healthier and completing high school on time despite mounting economic inequality and increasingly unaffordable college tuition. Aided by smart policies and investments in prevention, a record number of teens are making positive choices. This year, the annual report focuses on key trends in child well-being in the post-recession years and offers recommendations for how policymakers can ensure all children are prepared for the future.
This paper from the U.S. National Academy of Medicine argues the importance of investment in early childhood development and serves as a call to action “to close the gap between what is known and what is done to support the development of children globally and, in turn, sustainable progress for communities and nations.” The paper offers an analysis of the cost of inaction on investing in children’s development and the return on investment if resources are put into supporting early childhood development. The paper focuses on U.S. domestic policy and investment as well as U.S. foreign aid and…
'Early Childhood Matters' is an annual publication from the Bernard van Leer Foundation which aims to “spread awareness of promising solutions to support holistic child development and explore the elements needed to take those solutions to scale.” This edition of the publication includes research, reports, and program documentation regarding early child development programs and the promotion of early childhood intervention. It also includes instruments and tools for measuring child development and recommendations for scaling up early interventions services.
In her report to the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Marta Santos Pais, highlights the progress achieved and lessons learned in the implementation of the strategic recommendations of the United Nations study on violence against children and highlights her priorities for the second term of her mandate. The UN Study on VAC recognized that early childhood is a fundamental stage in children’s development, and offers a strategic opportunity to prevent violence and break the cycle of…
Children’s experiences of poverty and vulnerability are multidimensional and differ from those of adults. Children undergo complex physical, psychological and intellectual development as they grow, and are also often more vulnerable to mal-nutrition, disease, abuse and exploitation than adults. Their dependency on adults to support and protect them means that loss of family care is a significant risk, particularly in the context of conflict, humanitarian crises, and HIV and AIDS. Intra-household discrimination can also result in child poverty and hunger, lack of access to ser-vices, and abuse…
WHAT: A brief paper highlighting the benefits of using home-visits to support child development and child protection. It suggests that drawing on local resources (including para-professionals and community volunteers) to do the home-visits can be an effective method of supporting families and reducing program costs.
WHO: Policy makers and managers working in the field of child welfare and child protection
WHERE: Global relevance
WHY: It provides organizational guidance on how to set up home…