The guide outlines key concepts, research questions, and methodological steps for assessing early childhood intervention systems at national level. It supports the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data across sectors such as health, education, and social services. Emphasis is placed on understanding governance structures, service availability, access, quality, workforce capacity, and coordination mechanisms. The guide is designed to ensure consistency, rigor, and comparability in national analyses, while allowing adaptation to country contexts.

In this analysis, 27 tools for early childhood development outcome measurement (25 individual and 2 population-level tools) were rated across a range of accuracy and feasibility criteria

This report explores the largely unmeasured consequences of the COVID‑19 pandemic on early childhood development in the WHO European Region. It reviews disruptions to essential services such as health care, early learning, childcare, and family support, as well as increased stressors on caregivers and households. The analysis highlights significant data gaps and missed opportunities to monitor, protect, and prioritize young children’s development during crisis response and recovery. It calls for stronger systems, better data, and child‑centred policies to mitigate long‑term developmental and social impacts.

Developed by UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, the framework promotes a comprehensive, evidence-informed and adaptable approach to supporting parents and caregivers. It emphasises nurturing care, positive parenting, social and behaviour change approaches, universal and progressive service provision, and coordinated action across health, education, social protection and community sectors.

Developed by UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, the framework promotes a comprehensive, evidence-informed and adaptable approach to supporting parents and caregivers. It emphasises nurturing care, positive parenting, social and behaviour change approaches, universal and progressive service provision, and coordinated action across health, education, social protection and community sectors.

Comprehensive strategic vision for improving outcomes for young children by promoting healthy development, well-being and equity from pregnancy through the early years. The framework highlights the critical importance of early childhood as a foundation for lifelong health, learning and social participation, and calls for coordinated action across health, education, social care and other sectors to address the wider determinants of child development. It provides guidance for countries to strengthen policies, systems and workforce capacity to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life

The brief synthesizes evidence on why early childhood intervention is an essential component of effective ECD systems, highlighting the consequences of delayed identification and fragmented service delivery. It presents key principles for system design, including inclusiveness, family‑centred approaches, cross‑sectoral coordination, and long‑term sustainability. The document focuses on policy levers rather than service models, making it applicable across diverse national contexts

Estonia’s Parent Support Strategy provides a universal, layered system of parenting support that combines routine guidance through child health services with targeted and intensive interventions for families with additional needs. Support includes parenting programmes such as Incredible Years, digital resources, family hubs, mediation services, and specialist therapeutic support.

Key Scottish policies, legislation, guidance and evidence relevant to child health, early childhood development, health visiting and family support, including Universal Health Visiting Pathway, child protection guidance and maternal and child health policy

The programme provides evidence-based guidance for supporting families of children aged 2-9 years with developmental delays or disabilities. Designed for delivery in community and low-resource settings, it equips caregivers with practical skills to promote communication, engagement, positive behaviour and daily living skills, while offering a scalable model for strengthening early identification and family-centred support services