Global experts launch process to identify ‘Smart Buys’ for early childhood
Children learning and having fun with Tanzania Early Childhood Education and Care. Quality preschool services are crucial for a child’s long-term development (Theirworld/Imani Nsamila)
In the first step of a far-reaching process to guide new commitments to tackle the early years crisis, a global panel of experts has identified four “Smart Buys” that leaders can use to change the lives of millions of the world’s youngest children.
As part of the Act For Early Years campaign, the new expert group has been leading research into cost-effective policies and programmes that have worked successfully in various parts of the world, building on proven methodologies from previous initiatives.
They have also identified under-researched areas that need more investigation in coming months, including family support policies and mental health interventions.
The experts and the framework for their research were introduced at an Act For Early Years event in New York during the United Nation General Assembly. Some initial findings from their work were also revealed, including four Smart Buys for Early Childhood Development:
- Early health and nutrition programmes
- Early stimulation programmes
- Quality childcare and preschool services
- Family-friendly policies
The comprehensive research process will continue until the experts’ final analysis is unveiled next year to global leaders and development partners in a Smart Buys for Early Childhood Development catalogue. The findings will be shared with finance ministers at the 2026 World Bank Spring Meetings – ahead of the first-ever International Finance Summit for Early Childhood in 2027, which will bring together governments, development partners, experts, business leaders and civil society to forge bold financing commitments.
But even at this stage, there is clear evidence to guide immediate action that can lead to dramatic progress. Governments that make these strategic early childhood investments can deliver extraordinary results and ensure every child has the best start in life. That’s crucial for half of the world’s under-fives, who are deprived of essential childcare and foundational education and learning.
Leading the panel of experts is Dr Elizabeth M. King, Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Center for Universal Education in the Global Economy and Development program at the Brookings Institution. She said: “The economic case for early childhood investment is compelling and irrefutable. A global campaign grounded in rigorous scientific evidence can provide world leaders with the clarity and confidence needed to make substantial, sustained investments in early years programming.
“I recognise the critical need for a comprehensive synthesis of what we know works, delivered in a format that can influence policy at the highest levels. The group of experts I have assembled represents decades of collective experience in early childhood development, implementation science and policy development.
“Together, we are developing a framework that bridges the gap between research and policy so that global leaders have access to actionable, evidence-based recommendations that can be adapted to diverse cultural and economic contexts.”
Here is more detail on the initial four Smart Buys.
Smart Buy 1: Early health and nutrition programmes
These can have an immediate impact on child survival and healthy development. And the numbers speak for themselves. Comprehensive child health packages including breastfeeding support, vitamin supplementation, immunisation and basic disease management reduce the burden of childhood disease – and cost as little as $4.10 per child under five in sub-Saharan Africa.
Immunisation is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions. Every $1 invested in immunisation can save $21 in healthcare costs and productivity losses, with broader societal benefits reaching $54.
Cash transfers have also shown dramatic impacts on child mortality. A large-scale study in rural Kenya found that one-time, unconditional cash transfers of about $1,000 to poor households led to a 48% reduction in infant mortality and a 45% reduction in deaths among children under five.
Smart Buy 2: Early stimulation programmes
These build the foundations for lifelong learning. Research shows positive, stimulating home environments are central to healthy early development in the first five years of a child’s life.
Effective programmes have demonstrated substantial gains in mothers’ teaching skills and responsive, sensitive parent-child interactions in Jamaica, Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Pakistan, Peru and other countries. These changes support language acquisition, socio-emotional resilience and cognitive growth that last a lifetime.
Smart Buy 3: Quality childcare and preschool services
High-quality early childhood care and preschool programmes for children aged three to five nurture every child’s potential. They improve learning, development and school readiness. Successful models share common features – safe, stimulating environments; well-trained caregivers and teachers; play-based learning; health and nutrition services; and strong family engagement.
Mexico’s mandated pre-primary programme demonstrates that substantial gains in child development are achievable when governments invest in quality alongside expansion. The benefits of such investment are strongest for the most disadvantaged children, including indigenous populations, refugee and displaced people, children from marginalised communities and children with disabilities.
Smart Buy 4: Family-friendly policies
The benefits of early childhood development interventions extend into adulthood. Children who participate in high-quality development programmes tend to achieve higher educational attainment, better health and greater success in the labour market.
Universal child benefits are among the most effective tools for improving child and family outcomes. Evidence shows they reduce poverty, increase school enrolment, improve nutrition and support parental employment.
Parents benefit too. By helping families cover hidden costs of accessing services, cash transfers amplify the impact of health, education and protection interventions. Healthier children reduce the caregiving burden, freeing parents – particularly mothers – to work.
As well as Dr King, the panel of experts includes Professor Hirokazu Yoshikawa, Courtney Sale Ross Professor of Globalization and Education at NYU Steinhardt; Professor Florencia Lopez Boo, Director of Global TIES and Professor of Economics and Applied Psychology; Dr Harold Alderman, Senior Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute; Professor Jere R. Behrman, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Economics at the University of Pennsylvania; and Dr Amer Hasan, Senior Economist with the Education Global Practice at the World Bank; and other leading academics from around the world.
