Toolkit guide

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

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
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
Health Area
Early childhood development
Area
Context
Description

The brief summarises the policy context across Europe and highlights key gaps, recommendations for action and promising practice examples

Brief description
Policy brief highlighting key opportunities and areas of action for ECD policy
Keywords
policy, recommendations, promising practice, data gaps, evidence
Resource Title
Policy Brief: The opportunity to better secure Europe's health and economic future through coherent policy on Early Childhood Development

An Overview of Country Policy and Systems for Early Childhood Development in Europe [3.2]

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Studies
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Actions 1-4
Use it to…
Highlights ECD policies and practices across Europe, with best practice examples and recommended policy approaches
Where to look in this resource
Allows benchmarking against the existing landscape of ECD systems
Health Area
Early childhood development
Area
3.2
Description

A mixed methods evidence synthesis reviewing ECD systems and practices across 27 EU member states, Iceland, Norway, and the UK, summarising the availability of data on child developmental status, the implementation of ECD policies and highlighting promising European practicces

Brief description
Comprehensive overview of ECD policy and practices across Europe
Keywords
policy recommendations, promising practice, ECD systems, minimum criteria, data metrics
Resource Title
An Overview of Country Policy and Systems for Early Childhood Development in Europe

An Overview of Country Policy and Systems for Early Childhood Development in Europe [2.1]

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Studies
Language
EN
Use it to…
Highlights ECD policies and practices across Europe, with best practice examples and recommended policy approaches
Where to look in this resource
Indicates promising practice examples from across Europe as well as criteria to identify minimum standards and promising practices
Health Area
Early childhood development
Area
2.1
Description

A mixed methods evidence synthesis reviewing ECD systems and practices across 27 EU member states, Iceland, Norway, and the UK, summarising the availability of data on child developmental status, the implementation of ECD policies and highlighting promising European practicces

Brief description
Comprehensive overview of ECD policy and practices across Europe
Keywords
policy recommendations, promising practice, ECD systems, minimum criteria, data metrics
Resource Title
An Overview of Country Policy and Systems for Early Childhood Development in Europe

Summary of conditions contributing to developmental delays or difficulties [1.1]

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 1-2
Use it to…
Outlines key factors for policymakers to consider when identifying children at risk for developmental delay
Where to look in this resource
Highlights key areas to consider when mapping groups most likely to be affected by risks to development
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P6OgI3qHKl6TnB8NE5yS57doICqcNxf3/edit?usp=d…
Area
1.1
Description

Conceptualises a life-course understanding of contributing factors to developmental difficulties and highlights the need to understand the distribution of children affected

Brief description
Summary of key biological and psychosocial factors contributing to developmental delay or disability
Keywords
developmental delay; disability; life course; psychosocial factors; protective factors
Resource Title
Summary of conditions contributing to developmental delays or difficulties

UNICEF Early Childhood Intervention Technical Resources [1.1]

Topic
ECI
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 3
Use it to…
Video resources and webinar links for policymakers to support ECI interventions and outline the scientific evidence and underlying concepts for ECI
Where to look in this resource
Video explainers, webinar and e-learning resources to offer accessible guidance for ECI, which can be used to understand key aspects of ECI services
UNICEF Early Childhood Intervention Technical Resources
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://knowledge.unicef.org/resource/technical-resources-early-childhood-inter…
Area
1.1
Description

In addition to guidance and policy briefs, the resource provides video overviews and webinars to outline the scientific evidence, guide to situational analysis, and case studies for ECI interventions

Brief description
UNICEF resource including video guidance, webinars and e-learning platform to support professionals designing and implementing ECI services
Keywords
family-centred services; Inclusive services; practitioner competencies; cross-sector policy planning; e-learning
Resource Title
UNICEF Early Childhood Intervention Technical Resources

Croatia's Growing Up Together Programme [2.2]

Topic
Parenting support
Tools & Frameworks
Best practices
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 7-8
Use it to…
Demonstrates an evidence-based, layered approach to parenting support that improves parental confidence, equity of access and family engagement in child development
Where to look in this resource
An example of a national parenting support programme promoting family-centred early childhood intervention to empower parents
Croatia's Growing Up Together Programme
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://www.rastimozajedno.hr/en/
Area
2.2
Description

