Why Early Childhood?
Early Years, Lasting Impact
Quality early childhood care and education (ECCE) isn’t just the right thing to do for children — it’s the foundation for lifelong success. The earliest years are when children’s brains are forming the neural connections that will drive how they learn, act, relate to others and the world. From their very first months, children watch our faces, hear our voices, decode our patterns in speech, and begin to make sense of their surroundings. Studies show that by the time a child is five, 90% of their brain has developed, and that the period between ages one and three are crucial for cognitive and optimal physical growth.
Investing in Nurturing Environments and Early Education
When they enter a learning environment that is nurturing, responsive, and engaging, children flourish. A strong early foundation builds not only academic readiness, but also social skills, emotional resilience, and a love of learning. Ensuring that children have access to high-quality early education not only improves their individual prospects — through academic learning that can lead to better employment prospects — but reaps enormous benefits for communities as a whole. According to UNESCO, every dollar invested in high-quality ECCE returns roughly 13% per year through improved health, economic outcomes, and social cohesion for communities.
According to UNICEF, almost 60% of children in low-income countries do not have access to early care and learning opportunities.
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Urgent Global Challenges
Across the globe, early childhood care and education faces urgent challenges from access to quality care to teacher shortages and funding deficits — often exacerbated by poverty, conflict and displacement. A 2024 report co-published by UNESCO and UNICEF notes that without action, more than 300 million children may never learn to read by 2030. In low-income countries, nearly half of pre-primary teachers lack adequate training, and an estimated $21 billion more is needed each year to meet demand.
Our Solutions to Global Challenges
We know that investing in supporting young children’s lives and learning not only makes sense but is supported by years of research. Closing these gaps in children’s care, education, and wellbeing is at the heart of our mission at Childhood Education International (CE International). Through our consulting and advising services — as well as our publications and course offerings — we help governments, NGOs, educational agencies institutions, and like-minded organizations create and implement cutting-edge and innovative solutions to strengthen early childhood systems and services worldwide.
Our Resources
Alongside our consulting work, CE International acts as a global laboratory — curating, testing, and sharing innovative approaches to early childhood care and education through its centers, initiatives, and publications.