Publications & Reports
Browse editions of our journal, Early Childhood Matters, and our Early Childhood in Focus series, along with other selected publications and reports. All are free to download or read online.
Policy brief: Air Pollution in Early Childhood
Air pollution causes long-lasting damage to young children. During pregnancy, for example, pollution is almost as bad for the foetus as smoking. As children grow up, their developing brains and… Read more
Cycling cities for infants, toddlers, and caregivers
Being able to cycle safely around their city can have a profound impact on caregivers and children aged 0-3, yet there has so far been limited research into how cities… Read more
Annual Report 2020
The Bernard van Leer Foundation’s Annual Report 2020 is now available in an interactive online format. With stories from our focus countries and learning partnerships, the Annual Report explores our… Read more
Supporting urban childhoods
Observations on caregiver use of public spaces from Pune (India) and Istanbul (Turkey) share spatial knowledge from a research initiative done in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and the… Read more
An Urban95 Starter Kit - ideas for action
Based on learnings gathered from Urban95 initiatives across the world, this Urban95 Starter Kit serves as a starting point to help cities understand the value of investing in their youngest… Read more
Three briefs on data and Urban95 in Turkey
In this series of three briefs, the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) reflects on lessons from the Bernard van Leer Foundation-supported Urban95 programme in Turkey that can support… Read more
Proximity of care: A new approach to designing for early childhood in vulnerable urban contexts
A guide to assess, design and implement child-centred interventions in vulnerable urban contexts such as informal and refugee settlements, to improve the living conditions and well-being of young children and… Read more
Template of Infant, Toddler and Caregiver (ITC) Integration in Udaipur
Prepared by ICLEI-SA, under the guidance of the Udaipur Municipal Corporation and with the support of the Bernard van Leer Foundation, this publication is a set of design guidelines based… Read more
Policy briefs - The Early Years
Want to get up to speed on early childhood issues? Whether a seasoned practitioner or new to the field, these policy briefs explain some of the biggest challenges facing young… Read more
An Evaluation of Mother Tongue Based Early Learning and Parents+ (MTELP+) Programme
The Mother Tongue Based Early Learning and Parents+ Programme ran from 2016 to 2021 (having been extended due the COVID-19 pandemic) in the state of Odisha, India – a partnership… Read more