Toolkit guide

Resources

Frameworks, guidance and monitoring tools to support each stage of policy work.

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Showing 150 of 223 resources
Tools & Frameworks
Monitoring children’s development through primary health care in Europe and Central Asia [3.2]
Studies
Policy Brief: The opportunity to better secure Europe's health and economic future through coherent policy on Early Childhood Development [Context]
Tools & Frameworks
Early Childhood Development Toolbox [2.3]
Tools & Frameworks
Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD) [2.2]
Tools & Frameworks
Recommended Practices in Early Childhood Intervention. A Guidebook for professionals [1.1]
Studies
Missed opportunities: The unknown impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early childhood development in the WHO European region [2.1]
Tools & Frameworks
The Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development [3.1]
Best practices
Early Childhood Development: subreport of Children's Realities in Europe: Progress and Gaps. [2.3]
Studies
Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined [1.1]
Tools & Frameworks
A Healthy Start for a Healthy Life: A Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Well-being in the WHO European Region 2026–2030. [1.2]
Tools & Frameworks
Early Childhood Development Toolbox [3.2]
Studies
The effects of home visiting programmes on key dimensions of the well-being of children and families in high- and middle-income countries. A synthesis of evidence. Report [2.2]
Tools & Frameworks
Recommended Practices in Early Childhood Intervention. A Guidebook for professionals [1.3]
Tools & Frameworks
Rating early child development outcome measurement tools for routine health programme use. [2.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region [1.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Countdown to 2030: Country profiles on early childhood development [1.1]
Best practices
Family-centered services for early childhood intervention: Highlighting initiatives in Croatia and Serbia [2.2]
Best practices
Ireland's First 5 Annual Implementation Reports (Reporting Progress) [3.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Parenting Support Workforce Needs Assessment Tool [1.3]
Studies
Policy brief: The effects of home visiting programmes on key dimensions of the well-being of children and families in high and middle-income countries. Evidence for policy and program design [2.2]
Tools & Frameworks
Recommended Practices in Early Childhood Intervention. A Guidebook for professionals [2.2]
Tools & Frameworks
Methodological Guide: Research for national situation analysis on early childhood intervention [2.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region [1.3]
Best practices
Nurturing Children's Wellbeing: Iceland's Pathway to Enhanced Rights and Access [2.2]
Tools & Frameworks
Methodological Guide: Research for national situation analysis on early childhood intervention [1.1]
Best practices
Ireland's First 5 Implementation Plan 2023-2025 [3.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Parenting Support Workforce Needs Assessment Tool [2.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Universal Progressive Home Visiting: A health systems strategy for early childhood [2.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Recommended Practices in Early Childhood Intervention. A Guidebook for professionals [2.3]
Tools & Frameworks
Building a sustainable and inclusive Early Childhood Intervention system: Policy brief [2.1]

Monitoring children’s development through primary health care in Europe and Central Asia [3.2]

Monitoring children’s development through primary health care in Europe and Central Asia
  • Topic: Early Detection
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1

Use it to…

Can be used to inform the introduction of developmental monitoring as part of routine health service provision

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Policy Brief: The opportunity to better secure Europe's health and economic future through coherent policy on Early Childhood Development [Context]

  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Studies
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

Outlines key gaps in current ECD policy and practice with recommendations and examples of good practice

Where to look in this resource

Provides a current overview of the ECD policy context and highlights key areas for action

Early Childhood Development Toolbox [2.3]

Early Childhood Development Toolbox
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 2

Use it to…

It supports policymakers in bridging national ECD policy objectives with local implementation realities, particularly in decentralized governance systems.

Where to look in this resource

It includes tools for achieving specific policy objectives. For example, detailed processes are outlined for objectives related to strengthening local governments (p.17-35), the early childhood services (p.77-85), and meeting the needs of specific groups at risk of worse ECD outcomes (p.107-138)

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Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD) [2.2]

Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD)
  • Topic: Developmental monitoring and early detection
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 3

Use it to…

It can be integrated into primary health care as a tool to support professionals in ongoing developmental monitoring and in supporting families in promoting early child development.

