Investing in Early Childhood Development

Investing in Early Childhood Development: Review of the World Bank's Recent Experience provides an overview of World Bank investments in early childhood development (ECD) from 2000 to 2013 within three of the Bank's Global Practices: Education; Health, Nutrition, & Population; and Social Protection & Labor. The study summarizes trends in operational and analytical investments, including lending and trust-funded operations at the country, regional, and global levels. Findings are presented on both the funding for and the number of ECD investments. Case studies are also provided to highlight lessons learned and inform future Bank support for ECD. Finally, the study discusses recent new approaches to support ECD within the World Bank and in client countries.