Toolkit guide
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Best practices
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 2
Use it to…
understand multisectoral involvement in holistic early childhood development policy
Where to look in this resource
Can be used as a promising practice example to inform early childhood legislation and policy.
Area
2.2
Description

The resource outlines Iceland's Prosperity Act (No. 86/2021), implemented in 2022, which aims to provide access to services for children and parents.

Brief description
The UNESCO case study describes Iceland's Prosperity Act and its whole-system approach to supporting children and families.
Country
Iceland
Keywords
child rights; integrated services; legislative reform; cross-sector governance; wellbeing promotion
Pdf file
ICELAND.pdf (236.36 KB)
Resource Title
Iceland’s Prosperity Act
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 1,3
Use it to…
inform policy and make the case for investment in ECD and monitoring
Where to look in this resource
Data can be used to inform policy, compare across countries and make the case for investment areas in ECD as well as for monitoring where data is currently unavailable
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Countdown to 2030: Country profiles on early childhood development
Area
1.1
Description

Produced by UNICEF and updated every two years, the country profiles set out key data (where available) in relation to early childhood development, including threats to ECD, children at risk of poor development, and support and services available

Brief description
The country profiles set out key data in relation to early childhood development, as part of developing global accountability and monitoring.
Keywords
country profiles; indicator data; accountability; monitoring framework; comparative analysis
Resource Title
Countdown to 2030: Country profiles on early childhood development
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Best practices
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 1-3
Use it to…
identify recommendations for ECD policy based on evidence from across Europe
Where to look in this resource
-Pages 8-9 set out key recommendations and summary of findings from across European countries
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Early Childhood Development: subreport of Children's Realities in Europe: Progress and Gaps.
Area
2.3
Description

Drawing on evidence across Europe, the report highlights progress and challenges in ECD. Key findings include the need for a national, integrated approach, the need for social protection, tackling child poverty and the need for investment in children's early years, and access to quality early childhood education and care (ECEC). Recommendations are included for governments to strengthen support for children and families.

Brief description
This report reviews policies, challenges, and opportunities in early childhood development across Europe, with recommendations to improve access to quality services and reduce inequalities for young children
Keywords
child poverty; social protection; integrated policy; service access; inequalities
Resource Title
Early Childhood Development: sub-report of Children's Realities in Europe: Progress and Gaps.
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 2
Use it to…
review accuracy and feasibility of a range of ECD outcome measurement tools
Where to look in this resource
-The results include a heat map of accuracy and feasibility ratings for each measurement tool as well as an overview of each tool assessed
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Rating early child development outcome measurement tools for routine health programme use.
Area
3.2
Description

In this analysis, 27 tools for early childhood development outcome measurement (25 individual and 2 population-level tools) were rated across a range of accuracy and feasibility criteria

Brief description
This paper assesses the accuracy and feasibility of ECD measurement tools
Keywords
measurement tools; developmental assessment; tool selection; feasibility analysis; outcome monitoring
Resource Title
Rating early child development outcome measurement tools for routine health programme use.
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Tools & Frameworks
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 1
Use it to…
understand the importance of early childhood mental health to facilitate healthy emotional development and lifelong health and economic prosperity
Where to look in this resource
-Part 1 makes the case for the importance of early childhood mental health in order to facilitate healthy emotional development and lifelong health and economic prosperity
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Understanding and Supporting Mental Health in Infancy and Early Childhood - a Toolkit to Support Local Action in the UK.
Area
1.1
Description

Produced by UNICEF UK and the University of Cambridge, the toolkit aims to highlight the importance of mental health in early childhood, and support decision makers to develop system-wide resources to support mental health throughout the life course

Brief description
A toolkit to support a shared understanding of mental health in early childhood
Keywords
infant mental health; emotional development; system-wide action; prevention; wellbeing promotion
Resource Title
Understanding and Supporting Mental Health in Infancy and Early Childhood - a Toolkit to Support Local Action in the UK.
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Best practices
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 3
Use it to…
see an example of shifting responsibility of developmental checks from the health visitor network in early years to the education system from 3 years onwards
Where to look in this resource
-Section 1 outlines the role of health visitors in prenatal and child health care, including assessments of physical health and child development. -Section 2 includes the role of health visitors in social care.
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The health visitor network in Hungary: a unique system in Europe
Area
2.2
Description

This review describes how Hungary's health visitors deliver services across the life course, including pregnancy support, maternal and child health care, health promotion, home visiting, and adolescent health.