Where to look in this resource

A unique package for monitoring and supporting early childhood development that can be used by trained providers to assess the development of children from birth to 3.5 years of age and deliver individualised support

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Recommended Practices in Early Childhood Intervention. A Guidebook for professionals [1.1]

Recommended Practices in Early Childhood Intervention. A Guidebook for professionals
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1

Use it to…

This guidebook provides a practical, adaptable model for professionals and policymakers across Europe to help families recognise their own strengths, actively participate in decision-making, and improve their child's community inclusion via Early Childhood Intervention programming.

Where to look in this resource

- Description and definition of ECI (pgs. 31-32), its relevance to and the science towards children's development (pgs. 33-48) and understanding it as a rights issue (pgs. 48- 50) - Description of ECI's goals and practice (pgs. 50-51)

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Missed opportunities: The unknown impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early childhood development in the WHO European region [2.1]

Missed opportunities: The unknown impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early childhood development in the WHO European region
  • Topic: Early Detection
  • Typology: Studies
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

The report helps policymakers understand where early childhood needs were overlooked during the pandemic and why this matters for long‑term health, equity, and human capital. It provides evidence to inform recovery planning, strengthen resilience in ECD systems, and ensure young children are prioritized in future emergencies.

Where to look in this resource

Highlights how disruptions to health services can lead to widespread missed opportunities for early detection, strengthening the case for resilient system design and the need for intervention

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The Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development [3.1]

The Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 2

Use it to…

The framework helps policymakers align national strategies with evidence‑based, rights‑based approaches to early childhood development. It provides a common reference to support coordinated action across sectors, enabling more effective investments that improve population health, social outcomes, and long‑term economic development.

Where to look in this resource

Chapter 5 sets out areas for policy intervention across the health, education and social care sectors.

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Early Childhood Development: subreport of Children's Realities in Europe: Progress and Gaps. [2.3]

Early Childhood Development: subreport of Children's Realities in Europe: Progress and Gaps.
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1-3

Use it to…

Key recommendations for policymakers are included, as well as evidence from across Europe

Where to look in this resource

-Pages 8-9 set out key recommendations and summary of findings from across European countries

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Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined [1.1]

Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Studies
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 2

Use it to…

It provides a robust scientific rationale for prioritising early childhood development within public health and NCD prevention strategies, framing ECD as a determinant of lifelong health rather than solely an education or social issue

Where to look in this resource

Pages 5-13 outline the evidence that early childhood experiences have a lifelong impact on health and wellbeing. Page 14-17 highlight key areas for policy intervention, such as parenting support and recommendations for primary health care.

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A Healthy Start for a Healthy Life: A Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Well-being in the WHO European Region 2026–2030. [1.2]

A healthy start for a healthy life: a strategy for child and adolescent health and well-being in the WHO European Region 2026–2030
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

Sets out comprehensive actions for Child Health

Where to look in this resource

Identifies key priority areas with concrete actions for supportingchild health and wellbeing

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Early Childhood Development Toolbox [3.2]

Early Childhood Development Toolbox
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 3

Use it to…

It supports policymakers in bridging national ECD policy objectives with local implementation realities, particularly in decentralized governance systems.

Where to look in this resource

Tools to develop practical indicators, shared data platforms and participatory monitoring approaches

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The effects of home visiting programmes on key dimensions of the well-being of children and families in high- and middle-income countries. A synthesis of evidence. Report [2.2]

  • Topic: Parenting support, ECD
  • Typology: Studies
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 10

Use it to…

Can inform advocacy and policy design to enhance the health and development of young children, with a specific focus on home visiting services.

Where to look in this resource

Inform advocacy and policy design to enhance the health and development of young children, with a specific focus on home visiting services

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Recommended Practices in Early Childhood Intervention. A Guidebook for professionals [1.3]

Recommended Practices in Early Childhood Intervention. A Guidebook for professionals
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

This guidebook provides a practical, adaptable model for professionals and policymakers across Europe to help families recognise their own strengths, actively participate in decision-making, and improve their child's community inclusion via Early Childhood Intervention programming.

