Toolkit guide

Resources

Frameworks, guidance and monitoring tools to support each stage of policy work.

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Showing 180 of 247 resources
Studies
ECD Factsheet on Developmental Surveillance [1.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Improving Early Childhood Development: WHO Guideline [1.2]
Tools & Frameworks
10 Steps to the Development of an ECI System [2.3]
Tools & Frameworks
Supporting Families for Nurturing Care: Resource Modules for Home Visitors [2.1]
Studies
Supporting parents and caregivers: mapping and scoping review of experiences in Europe and central Asia – WHO [1.1]
Best practices
Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) [2.2]
Best practices
Ireland’s First 5 Strategy [2.3]
Studies
ECD factsheet on developmental difficulties [1.3]
Best practices
Portugal’s National Early Childhood Intervention System (SNIPI) [2.2]
Tools & Frameworks
10 Steps to the Development of an ECI System – Roadmap [3.1]
Best practices
Strengthening Integrated Parenting Support Systems [2.2]
Studies
Supporting parents and caregivers: mapping and scoping review (WHO) [1.3]
Best practices
WHO pocketbook of primary health care for children and adolescents [2.3]
Best practices
Parenting Support Framework for the Early Years [2.3]
Studies
Missed Opportunities: Impact of COVID-19 on ECD in the WHO European Region [1.1]
Best practices
Croatia’s ‘Growing Up Together Programme’ [2.2]
Tools & Frameworks
Quality standards for ECI service provision [1.3]
Tools & Frameworks
Playbook on Digital Innovation for Supporting Families: A framework for transformative digital support to parents [2.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Resource package and training modules for promoting gender-responsive parenting [2.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Innocenti Report Card 19: Child Well-Being in an Unpredictable World [1.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Policy Brief on Building a Sustainable and Inclusive ECI System [2.3]
Tools & Frameworks
Monitoring Children’s Development through Primary Health Care in Europe and Central Asia [1.1]
Tools & Frameworks
UNICEF Early Childhood Intervention technical resources [1.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Quality Standards for ECI Service Provision [2.1]
Best practices
Selected models of ECI [2.2]
Tools & Frameworks
2023 Global Burden of Disease [1.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Nurturing Care Framework for ECD [1.1]
Best practices
The Dutch Solid Start programme: describing the implementation and experiences of the programme’s first thousand days [2.3]
Best practices
Portugal’s National Early Childhood Intervention System [3.1]
Tools & Frameworks
Monitoring children’s development through primary health care in Europe and Central Asia [1.3]

ECD Factsheet on Developmental Surveillance [1.1]

ECD Factsheet on Developmental Difficulties
  • Topic: Early Detection
  • Typology: Studies
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 4

Use it to…

understand prevalence of developmental difficulties, key challenges and system-level actions to enhance early detection of developmental risks

Where to look in this resource

The factsheet highlights the prevalence of developmental difficulties, offering evidence to support the case for strong ECD policies. Recommendations are summarised for interventions such as parental support, workforce training and developmental monitoring, to help focus areas for intervention.

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Improving Early Childhood Development: WHO Guideline [1.2]

Improving Early Childhood Development: WHO Guideline
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

sets out guidance for caregivers, professionals and policymakers for strengthening support for early childhood development

Where to look in this resource

Supports responsive parenting interventions, workforce guidance, primary healthcare services and implementation planning.

