Toolkit guide

Summary of conditions contributing to developmental delays or difficulties [1.1]

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 1-2
Use it to…
understand the conditions and wider factors that may contribute to developmental delays in young children and how to assess these
Where to look in this resource
Highlights key areas to consider when mapping groups most likely to be affected by risks to development
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P6OgI3qHKl6TnB8NE5yS57doICqcNxf3/edit?usp=d…
Area
1.1
Description

Conceptualises a life-course understanding of contributing factors to developmental difficulties and highlights the need to understand the distribution of children affected

Brief description
Summary of key biological and psychosocial factors contributing to developmental delay or disability
Keywords
developmental delay; disability; life course; psychosocial factors; protective factors
Resource Title
Summary of conditions contributing to developmental delays or difficulties

UNICEF Early Childhood Intervention technical resources [1.1]

Topic
ECI
Tools & Frameworks
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
UNICEF Early Childhood Intervention Technical Resources
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://knowledge.unicef.org/resource/technical-resources-early-childhood-inter…
Area
1.1
Description

In addition to guidance and policy briefs, the resource provides video overviews and webinars to outline the scientific evidence, guide to situational analysis, and case studies for ECI interventions

Brief description
UNICEF resource including video guidance, webinars and e-learning platform to support professionals designing and implementing ECI services
Keywords
family-centred services; Inclusive services; practitioner competencies; cross-sector policy planning; e-learning
Resource Title
UNICEF Early Childhood Intervention technical resources

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

Topic
Parenting support
Tools & Frameworks
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
Croatia's Growing Up Together Programme
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://www.rastimozajedno.hr/en/
Area
2.2
Description

The programme, delivered by the Centre for Parenting Support, provides evidence-informed parenting support and coordinated referral pathways, with additional tailored support for vulnerable groups

Brief description
Universal parenting programme with tailored workshops for families of children with developmental delays, disabilities and other vulnerabilities
Country
Croatia
Keywords
parental empowerment; family-centred care; workshop-based support; tailored interventions; service referral pathways
Pdf file
Croatia-Growing-Up-together_0.pdf (214.3 KB)
Resource Title
Croatia’s ‘Growing Up Together Programme’

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

Topic
ECI
Tools & Frameworks
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
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://www.eurlyaid.eu/eciguidebook-englishversion/
Area
2.2
Description

SNIPI is a legislated national system jointly overseen by the Ministries of Education, Health and Social Policy. Local multidisciplinary teams coordinate early identification, referral, intervention planning and family support using a family-centred approach.

Brief description
National early childhood intervention system providing integrated support for children aged 0-6 years with, or at risk of, developmental delays and disabilities
Country
Portugal
Keywords
multidisciplinary teams; care coordination; developmental monitoring; family-centred care; cross-sector collaboration
Pdf file
Portugal's-National-Early-Childhood-Intervention-System-(SNIPI)_0.pdf (209.34 KB)
Resource Title
Portugal’s National Early Childhood Intervention System (SNIPI)

Improving Early Childhood Development: WHO Guideline [1.2]

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
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.
Improving Early Childhood Development: WHO Guideline
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/97892400020986
Area
1.2
Description

Provides guidance for supporting child development through caregiver support, responsive care, early learning opportunities, nutrition interventions and maternal mental health services.

Brief description
WHO guideline providing recommendations to strengthen policies and programmes that support healthy child development in the early years
Keywords
responsive caregiving; maternal mental health; early learning; caregiver support; clinical guidance
Resource Title
Improving Early Childhood Development: WHO Guideline

The role of the health sector in Early Childhood Development. In: Handbook of Early Childhood Development Research and its impact on global policy [1.2]

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Use it to…
sets out actions for the health sector to provide universal and targeted interventions for ECD, as well as case study examples
Where to look in this resource
Supports evidence building, policy development, governance, financing, workforce development and programme implementation
The role of the health sector in Early Childhood Development. In: Handbook of Early Childhood Development Research and its impact on global policy
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://academic.oup.com/book/12096
Area
1.2
Description

Brings together international evidence on child development and explores how research can inform policy and programme design.

