The first three years of children’s lives represent a sensitive period of rapid growth. The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector for children under age 3 has expanded, driven by the need to support parents’ employment and growing recognition of the importance of ECEC for children's development. This expansion has relied on different types of provision, including private and home-based ones. As a result, ECEC systems for children under age 3 are often fragmented, creating a risk of uneven quality across the sector.
This thematic report draws on data from TALIS Starting Strong 2024 to examine how to achieve more consistent and stronger ECEC quality for children under age 3 in the context of expanding enrolment to a broader, more diverse group of children. The policy context, governance and key features of ECEC provision for children under age 3 are considered. The report explores how differences across types of provision and providers shape children's daily experiences, the resources available and staff working conditions. TALIS Starting Strong 2024 data inform strategies to reduce quality gaps and support continuous improvement in ECEC for children under age 3.