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10 Steps to the Development of an ECI System [2.3]

10 steps to the development of an Early Childhood Intervention System: Roadmap
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1-3

Use it to…

define service navigation functions, multidisciplinary team roles and workforce competencies as core system functions

Where to look in this resource

The roadmap describes the implementation of ECI systems in later steps: identifying stakeholders to outline governance and financing pathways (e.g., how healthcare, education and social services and ministries are involved). down to specific components of an ECI service (e.g.,. referral pathways, roles of ECI teams)

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Supporting Families for Nurturing Care: Resource Modules for Home Visitors [2.1]

Supporting Families for Nurturing Care: Resource Modules for Home Visitors
  • Topic: Parenting support
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

access resources to support development of content for home visiting as a universal parenting support approach

Where to look in this resource

Offers resources to support development of content for home visiting as a universal parenting support approach

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Supporting parents and caregivers: mapping and scoping review of experiences in Europe and central Asia – WHO [1.1]

Supporting parents and caregivers: mapping and scoping review of experiences in Europe and Central Asia - WHO
  • Topic: Parental support
  • Typology: Studies
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 3

Use it to…

benchmark and identify gaps in provision for parenting support

Where to look in this resource

A review of evidence on parenting programmes, highlighting those with a solid evidence base which may be helpful in identifying the breadth of services available in order to tailor specific services to need in a country context. Also helpful in terms of benchmarking, gap analysis and cross country learning. Case studies of parenting programmes, pages 19-22.

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Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) [2.2]

Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC)
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 3

Use it to…

understand how a national framework and National Practice Model can achieve a multi-agency approach to ECD, by supporting professionals to assess child well-being indicators during routine contacts

Where to look in this resource

- Overview of the approach, principles, policy actions and framework of GIRFEC

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Ireland’s First 5 Strategy [2.3]

Ireland's first five strategy
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1-4

Use it to…

understand how roles can be formally defined across ministries, with primary health care positioned as a central delivery and coordination platform within a broader multisectoral system.

Where to look in this resource

Pages 21-27 outline the context and importance of supporting ECD, as well as the strategic vision. Objectives 1 and 2 set out approaches to parental support and the need for resources and services for parents. Objective 3 sets out the context and interventions to address inequalities related to poverty and discrimination. Objectives 4-6 highlight the need for healthcare interventions to support physical and mental health. Goal D (pages 104-115) sets out areas to consider for effective implementation, including governance, workforce and monitoring. Pages 117-122 set out specific actions for implementation, while pages 122-171 outline specific strategic actions across the objectives

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ECD factsheet on developmental difficulties [1.3]

ECD Factsheet on Developmental Difficulties
  • Topic: Early Detection
  • Typology: Studies
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

use recommendations to identify focus areas for intervention

Where to look in this resource

The factsheet highlights the prevalence of developmental difficulties, offering evidence to support the case for strong ECD policies. Recommendations are summarised for interventions such as parental support, workforce training and developmental monitoring, to help focus areas for intervention.

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

  • Topic: ECI
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 5-6

Use it to…

understand the characteristics of a successful ECI system

Where to look in this resource

A promising practice example of a cross-sectoral approach to ECI, accessible to all

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10 Steps to the Development of an ECI System – Roadmap [3.1]

10 steps to the development of an Early Childhood Intervention System: Roadmap
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1-3

Use it to…

identify steps and sequencing for implementation

Where to look in this resource

In the final steps, the roadmap describes how quality standards are established (e.g., via workforce development) and evaluated.

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Strengthening Integrated Parenting Support Systems [2.2]

  • Topic: Parenting support
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 7-10

Use it to…

familiarise with models, good practices and lessons from Europe, Central Asia and beyond

Where to look in this resource

Offers examples of best practice to support identification of solutions for policymakers

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Supporting parents and caregivers: mapping and scoping review (WHO) [1.3]

Supporting parents and caregivers: mapping and scoping review of experiences in Europe and Central Asia - WHO
  • Topic: Parental support
  • Typology: Studies
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

it provides an evidence base to inform selection and adaptation of parenting support approaches suited to national contexts and capacities.

Where to look in this resource

This review categorises parenting support programmes by the evidence base and provides information on resourcing and programme delivery, helping policy makers to develop evidence based objectives, inform resource allocation and adapt models for country specific contexts. Pages 9-16.

