Toolkit guide
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Use it to…
understand ECD system performance and identify gaps
Where to look in this resource
- Tool description (pgs. 3-4);
- Tool's nine priority areas with associated goals overview (pgs. 4-5) followed by breakdown by priority area (Enabling environment for strengthening support for ECD and protection of child rights (pgs. 7-8); Parenting and responsive caregiving (pg. 9); Child health (pgs. 10-11); Nutrition (pgs. 12 -14); Play and learning (pg. 15); Developmental monitoring (pgs. 16-17); Early intervention for children with developmental difficulties (pgs. 18-19); Safety and security (pgs. 20-21); Parental well-being (pgs. 22-23));
- General guidance and steps for using the tool and measuring results (pgs. 24-28) with country-level specific and process advice (pgs. 26-29).
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Early childhood development country situation analysis- Assessment tool and methodological guidance
Area
2.1
Description

The ECD Country Situation Analysis offers a comprehensive framework and step‑by‑step methodology for assessing how countries support early childhood development at national and subnational levels. It examines governance, financing, service delivery, workforce capacity, data systems, and equity considerations across relevant sectors such as health, education, and social protection. The tool promotes participatory and multisectoral analysis, encouraging collaboration among government actors, partners, and stakeholders. Its findings are intended to inform evidence‑based planning, policy reform, and investment decisions.

Brief description
The Early Childhood Development (ECD) Country Situation Analysis is a structured assessment tool developed to help countries systematically review the status of ECD policies, services, and systems. It provides methodological guidance to identify strengths, gaps, and priorities for action across sectors.
Keywords
situation analysis; service mapping; governance assessment; workforce capacity; policy planning
Resource Title
Early Childhood Development Country Situation Analysis
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 1
Use it to…
understand ECD system landscape and identify gaps across sectors
Where to look in this resource
- Tool description (pgs. 3-4);
- Tool's nine priority areas with associated goals overview (pgs. 4-5) followed by breakdown by priority area (Enabling environment for strengthening support for ECD and protection of child rights (pgs. 7-8); Parenting and responsive caregiving (pg. 9); Child health (pgs. 10-11); Nutrition (pgs. 12 -14); Play and learning (pg. 15); Developmental monitoring (pgs. 16-17); Early intervention for children with developmental difficulties (pgs. 18-19); Safety and security (pgs. 20-21); Parental well-being (pgs. 22-23));
- General guidance and steps for using the tool and measuring results (pgs. 24-28) with country-level specific and process advice (pgs. 26-29).
Image
Early childhood development country situation analysis- Assessment tool and methodological guidance
Area
1.1
Description

The ECD Country Situation Analysis offers a comprehensive framework and step‑by‑step methodology for assessing how countries support early childhood development at national and subnational levels. It examines governance, financing, service delivery, workforce capacity, data systems, and equity considerations across relevant sectors such as health, education, and social protection. The tool promotes participatory and multisectoral analysis, encouraging collaboration among government actors, partners, and stakeholders. Its findings are intended to inform evidence‑based planning, policy reform, and investment decisions.

Brief description
The Early Childhood Development (ECD) Country Situation Analysis is a structured assessment tool developed to help countries systematically review the status of ECD policies, services, and systems. It provides methodological guidance to identify strengths, gaps, and priorities for action across sectors.
Keywords
situation analysis; service mapping; governance assessment; workforce capacity; policy planning
Resource Title
Early Childhood Development Country Situation Analysis
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 2
Use it to…
identify key actions for developmental monitoring and assessment, including the use of appropriate monitoring tools
Where to look in this resource
Key actions for developmental monitoring and assessment are laid out (pages 11-13), including the use of appropriate developmental monitoring tools.
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Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region
Area
3.2
Description

Comprehensive strategic vision for improving outcomes for young children by promoting healthy development, well-being and equity from pregnancy through the early years. The framework highlights the critical importance of early childhood as a foundation for lifelong health, learning and social participation, and calls for coordinated action across health, education, social care and other sectors to address the wider determinants of child development. It provides guidance for countries to strengthen policies, systems and workforce capacity to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life

Brief description
The Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region outlines a strategic approach to support healthy development, well‑being, and equity for young children across the region. It emphasizes integrated, multisectoral action to ensure all children have the best possible start in life
Keywords
health equity; life-course approach; policy development; child wellbeing; cross-sector collaboration
Resource Title
Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Use it to…
align national ECD strategies across sectors and identify priority actions
Where to look in this resource
The framework highlights the need to review existing harmful practices (page 15) as well as sectors to consider for policy review
Image
Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region
Area
2.1
Description

Comprehensive strategic vision for improving outcomes for young children by promoting healthy development, well-being and equity from pregnancy through the early years. The framework highlights the critical importance of early childhood as a foundation for lifelong health, learning and social participation, and calls for coordinated action across health, education, social care and other sectors to address the wider determinants of child development. It provides guidance for countries to strengthen policies, systems and workforce capacity to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life

Brief description
The Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region outlines a strategic approach to support healthy development, well‑being, and equity for young children across the region. It emphasizes integrated, multisectoral action to ensure all children have the best possible start in life
Keywords
health equity; life-course approach; policy development; child wellbeing; cross-sector collaboration
Resource Title
WHO European Framework on Early Childhood Development
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Use it to…
structure an assessment of whether existing policies address all dimensions of early childhood development, to inform objectives
Where to look in this resource
The framework sets out key action points across areas for policy intervention, including monitoring and surveillance.
Image
Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region
Area
1.3
Description

