Early Education and Care in the World Regions

Abstract

There is increasing recognition today that the early years constitute a critical period in the human development cycle. Early education and care has emerged from the private, domestic sphere, and as the foundation stage of life-long education, has become a legitimate focus of state intervention. In terms of volume, early childhood services have expanded steadily in almost all countries (Eastern Europe and Central Asia are temporary exceptions). Early care and education services are available, especially in urban settings, often organized by the public authorities on the assumption that well-trained professionals can provide children with an environment that supports their social, emotional and cognitive development. Preschool provision for children from the age of 4 years now ranges in coverage from 55 to 98 percent across the OECD countries. In the majority world, expansion is greatest for the age group 4–6 years, especially for the children in the year preceding compulsory school, but there is also a growing demand for childcare with a developmental and educational basis. A challenge in the coming years will be for countries to formulate coherent and integrated policies to assist families in the care and education of young children.