Brief description
This paper reviews Hungary's national health visitor system, highlighting its role in delivering universal maternal and child health services through community-based preventive care.
Country
Hungary
Keywords
health visiting; preventive care; maternal health; home visiting; community outreach
Pdf file
Resource Title
Hungary’s developmental checks from 0 to 3 years
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
Best practices
Language
EN
Relevant actions
Action 3
Use it to…
understand how to implement the European Child Guarantee through a comprehensive policy framework with coordinated action across sectors
Where to look in this resource
-Pages 19-21 highlight governance across sectors. - Pages 22-28 set out objectives. Pages 29-31 set out measures for improvement. Pages 46-48 outline implementation, monitoring and evaluation
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Spanish Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs Agenda 2030. Children with Rights: National Action Plan to Implement the European Child Guarantee (2022-2030).
Area
2.3
Description

The National Action Plan to implement the European Child Guarantee sets out Spain's policy framework designed to reduce child poverty and ensure equitable access to education, childcare, health, nutrition, and housing for vulnerable children through coordinated action across sectors

Brief description
The Action Plan highlights Spain's national strategy for implementation of the European Child Guarantee
Keywords
child poverty reduction; policy implementation; intersectoral governance; monitoring framework; equitable access
Resource Title
Children with Rights: National Action Plan to Implement the European Child Guarantee (2022-2030) - Spanish Ministry of Social Rights
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
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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The Dutch Solid Start program: describing the implementation and experiences of the program’s first thousand days
Area
2.3
Description

The paper examines how the Netherlands implemented its national Solid Start programme, which aims to improve outcomes during the first 1,000 days of life, particularly for families experiencing vulnerability. A key aim was to improve collaboration between the medical and social sectors via Solid Start coalitions.

Brief description
This paper highlights key enablers and challenges for professionals involved in the Dutch Solid Start programme
Keywords
first 1000 days; integrated services; coalition building; vulnerable families; implementation lessons
Resource Title
The Dutch Solid Start programme: describing the implementation and experiences of the programme’s first thousand days
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
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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Innocenti Report Card 19: Child Well-Being in an Unpredictable World
Area
1.1
Description

The UNICEF Innocenti report card presents and analyses trends in child physical and mental health over a 5-year period (2018-2022) across 43 EU/OECD countries. Trends in social, emotional and digital skills are also included, as well as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on academic skills. Additionally, a framework of child wellbeing is included, showing the child within their wider systemic context.

Brief description
The report card sets out trends in child health and wellbeing from 2018-2022 across 43 EU/OECD countries and shares a framework of child wellbeing based on ecological theories of child development.
Keywords
child wellbeing; comparative data; inequalities; outcome monitoring; international benchmarking
Resource Title
Innocenti Report Card 19: Child Well-Being in an Unpredictable World
Topic
ECD
Tools & Frameworks
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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WHO pocketbook of primary health care for children and adolescents
Area
2.3
Description

The pocketbook sets out guidelines for primary healthcare providers caring for children and young people. This includes the WHO quality of care standards for children and adolescents, guidance on delivering care for vulnerable groups, and relevant principles from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Brief description
A comprehensive guide to primary healthcare for children, aimed at healthcare professionals. Topics include Well child visits, screening and monitoring, and early child development
Keywords
well-child visits; developmental milestones; coordinated care; screening guidance; child rights
Resource Title
WHO pocketbook of primary health care for children and adolescents