The right to a strong foundation Global Report on early childhood care and education

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Global report on early childhood care and education The first global report on early childhood care and education (ECCE), jointly published by UNESCO and UNICEF, offers insights into global and regional ECCE trends. The report, which is a key response to the commitments outlined in the Tashkent Declaration, synthesizes scientific evidence on ECCE’s importance, and exposes persistence gaps in policy and investment. It illustrates how countries have responded to providing equitable and quality ECCE opportunities. 10 June 2024 Last update: 27 February 2026 Global report on early childhood care and education: the right to a strong foundation UNESCO United Nations Children's Fund 2024 Available in... English French Portuguese Spanish Read the highlights open_in_new Building a strong foundation through early childhood care and education Inclusive and quality early childhood care and education (ECCE) are vital for promoting school readiness, foundational learning, and lifelong well-being. Yet almost 60% of children in low-income countries do not have access to early care and learning opportunities. To meet national targets of providing at least one year of organized learning before primary school, low-income and lower-middle-income countries must fill an annual financial gap of USD 21 billion and recruit at least six million more educators before 2030. The world is not on track in meeting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 4.2 committing countries to ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education by 2030. There is solid scientific evidence that early opportunities matter for child development outcomes. But inequalities start early and persist throughout life. Many children around the world, especially those living in low-income countries and facing disadvantage, do not have access and exposure to quality care and learning experiences early in life that prepare them for school success and foundational learning. Access to quality Early Childhood Care and Education matters for building a strong foundation and flourishing throughout life. © UNESCO The call to transform education must begin with the youngest children. This report is in response to a commitment in the Tashkent Declaration and Commitments to Action for Transforming Early Childhood Care and Education in which governments and the international community reaffirmed their commitment to the right to education, beginning with the youngest children. The report is the first in a biennial series dedicated to monitoring achievement of SDG Target 4.2. This edition explores how children learn and develop and how the key actors in children’s early environments – parents, families, educators and the community at large – can be leveraged through public policies and social programmes to improve young children’s learning and wellbeing. #EducationStartsEarly New UNESCO global report highlights critical role of early childhood care and education Tashkent Declaration and Commitments to Action for Transforming Early Childhood… More on early childhood care and education Share Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Copied to clipboard Related items Education Early childhood education Topics: Display Topics: Key publication More on this subject Event Manila to host major Ocean Science Conference as UN Decade enters final stretch — Proposals now open 20 April 2027 Event UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Develop