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Early Years

Our research in early childhood education and care provides insights into the factors that influence a child’s wellbeing and development during these important years

Research, commentary, and events

Commentary
Early Years Education Reform: Could Life Chances for Children in England Be Significantly Improved?
To ensure equal access to high-quality early years provision in England, it is crucial to learn from successful systems worldwide and implement key recommendations. Prioritizing highly qualified staff, maintaining appropriate staff-to-child ratios, and removing barriers for disadvantaged families are essential steps toward achieving this goal.
18 Jul 2023
Project
World Class: What England can learn from global experience to make early years policy work for disadvantaged children
Pulling together practical examples from around the world, RAND Europe researchers show how England can create an environment where every child, regardless of their family situation, has the opportunity to thrive.
13 Jul 2023
Project
Evaluating the scale-up of the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI)
Two thirds of state-funded primary schools in England signed up to deliver NELI. RAND Europe was commissioned by the Education Endowment Foundation to evaluate its implementation across schools.
10 Mar 2023
Project
Gathering evidence on the experiences of Early Childhood Education and Care staff through TALIS Starting Strong 2024
Researchers are developing the second cycle of the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) Starting Strong 2024. The survey aims to fill key data gaps in Early Childhood Education and Care staff and leaders' professional experiences.
15 Sep 2022
Project
Understanding policy and practice to promote early childhood development in France
A range of formal childcare options are available in France, but provision and use are far from universal. Additionally, despite a growing emphasis on holistic early childhood development in the first three years, preschool priorities follow a different trajectory.
08 Sep 2022
Tool
An overview of five case studies in the field of early childhood development
This Lessons Map is a matrix that describes common themes and elements across five case studies for achieving impact at scale in the field of early childhood development, despite the different contexts of the case studies.
07 Apr 2022
Project
European Platform for Investing in Children identifies 'practices that work' across member states
Reflecting the European Commission’s policy focus on children at risk, EPIC evaluates and disseminates practices that improve outcomes. RAND Europe's latest EPIC policy memo examines juggling work and childcare during the pandemic.
29 Dec 2021
Project
Case studies examine early childhood development interventions at scale
Researchers developed case studies on ‘what works’ in early childhood development at scale in the Netherlands, Israel, Peru, and Brazil. They ensured that efforts were systematically captured, assessed and available for other governments, practitioners and foundations to use.
23 Dec 2021
Project
Evaluating language skills outcomes in Group Triple P
Triple P, the Positive Parenting Program, offers individual and group interventions in early years settings. Nursery staff and parents perceived a reduction in problem behaviours and a modest improvement in children’s language ability because of parent participation.
27 Jul 2021
Commentary
The Five Common Myths About Inclusive Education
Rising levels of social inequality and diversity in Europe have made social inclusion a priority for the European Union. But it remains a challenge to ensure access to quality early childhood education and care, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
23 Jun 2020
Project
Developing the OECD TALIS Starting Strong Survey
RAND Europe led the development of a survey for the OECD which aimed to fill key international and national data gaps on Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) staff, their professional development, pedagogical practices, the ECEC environment and the impact that staff can have on children in their care.
12 Dec 2019
Commentary
Early childhood services across EU member states still fall short
Large differences exist between EU countries in access to early child education and the quality of child care. Bridging the gap would require more efforts at the EU and national levels to guarantee that each child has access to services that will have lasting effects on their development.
10 Oct 2019
Project
Evaluating the impact of a program to promote early childhood development
RAND Europe is undertaking a three-year independent evaluation of the impact of a philanthropic ECD programme in France. Researchers will assess the extent to which the programme-level objectives have been achieved, and understand how and why they were achieved.
20 Nov 2018
Commentary
The Potential for Early Years Programmes to Close the Disadvantage Gap Is Under-Examined
Many schools are looking to close the disadvantage gap in their communities, but they need more evidence about what actually works. Research that helps policymakers and practitioners understand how early years interventions can promote equity and close the disadvantage gap is needed.
12 Oct 2018
Commentary
How Early Childhood Education and Care Can Help to Tackle the Impact of Childhood Disadvantage
Disadvantaged children underperform educationally partly because on average they experience more risk factors. Interventions to address multiple causes of underperformance for disadvantaged children may have a better chance of success. The calibre of early childhood education and care professionals also likely matters.
20 Aug 2018
Project
Teaching, pedagogy and practice in early years childcare
Disadvantaged children in England are more likely to fall behind academically, so researchers identified the knowledge gaps concerning effective early years practice. As most of the available data comes from the US, more UK research is needed.
08 Aug 2018