The programme, delivered by the Centre for Parenting Support, provides evidence-informed parenting support and coordinated referral pathways, with additional tailored support for vulnerable groups

Brief description
Universal parenting programme with tailored workshops for families of children with developmental delays, disabilities and other vulnerabilities
Keywords
parental empowerment; family-centred care; workshop-based support; tailored interventions; service referral pathways
Resource Title
Croatia's Growing Up Together Programme

Portugal's National Early Childhood Intervention System (SNIPI) [2.2]

Topic
ECI
Tools & Frameworks
Best practices
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 5-6
Use it to…
Demonstrates how legislation, cross-sector governance and coordinated multidisciplinary teams can improve early identification, referral and support for children with developmental needs
Where to look in this resource
A promising practice example of a cross-sectoral approach to ECI, accessible to all
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://www.eurlyaid.eu/eciguidebook-englishversion/
Area
2.2
Description

SNIPI is a legislated national system jointly overseen by the Ministries of Education, Health and Social Policy. Local multidisciplinary teams coordinate early identification, referral, intervention planning and family support using a family-centred approach.

Brief description
National early childhood intervention system providing integrated support for children aged 0-6 years with, or at risk of, developmental delays and disabilities
Keywords
multidisciplinary teams; care coordination; developmental monitoring; family-centred care; cross-sector collaboration
Resource Title
Portugal's National Early Childhood Intervention System (SNIPI)

Improving Early Childhood Development: WHO Guideline [1.2]

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Use it to…
Sets out evidence-based recommendations that can be incorporated into national guidelines, workforce training and service delivery models
Where to look in this resource
Supports responsive parenting interventions, workforce guidance, primary healthcare services and implementation planning.
Improving Early Childhood Development: WHO Guideline
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/97892400020986
Area
1.2
Description

Provides guidance for supporting child development through caregiver support, responsive care, early learning opportunities, nutrition interventions and maternal mental health services.

Brief description
WHO guideline providing recommendations to strengthen policies and programmes that support healthy child development in the early years
Keywords
responsive caregiving; maternal mental health; early learning; caregiver support; clinical guidance
Resource Title
Improving Early Childhood Development: WHO Guideline

The role of the health sector in Early Childhood Development. In: Handbook of Early Childhood Development Research and its impact on global policy [1.2]

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Use it to…
Provides a strong evidence base linking child development research with practical policy and programme design, implementation and financing.
Where to look in this resource
Supports evidence building, policy development, governance, financing, workforce development and programme implementation
The role of the health sector in Early Childhood Development. In: Handbook of Early Childhood Development Research and its impact on global policy
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://academic.oup.com/book/12096
Area
1.2
Description

Brings together international evidence on child development and explores how research can inform policy and programme design.

Brief description
Comprehensive reference synthesising evidence on child development and its implications for policy, programmes, financing and systems development
Keywords
evidence-based policy; systems strengthening; programme design; child rights; public investment
Resource Title
The role of the health sector in Early Childhood Development. In: Handbook of Early Childhood Development Research and its impact on global policy

Operationalising nurturing care for early childhood development: the role of the health sector alongside other sectors and actors [1.2]

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Use it to…
Can be used by policymakers to translate nurturing care principles into health system action and strengthen multisectoral implementation.
Where to look in this resource
Supports policy implementation, multisectoral governance, identifying health sector entry points and service design
Operationalising nurturing care for early childhood development: the role of the health sector alongside other sectors and actors
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241516471
Area
1.2
Description

Builds on the Nurturing Care Framework and focuses on strengthening health services while outlining complementary actions across sectors. It supports countries to operationalise nurturing care through systems strengthening and coordinated service delivery

Brief description
Practical guidance for ministries, policymakers and partners on implementing nurturing care
Keywords
nurturing care; health systems; responsive caregiving; multisectoral action; service integration
Resource Title
Operationalising nurturing care for early childhood development: the role of the health sector alongside other sectors and actors
Early childhood development