8 reasons to be hopeful: countries step up for young children
An early years centre in Lebanon run by Ana Aqra where Theirworld’s MyBestStart 2 programme is bring trialled (Theirworld/Diego Ibarra Sánchez)
More countries are stepping up with major commitments to ensure the youngest children have access to quality childcare and pre-primary education.
These encouraging signs of hope from around the world signal a growing momentum behind investing in early childhood – reflecting the importance of the early years and the need to invest in preschool children.
Here’s a look at some of the recent announcements.
SOUTH AFRICA
In February, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to put the early years “front and centre” of the education agenda in his country.
That was reinforced in March, when Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced $500 million of funding specifically for early childhood development – the single biggest investment in ECD in South Africa. He called for collaboration between government, private sector leaders and civil society to ensure every child gets the start they need for a brighter future.
The minister added: “The foundation to building the next generation of citizens who contribute economically and socially to this great nation is early childhood development.”
Also in March, Siviwe Gwarube, Minister of Basic Education, said South Africa wants every child to have access to quality early learning by 2030. She highlighted that more than 1.3 million children are not enrolled in any early childhood development programme, mostly from poorer communities.
JORDAN
The country’s first National Childcare Policy was unveiled recently. It will expand access to childcare, especially for low-income families through grants and subsidies.
The landmark policy will also ensure high standards at daycare centres and take measures to empower more women to join or re-enter the workforce.
The transformative steps were the result of a joint effort between the National Council for Family Affairs, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and national institutions including government ministries and civil society organisations.
Eka Zhvania, Country Director for the IRC in Jordan, said: “This policy is a game-changer for families in Jordan. Every child deserves the chance to thrive and every parent deserves the support they need to succeed.”
THE PHILIPPINES
Less than 20% of toddlers in the Philippines are enrolled in early learning programmes and pre-primary education is underfunded. But President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s national budget for 2025 includes major investments in early childhood care and development, such as scholarships to upgrade the skills of daycare workers.
The president reaffirmed his government’s commitment in April when he announced 328 child development centres in low-income areas. This political momentum, combined with influential champions and strong civil society engagement, can lead to significant gains for young children in the Philippines and serve as a model for the region.
BRAZIL
In November, Brazil – as part of its presidency of the G20 in 2024 – announced a new Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, with a key pillar focused on early childhood. A series of commitments were made by governments, including Mozambique, Brazil, Palestine, Angola, Paraguay, Tanzania, Bangladesh and Madagascar.
Bangladesh will provide nutrition services to six million pregnant women. Brazil will expand an early childhood visitation programme to reach 300,000 more children. Mozambique will scale up early childhood development programmes to reach all parts of the country by 2030.
This year the Brazilian government is also developing its own national early childhood strategy.
UNITED KINGDOM
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the early years will be the government’s key milestone for its mission to break the link between life chances and family background. Revealing a “Plan for Change” in December, he set a target of 75% of five-year-olds in England “ready to learn when they start school” – up from the current 68%.
Additional funding of £75 million is aimed at increasing the number of staff and places for children in nursery schools.
The UK Government will conclude a spending review on June 11, which will determine department budgets for the next four years. This is a key opportunity for the government to provide additional investment and greater access for the children who would benefit most.
CANADA
In March, the government approved agreements to extend a programme that means parents pay only $10 per day for childcare, saving thousands of dollars each year.
Deals worth $37 billion (Canadian) have been signed to extend the federal childcare programme in 11 provinces and territories until 2031. This will increase funding by 3% per year for four years, starting in 2027.
UNITED STATES
New Mexico went from being the state with the worst ranking for child wellbeing to becoming the first in the country to offer free childcare to most families.
That was three years ago – now figures show the radical change has helped to lift 120,000 people out of poverty. Lawmakers in New Mexico have also approved a 21.6% increase of $170 million for education programs, including early childhood education.
THE G20
This year the South African government has taken its commitment to early childhood on to the world stage during its presidency of the G20 – an international forum of the world’s major economies.
It has been positioned as the top priority of the Education Working Group with a strategic focus on defining minimum early childhood workforce qualifications, innovating training, ensuring programme quality and establishing national parenting support.