The Health Systems for Early Child Development platform is a one-stop-shop for policy makers, service providers, and service planners, where they can access latest evidence-based guidance and resources on early childhood development policies and programmes that health care systems can incorporate and build on. It is also a learning community that enables discussions and knowledge exchange on building a responsive system that addresses the needs of young children and their families. Read More →

This analysis summarises the situation of young children across several policy areas impacting their development. It is based on data collected from nine European countries and consolidated in nine country profiles. It draws attention towards four key findings across policy areas impacting ECD and priorities for policy-making and investment in early childhood at the European and country level.Read More →

The tool aims to help Ministries and government agencies reflect on the ways in which they can support personnel delivering home visiting programs across sectors for pregnant mothers and caregivers with children under 3. Drawing inspiration from the UNICEF Pre-Primary Diagnostic and Planning Tool, this tool is intended for countries with home visiting programs at either the sub-national or national levels. The scope of this tool includes home visitors who work directly with young children and their families, as well as supervisors and trainers.Read More →

Roma are the most marginalized and disadvantaged population in Europe, reports the European Public Health Alliance. The International Step by Step Association, in cooperation with the European Public Health Alliance, the Romani Early Years Network, the Institute for Development Policies (Romania) and Skola dokoran (Wide Open School-Slovakia), have made several strategic recommendations to ensure every child gets the good start in life they need, based on the Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development. They seek to address disparities in access to health, housing, income, social and early childhood development services for vulnerable Roma children, focusing on the crucial period between birth and 3 years of age.Read More →

This framework from the International Step-by-Step Association is grounded in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and stands for the centrality of the child and family in conceptualizing, designing and implementing programs dedicated to this age group, no matter the type of service, program, or sector. It comprises 31 principles and 143 recommended practices, grouped around 9 focus areas, thus covering the complexity of the practices and responsibilities that binds all professionals working in early childhood services.Read More →