Where to look in this resource

- Description and definition of ECI (pgs. 31-32), its relevance to and the science towards children's development (pgs. 33-48) and understanding it as a rights issue (pgs. 48- 50) - Description of ECI's goals and practice (pgs. 50-51) - Case study of Portugal's SNIPI ECI approach including its history and development (pgs. 53- 64), legislation (pg. 57; 63-64), goals (pgs. 58-59), ministerial and local structures (pgs. 59-63) - Recommended practices in ECI overview (pgs. 67-68; 90-91)

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Rating early child development outcome measurement tools for routine health programme use. [2.1]

Rating early child development outcome measurement tools for routine health programme use.
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

A useful analysis to facilitate selection of the most appropriate monitoring tools

Where to look in this resource

-The results include a heat map of accuracy and feasibility ratings for each measurement tool as well as an overview of each tool assessed

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Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region [1.1]

Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1-4

Use it to…

The framework offers policymakers a coherent, evidence‑based structure for designing and aligning national ECD strategies across sectors. It supports informed decision‑making by highlighting priority actions that contribute to improved child outcomes, social cohesion, and long‑term human capital development.

Where to look in this resource

Pages 1-11 highlight the background and key areas for action for development, nutrition and physical health, to support the case for ECD policies

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Countdown to 2030: Country profiles on early childhood development [1.1]

Countdown to 2030: Country profiles on early childhood development
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1,3

Use it to…

A summary of key data relating to early childhood development at country level

Where to look in this resource

Data can be used to inform policy, compare across countries and make the case for investment areas in ECD as well as for monitoring where data is currently unavailable

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Family-centered services for early childhood intervention: Highlighting initiatives in Croatia and Serbia [2.2]

Family-centered services for early childhood intervention: Highlighting initiatives in Croatia and Serbia
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 5

Use it to…

It provides concrete examples of how family‑centred ECI principles can be operationalised within public systems, supporting policy discussions on feasibility, service design, and system reform.

Where to look in this resource

Pages 3-7 outline best practice examples for using situation analyses to identify evidence, and for improving design and delivery of ECI services

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Ireland's First 5 Annual Implementation Reports (Reporting Progress) [3.1]

Ireland's First 5 Annual Implementation Reports (Reporting Progress)
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1-3

Use it to…

Demonstrates how countries can monitor implementation of a national ECD strategy through regular reporting, accountability mechanisms and performance tracking

Where to look in this resource

An example of monitoring and evaluation of national ECD policies, with implementation and accountability mechanisms

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Parenting Support Workforce Needs Assessment Tool [1.3]

Parenting Support Workforce Needs Assessment Tool
  • Topic: Parental support
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

It provides evidence to support workforce planning decisions critical for scaling parenting support services and ensuring quality and consistency.

Where to look in this resource

It provides evidence for the need for responsive parenting in the early years (p.10), and how disadvantage affects parents ability to provide nurturing care (Annex I)

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Policy brief: The effects of home visiting programmes on key dimensions of the well-being of children and families in high and middle-income countries. Evidence for policy and program design [2.2]

  • Topic: Parenting support, ECD
  • Typology: Studies
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 10

Use it to…

The Policy Brief offers useful advocacy and policy guidance for promoting home visiting for young children and families as a key strategy to improve health and development in early chidhood.

Where to look in this resource

Advocacy and policy guidance for promoting home visiting for young children and families as a key strategy to improve health and development in early childhood.

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Recommended Practices in Early Childhood Intervention. A Guidebook for professionals [2.2]

Recommended Practices in Early Childhood Intervention. A Guidebook for professionals
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 5-6

Use it to…

This guidebook provides a practical, adaptable model for professionals and policymakers across Europe to help families recognise their own strengths, actively participate in decision-making, and improve their child's community inclusion via Early Childhood Intervention programming.

Where to look in this resource

- Case study of Portugal's SNIPI ECI approach including its history and development (pgs. 53- 64), legislation (pg. 57; 63-64), goals (pgs. 58-59), ministerial and local structures (pgs. 59-63)

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Methodological Guide: Research for national situation analysis on early childhood intervention [2.1]

Methodological Guide: Research for national situation analysis on early childhood intervention
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

It helps policymakers generate robust, evidence‑based insights into the strengths and weaknesses of early childhood intervention systems. It supports informed decision‑making, policy development, and strategic investment to improve early identification, support, and outcomes for children with developmental risks or disabilities

Where to look in this resource

It provides an overview of what early childhood intervention services entails (p.21-25), a theory of change to support policymakers in defining objectives and outcomes (p.30) alongside an overview of different research methodologies to support an analysis of the ECD landscape (in relation to objectives and outcomes described in the theory of change) (Chapters 6-8)

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Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region [1.3]

Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

The framework offers policymakers a coherent, evidence‑based structure for designing and aligning national ECD strategies across sectors. It supports informed decision‑making by highlighting priority actions that contribute to improved child outcomes, social cohesion, and long‑term human capital development.

