Early childhood development
The early years of life represent a ‘one time only’ opportunity for young children’s development as their brains form neural connections at a pace never to be repeated in their lives
- English
- русский
The best start in life for every child
Our goal: We want to ensure that every child – without exception – has the best possible start in life, with the support of early childhood development programmes that prepare them for success.
To make the most of this unique opportunity, children need the best start in life. When the development of a young child is disrupted at this pivotal moment, the impact can last a lifetime.
Data from the region
Around one child in every four in the Europe and Central Asia region does not receive enough responsive care at home.
Only half of caregivers who need parenting support in the region receive it.
Around half of all young children in the region experience violent discipline at home.
The region has one of the world’s lowest rates of exclusive breastfeeding.
Children with disabilities are less likely to take part in programmes and services for early childhood development.
Every child comes into this world with vast potential. But their circumstances in their earliest years often determine whether that potential is fulfilled. Many young children in the Europe and Central Asia region lack what they need for the best start in life. As a result, many are left behind at this crucial stage, particularly those from the most disadvantaged families.
There are four key factors that hinder early childhood development:
A lack of support for the nurturing care of young children
Newborn infants increasingly ‘survive’ but do not always ‘thrive’. The risks include a lack of support for positive parenting, economic distress and the poor quality and coverage of basic services.
A lack of access to early childhood education and care
Services for early childhood education and care are critical for young children. Yet almost 7 million young children aged 3 to 6 in the region are not in preschools, and many parents must make tough decisions as they balance caring for their children with the need to earn an income.
A lack of early detection and support for children with disabilities
Services to identify and support young children who have disabilities are chronically underdeveloped in the region. Of an estimated 5 million children with disabilities (one third of them young children), only around 1.5 million are registered as having disabilities. This leaves millions of children unregistered and millions of parents unsupported.
A lack of support for parents
The strong bonds between children and their parents are crucial for a happy and healthy childhood. All new parents need support, but some need extra support to care for their young children. But parents across the region are under pressure because of the long-term disruption triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic; the wider impact of war in Ukraine; climate hazards; and soaring costs for food, fuel and shelter.
Key policies
1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Article 24 obliges States to make sure that everyone, particularly parents and children, has access to information, education and support on child health and nutrition.
2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Article 25 obliges States to provide the health services needed by people with disabilities, including early identification and intervention.
- General comment No. 4 concerns access to early childhood development, care and pre-primary education, and support for parents and caregivers of young children with disabilities.
2015 Sustainable Development Goals
- Target 4.2: All children have access to early childhood development, care and pre-primary education.
What is UNICEF doing?
UNICEF has decades of experience in early childhood development, and we know what it takes to ensure the best start in life for every young child. We work with governments to support children’s health and development, adequate nutrition, and opportunities for early learning and responsive caregiving, as well as their protection.
We help governments to develop and implement strategies, policies and programmes to expand early childhood development services. At the same time, we support the skills of families to provide a loving, supportive and safe environment for their young children.
We support:
- the mainstreaming of early childhood development across different sectors: our ‘3 x 3 strategy’ aims to strengthen links across health, education and social welfare – three sectors that connect to children and their families in the early years.
- nurturing care within health systems, so that parents and young children, particularly those from the most vulnerable groups, have access to high quality health services that nurture children during these crucial years, including support from home-visiting nurses.
- quality inclusive preschool education for every young child to support their learning and development – part of a ‘continuum of care’ from their birth to their first day at primary school.
- early intervention and the inclusion of children with disabilities, including a sharp focus on the abilities of every child – on what they can do with the right support – and on initiatives to transform stigma and discrimination into inclusion and respect.
- UNICEF supports parents, providing them with the timely, high-quality information, guidance and services they need to provide the best possible care for their young children.
Supporting parents: the Bebbo appThe Bebbo mobile app was created by UNICEF to support anyone caring for young children. The app, which is free of charge and has more than 1 million users, provides vital information on child development, nutrition, health, safety and protection, early learning and stimulation. It also shows parents how to look after their own mental health during times of stress. |