Early childhood development (ECD) is increasingly recognized as a critical window to reduce inequality and shape a child’s future. Yet, too many children, don’t receive adequate stimulation at home, experience violent discipline by caregivers, or are unable to attend early childhood education.

The Countdown to 2030 country profiles cover 197 countries and highlight progress made in the field of ECD, as well as the significant gaps remaining – especially in collecting data on the youngest children and measuring services intended to improve nurturing care. The 42 indicators included in the profiles including demographics (4), threats to ECD (8), health (4), nutrition (3), security and safety (5), early learning (4), policies (5), and international conventions (4). Responsive caregiving is a component of the Nurturing Care framework but does not have associated indicators yet.

The country profiles have been prepared by UNICEF in collaboration with the Nurturing Care for Early Childhood Development Metrics Joint Technical Working Group of Countdown to 2030.

The Formative Years brochure summarizes UNICEF’s work on measuring ECD and focuses on key global indicators for monitoring and reporting. It outlines UNICEF’s efforts to enhance measurement tools for SDG monitoring as well as data compilation, analysis and dissemination in vital areas of ECD.