Comprehensive strategic vision for improving outcomes for young children by promoting healthy development, well-being and equity from pregnancy through the early years. The framework highlights the critical importance of early childhood as a foundation for lifelong health, learning and social participation, and calls for coordinated action across health, education, social care and other sectors to address the wider determinants of child development. It provides guidance for countries to strengthen policies, systems and workforce capacity to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life

Brief description
The Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region outlines a strategic approach to support healthy development, well‑being, and equity for young children across the region. It emphasizes integrated, multisectoral action to ensure all children have the best possible start in life
Keywords
health equity; life-course approach; policy development; child wellbeing; cross-sector collaboration
Resource Title
WHO European Framework on Early Childhood Development
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 1-4
Use it to…
identify key areas for action for evidence-based early childhood development, nutrition and physical health
Where to look in this resource
Pages 1-11 highlight the background and key areas for action for development, nutrition and physical health, to support the case for ECD policies
Image
Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region
Area
1.1
Description

Comprehensive strategic vision for improving outcomes for young children by promoting healthy development, well-being and equity from pregnancy through the early years. The framework highlights the critical importance of early childhood as a foundation for lifelong health, learning and social participation, and calls for coordinated action across health, education, social care and other sectors to address the wider determinants of child development. It provides guidance for countries to strengthen policies, systems and workforce capacity to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life

Brief description
The Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region outlines a strategic approach to support healthy development, well‑being, and equity for young children across the region. It emphasizes integrated, multisectoral action to ensure all children have the best possible start in life
Keywords
health equity; life-course approach; policy development; child wellbeing; cross-sector collaboration
Resource Title
Framework on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 2
Use it to…
see how to embed new initiatives within routine services that families already use, while ensuring alignment with education and social protection systems
Where to look in this resource
Chapter 5 sets out areas for policy intervention across the health, education and social care sectors.
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The Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development
Area
3.1
Description

The Nurturing Care Framework (NCF) provides an evidence-based roadmap for supporting early childhood development. It outlines the policies, services and supportive environments needed to help parents and caregivers provide nurturing care and ensure children reach their full developmental potential. The framework emphasises five key components of nurturing care: good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, opportunities for early learning, and safety and security

Brief description
The Nurturing Care Framework draws on state-of-the-art evidence on how early childhood development unfolds to set out the most effective policies and services that will help parents and caregivers provide nurturing care for infants and young children.
Keywords
nurturing care; responsive caregiving; child wellbeing; multisectoral policy; systems strengthening
Resource Title
Nurturing Care Framework
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 1
Use it to…
identify key stakeholders for ECD
Where to look in this resource
Page 43 highlights key stakeholders for ECD
Image
The Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development
Area
2.3
Description

The Nurturing Care Framework (NCF) provides an evidence-based roadmap for supporting early childhood development. It outlines the policies, services and supportive environments needed to help parents and caregivers provide nurturing care and ensure children reach their full developmental potential. The framework emphasises five key components of nurturing care: good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, opportunities for early learning, and safety and security

Brief description
The Nurturing Care Framework draws on state-of-the-art evidence on how early childhood development unfolds to set out the most effective policies and services that will help parents and caregivers provide nurturing care for infants and young children.
Keywords
nurturing care; responsive caregiving; child wellbeing; multisectoral policy; systems strengthening
Resource Title
Nurturing Care Framework for ECD
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Use it to…
identify entry points for core aspects of early childhood development
Where to look in this resource
Chapter one includes the aims of the WHO and UNICEF framework to support ECD policies, which can be used to support creation of policy entry points
Image
The Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development
Area
2.1
Description

The Nurturing Care Framework (NCF) provides an evidence-based roadmap for supporting early childhood development. It outlines the policies, services and supportive environments needed to help parents and caregivers provide nurturing care and ensure children reach their full developmental potential. The framework emphasises five key components of nurturing care: good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, opportunities for early learning, and safety and security

Brief description
The Nurturing Care Framework draws on state-of-the-art evidence on how early childhood development unfolds to set out the most effective policies and services that will help parents and caregivers provide nurturing care for infants and young children.
Keywords
nurturing care; responsive caregiving; child wellbeing; multisectoral policy; systems strengthening
Resource Title
Nurturing Care Framework
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Use it to…
identify focus areas to support ECD and address potential barriers to healthy development
Where to look in this resource
Pages 18-21 outline areas for intervention to support ECD, addressing potential risks to healthy development
Image
The Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development
Area
1.3
Description

The Nurturing Care Framework (NCF) provides an evidence-based roadmap for supporting early childhood development. It outlines the policies, services and supportive environments needed to help parents and caregivers provide nurturing care and ensure children reach their full developmental potential. The framework emphasises five key components of nurturing care: good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, opportunities for early learning, and safety and security

Brief description
The Nurturing Care Framework draws on state-of-the-art evidence on how early childhood development unfolds to set out the most effective policies and services that will help parents and caregivers provide nurturing care for infants and young children.
Keywords
nurturing care; responsive caregiving; child wellbeing; multisectoral policy; systems strengthening
Resource Title
Nurturing care framework for ECD