Brief description
Comprehensive reference synthesising evidence on child development and its implications for policy, programmes, financing and systems development
Keywords
evidence-based policy; systems strengthening; programme design; child rights; public investment
Resource Title
The role of the health sector in Early Childhood Development. In: Handbook of Early Childhood Development Research and its impact on global policy

Operationalising nurturing care for early childhood development: the role of the health sector alongside other sectors and actors [1.2]

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Use it to…
a guide to strengthen health service delivery and wider systems in order to operationalise the Nurturing Care Framework
Where to look in this resource
Supports policy implementation, multisectoral governance, identifying health sector entry points and service design
Operationalising nurturing care for early childhood development: the role of the health sector alongside other sectors and actors
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241516471
Area
1.2
Description

Builds on the Nurturing Care Framework and focuses on strengthening health services while outlining complementary actions across sectors. It supports countries to operationalise nurturing care through systems strengthening and coordinated service delivery

Brief description
Practical guidance for ministries, policymakers and partners on implementing nurturing care
Keywords
nurturing care; health systems; responsive caregiving; multisectoral action; service integration
Resource Title
Operationalising nurturing care for early childhood development: the role of the health sector alongside other sectors and actors

Italy’s Primi Passi programme [2.3]

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Best practices
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 3
Use it to…
understand how to use the European Social Fund to design an intervention for ECD founded in Nurturing Care Framework principles and using a cross-sectoral approach
Where to look in this resource
An example of policy design using the European Social Fund and based on the Nurturing Care Framework, with an equity focus and strong evaluation component
Health Area
Early childhood development
Area
2.3
Description

Four-year national programme funded through the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies and European Social Fund. Implements home visiting, responsive parenting activities, and cross-sector collaboration, prioritising vulnerable families and disadvantaged regions

Brief description
Italy's new early childhood development and parenting support programme for the first 1,000 days of life
Keywords
home visiting; first 1000 days; responsive caregiving; community-based services; multisector coordination
Resource Title
Italy’s Primi Passi programme

Scotland’s Family Nurse Partnership model [2.2]

Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Best practices
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 8-9
Use it to…
understand how a targeted, intensive home visiting programme can be implemented for young families
Where to look in this resource
To understand how a specialist home visiting programme can be successfully implemented and expanded
Health Area
Early childhood development
Area
2.2
Description

A structured programme delivered by nurses and midwives with additional specialist training, this family-centred model has been shown to have a high rate of uptake and to improve outcomes

Brief description
Intensive programme of home visiting for a child's first 1001 days of life, designed to support young first-time parents
Country
Scotland
Keywords
home visiting; nurse-led support; first 1001 days; vulnerable families; continuity of care
Pdf file
Scotland_family-Nurse-partnership.pdf (167.58 KB)
Resource Title
Scotland’s Family Nurse Partnership model

Spain’s Quality Framework for Early Childhood Intervention Services [2.3]

Topic
Early intervention
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Use it to…
provides a practical example of how national quality standards, governance, funding, and evaluation can improve access to equitable, integrated early childhood intervention services and reduce waiting times
Where to look in this resource
To understand how to implement the European Child Guarantee through a comprehensive policy framework
Health Area
Early childhood development
Link
https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/gobierno/news/paginas/2025/20250131-early-…
Area
2.3
Description

Establishes a family-centred ECI model delivered in children's natural environments, with developmental assessment, waiting-time targets, quality standards, financing mechanisms, and cross-sector governance involving health, education, and social services

Brief description
National quality framework setting standards for timely, universal, publicly funded early childhood intervention services for children aged 0-6 years
Keywords
quality standards; developmental assessment; waiting times; public financing; service integration
Pdf file
Spain's-Quality-Framework-for-Early-Childhood-intervention-Services.pdf (285.32 KB)
Resource Title
Spain’s Quality Framework for Early Childhood Intervention Services
Early childhood development