Many children miss out on quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) due to cultural barriers, lack of information and financial constraints. Vulnerable children are affected with socio-economic gaps.
Furthermore, disadvantaged children often receive lower-quality ECEC services, while some countries are seeing improvements in quality.

ECEC is crucial for addressing gaps before they become established. High-quality ECEC helps children develop essential skills, such as language, literacy, and numeracy, which are the keys for future success.

Over the past two decades,many countries have adopted research-based curriculums to enhance child development. Children who attend high-quality ECEC are more likely to succeed in school, graduate, secure good jobs and avoid criminal behavior. The return on investment is real, as every dollar spent on ECEC saves society more in future costs while promoting happy childhoods.

However, many children, particularly those from low-income families, are still left behind. This situation is partly a result of disparities in early childhood education. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to attend ECEC programs and even if they do, the quality is often lower. This creates a cycle of disadvantage that is hard to break.

Additionally, public investment in early childhood education is relatively low compared to other education levels, leading to tight budgets and inadequate training.

In response, the OECD has developed a policy roadmap, "Reducing Inequalities by Investing in Early Childhood Education and Care" with two key approaches: 1) countries should combine universal policies and a cross-sectoral approach, ensuring that everyone benefits, focusing more on support for the most disadvantaged including children in poverty or with special needs. 2) Early years services are divided which is difficult for families to have access. Governments should integrate education, health, and social services with common objectives, ensuring investments have a lasting impact.

As societies become more diverse, fostering mutual understanding and solidarity is essential. Strong education pathways for all children are vital for creating cohesive and balanced societies, driving economic growth. Governments must act now, taking a comprehensive approach to better support children and families, particularly those who need it most. Investing in the early years is not only a moral imperative but also an economic and social necessity.