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WHO pocketbook of primary health care for children and adolescents [2.3]

WHO pocketbook of primary health care for children and adolescents
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1-4

Use it to…

see best practice principles for delivering primary healthcare, including ECD, early detection and monitoring, and managing developmental difficulties

Where to look in this resource

-Section 1 sets out principles for care including children's rights and care for those in vulnerable situations. -Section 3 contains guidance on Well-child visits to monitor children's growth and development. Section 4 covers early childhood development, monitoring growth and development, and developmental milestones. Section 7 includes guidance on co-ordinating care for children with complex needs and managing developmental difficulties.

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Parenting Support Framework for the Early Years [2.3]

Parenting Support Framework for the Early Years
  • Topic: Parental support
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1

Use it to…

define the professionals most suitable for delivering parenting support at different levels of intensity

Where to look in this resource

Framework for multi-sectoral support for parents

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Missed Opportunities: Impact of COVID-19 on ECD in the WHO European Region [1.1]

Missed opportunities: The unknown impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early childhood development in the WHO European region
  • Topic: Early Detection
  • Typology: Studies
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 4

Use it to…

understand how disruptions to health services can lead to widespread missed opportunities for early detection

Where to look in this resource

Highlights how disruptions to health services can lead to widespread missed opportunities for early detection, strengthening the case for resilient system design and the need for intervention

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Croatia’s ‘Growing Up Together Programme’ [2.2]

Croatia's Growing Up Together Programme
  • Topic: Parenting support
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 7-8

Use it to…

see how universal and targeted parenting offers are connected through referral pathways.

Where to look in this resource

An example of a national parenting support programme promoting family-centred early childhood intervention to empower parents

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Quality standards for ECI service provision [1.3]

Quality Standards for Early Childhood Intervention Service Provision
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

guide policy objectives to ensure quality, evidence-based ECI systems; develop a national ECI system considering key aspects required

Where to look in this resource

The standards highlight key aspects of a ECI system, which can be used to guide policy objectives to develop a national ECI system (p.10, p.11).

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Playbook on Digital Innovation for Supporting Families: A framework for transformative digital support to parents [2.1]

Playbook on Digital Innovation for Supporting Families:. A framework for transformative digital support to parents
  • Topic: Parenting support
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

inform innovative, digital solutions to provide parenting support to families with young children

Where to look in this resource

Informs innovative, digital solutions to provide parenting support to families with young children.

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Resource package and training modules for promoting gender-responsive parenting [2.1]

Resource package and training modules for promoting gender-responsive parenting
  • Topic: Parental support
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

it supports translation of gender‑responsive policy commitments into practical service delivery and workforce development.

Where to look in this resource

This training package is a helpful resource for countries to utilise to support addressing gender-transformative parenting as a part of the everyday practice of the critical frontline workers and implementers of different types of parenting programmes

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Innocenti Report Card 19: Child Well-Being in an Unpredictable World [1.1]

Innocenti Report Card 19: Child Well-Being in an Unpredictable World
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1

Use it to…

understand and use data on child health and well-being trends

Where to look in this resource

-Page 8 sets out a framework for child wellbeing and the wider systems and stakeholders that influence this. -Pages 14-55 contain trends regarding child physical and mental health and skills, as well as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. -Page 55-62 set out recommendations for improving child wellbeing, including addressing inequalities

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Policy Brief on Building a Sustainable and Inclusive ECI System [2.3]

Building a sustainable and inclusive Early Childhood Intervention system: Policy brief
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 2-4

Use it to…

identify policy levers for key ECD service-design principles of improving inclusiveness, family‑centred approaches, cross‑sectoral coordination, and long‑term sustainability.

Where to look in this resource

It supports policymakers to select policy priorities by providing a justification of the importance of ECI (p.4) and what a family-centred ECI service requires (p.5-6)

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Monitoring Children’s Development through Primary Health Care in Europe and Central Asia [1.1]

Monitoring children’s development through primary health care in Europe and Central Asia
  • Topic: Early Detection
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 3

Use it to…

assess readiness of primary health care systems to provide effective developmental monitoring and facilitate appropriate support to children at risk of developmental difficulties.