Where to look in this resource

The framework sets out key action points across areas for policy intervention, including monitoring and surveillance.

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Nurturing Children's Wellbeing: Iceland's Pathway to Enhanced Rights and Access [2.2]

  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 2

Use it to…

Provides a practical example of cross-sectoral governance, integrated service delivery, early intervention, and rights-based approaches to improving child health and wellbeing. It demonstrates how legislation, coordination mechanisms, and sustained investment can strengthen support for children and families.

Where to look in this resource

Can be used as a promising practice example to inform early childhood legislation and policy.

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Methodological Guide: Research for national situation analysis on early childhood intervention [1.1]

Methodological Guide: Research for national situation analysis on early childhood intervention
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 3

Use it to…

It helps policymakers generate robust, evidence‑based insights into the strengths and weaknesses of early childhood intervention systems. It supports informed decision‑making, policy development, and strategic investment to improve early identification, support, and outcomes for children with developmental risks or disabilities

Where to look in this resource

It provides an overview of what early childhood intervention services entails (p.21-25), a theory of change to support policymakers in defining objectives and outcomes (p.30) alongside an overview of different research methodologies to support an analysis of the ECD landscape (in relation to objectives and outcomes described in the theory of change) (Chapters 6-8)

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Ireland's First 5 Implementation Plan 2023-2025 [3.1]

Ireland's First 5 Implementation Plan 2023-2025
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1-3

Use it to…

Provides a practical example of translating a national ECD strategy into a time-bound implementation plan with defined responsibilities and measurable outputs.

Where to look in this resource

An example of how to implement multisectoral ECD policies; governance and coordination arrangements

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Parenting Support Workforce Needs Assessment Tool [2.1]

Parenting Support Workforce Needs Assessment Tool
  • Topic: Parental support
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

It provides evidence to support workforce planning decisions critical for scaling parenting support services and ensuring quality and consistency.

Where to look in this resource

It provides an overview of entry points to delivering a parenting support service at different levels and what this entails (Universal, Targeted, and Intensive) (p.18 - 37) A helpful tool to undertake a workforce needs assessment for parent support services. Seven areas covered: 1) workforce expectations, 2) curricula, materials and resources, 3) training, supervision and career development, 4) workforce conditions and wellbeing, 5) program design, 6) enabling environment and 7) monitoring and quality assurance. Tool application on page 11.

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Universal Progressive Home Visiting: A health systems strategy for early childhood [2.1]

  • Topic: Parenting support, ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

Provides important guidance for advocacy and policy design for advancing universal-progressive home visiting model for young children and families.

Where to look in this resource

Informs policy design for a UPHV model

Recommended Practices in Early Childhood Intervention. A Guidebook for professionals [2.3]

Recommended Practices in Early Childhood Intervention. A Guidebook for professionals
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 2

Use it to…

This guidebook provides a practical, adaptable model for professionals and policymakers across Europe to help families recognise their own strengths, actively participate in decision-making, and improve their child's community inclusion via Early Childhood Intervention programming.

Where to look in this resource

Integrated, intersectoral and multidisciplinary ECI approaches and cooperation (pgs. 219-239) with practical exercises to support the approach (pgs. 238-239)

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Building a sustainable and inclusive Early Childhood Intervention system: Policy brief [2.1]

Building a sustainable and inclusive Early Childhood Intervention system: Policy brief
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

It provides a clear, evidence‑based justification for public investment in ECI and supports policymakers in framing early intervention as a system‑level responsibility rather than a niche or discretionary service.

Where to look in this resource

It supports policymakers to select policy priorities by providing a justification of the importance of ECI (p.4) and what a family-centred ECI service requires (p.5-6)

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