The Nurturing care framework for early childhood development: A framework for helping children SURVIVE and THRIVE to TRANSFORM health and human potential builds upon state-of-the art evidence of how child development unfolds and of the effective policies and interventions that can improve early childhood development. The Framework was developed by WHOUNICEF, and the World Bank Group, in collaboration with the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health the Early Childhood Development Action Network and many other partners to provide a roadmap for ensuring attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and survive, thrive and transform goals of the Global Strategy on Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health.  Launched alongside the 71st World Health Assembly in May 2018, it outlines:

  • why efforts to improve health and wellbeing must begin in the earliest years, from pregnancy to age 3;
  • the major threats to early childhood development;
  • how nurturing care protects young children from the worst effects of adversity and promotes physical, emotional and cognitive development;
  • what families and caregivers need to provide nurturing care for young children.

To reach their full potential, children need the five inter-related and indivisible components of nurturing care: good health, adequate nutrition, safety and security, responsive caregiving and opportunities for learning. You can find out more about these five components here.

The Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development was launched by the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the World Bank Group, in collaboration with the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health and​ the Early Childhood Development Action Network, during the 71st World Health Assembly on 23 May 2018. more

The Framework was developed through a period of extensive consultation between July 2017 and March 2018, with partners and interested parties from all regions of the world. We received over 1,000 contributions from 111 countries!

There were 2 global online consultations and 8 in-person national or regional consultations.

First Online Consultation, January-February 2018
Summary of responses

Second Online Consultation, March 2018
Summary of responses
List of acknowledgements

Consultation timeline
List of face-to-face consultations

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