Where to look in this resource

Chapter 1 outlines the importance of developmental monitoring and the key role of the health sector, to support evidence building and identification of policy objectives. Chapter 3.1 identifies practices across countries in Europe and Central Asia, to allow identification of best practices. Chapter 3.2 - 3.6 outlines recommendations for practical implementation including selection of monitoring tools, financing and workforce as well as governance and evaluation.

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UNICEF Early Childhood Intervention technical resources [1.1]

UNICEF Early Childhood Intervention Technical Resources
  • Topic: ECI
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 3

Use it to…

understand essential aspects of an ECI service (timely, inclusive, and family-centred early intervention)

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

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Quality Standards for ECI Service Provision [2.1]

Quality Standards for Early Childhood Intervention Service Provision
  • Topic: Early Intervention
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

identify priorities and entry points for developing a national ECI system

Where to look in this resource

The standards highlight key aspects of a ECI system, which can be used to identify priorities and entry points for developing a national ECI system (p.10, p.11). Australia is cited as an example, where the standards developed focused on developing five key aspects of an ECI service: family-centred practice, access and engagement, outcomes for children and families, inclusion and participation, and organisational performance

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Selected models of ECI [2.2]

Selected ECI Models
  • Topic: ECI
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 5

Use it to…

understand how national early childhood intervention systems in selected countries are organised to deliver evidence-based policies and set up family-centred services for children with developmental difficulties and their families

Where to look in this resource

Understand how national early childhood intervention systems in selected countries are organised to deliver evidence-based, family-centred services to children with developmental difficulties and their families

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2023 Global Burden of Disease [1.1]

2023 Global Burden of Disease (GBD)
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1

Use it to…

situate national-level data and understand a country’s needs

Where to look in this resource

- Child mortality statistics in Eastern European countries (pg. 11) - Child growth failure statistics, general (pg. 13)

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Nurturing Care Framework for ECD [1.1]

The Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Actions 1-4

Use it to…

understand five core aspects of early child development that can underpin a strategic ECD policy approach

Where to look in this resource

Chapter two outlines evidence supporting the need to support ECD for lifelong health and for economic prosperity, as well as the risks to development and the impact these can have.

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The Dutch Solid Start programme: describing the implementation and experiences of the programme’s first thousand days [2.3]

The Dutch Solid Start program: describing the implementation and experiences of the program’s first thousand days
  • Topic: ECD
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 1

Use it to…

identify lessons for implementation from the Solid Start programme, particularly in relation to collaboration across sectors

Where to look in this resource

-The background highlights the context of the Solid Start programme. The results identify key positive experiences and barriers encountered. -The discussion explores key lessons from the implementation of Solid Start which can inform ongoing work and policy development

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Portugal’s National Early Childhood Intervention System [3.1]

  • Topic: ECI
  • Typology: Best practices
  • Language: EN

Relevant actions: Action 2

Use it to…

understand how a national ECI service can be embedded across sectors

Where to look in this resource

A promising practice example of a cross-sectoral approach to ECI, accessible to all

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Monitoring children’s development through primary health care in Europe and Central Asia [1.3]

Monitoring children’s development through primary health care in Europe and Central Asia
  • Topic: Early Detection
  • Typology: Tools & Frameworks
  • Language: EN

Use it to…

can be used to inform the introduction of developmental monitoring as part of routine health service provision

Where to look in this resource

Chapter 1 outlines the importance of developmental monitoring and the key role of the health sector, to support evidence building and identification of policy objectives. Chapter 3.1 identifies practices across countries in Europe and Central Asia, to allow identification of best practices. Chapter 3.2 - 3.6 outlines recommendations for practical implementation including selection of monitoring tools, financing and workforce as well as governance and evaluation.

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