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.

An Urban95 Starter Kit - ideas for action

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

Zümrütevler Square Interim Implementation

Available in English and Turkish, this short book looks at how a busy intersection in Istanbul – Zümrütevler Square – was transformed in 2019 to create a space for families… Read more

Data-driven Decision Making and Policy Development

Local administrations can increasingly draw on data to decide how they provide urban services, and strengthen communications with the populations they serve. This publication surveys best-practice examples from around the… Read more

Bridging the divide: Coalition building for early childhood development in Istanbul, 2016–2020

Based on interviews conducted in June and July 2020, this case study explores how principles of early childhood development are now becoming embedded in the work of Turkish local governments. Read more

Early Childhood Matters 2020

Front and centre of this year’s Early Childhood Matters are resounding calls to action from global leaders and experts to ensure that young children, families, frontline workers and cities continue… Read more