A new report published in The Lancet shows, that 182 million children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), or three-fourths of those aged three and four, are missing out on crucial nurturing care. This lack of access could have serious consequences for their development, putting them at risk of falling behind in essential areas of growth.

Why are so many children missing out on early childhood care?

The report points out a critical period known as the "next 1,000 days," This ranges from two years to five. This stage follows the "first 1,000 days" of life, a widely recognized window for development that begins at conception and lasts through a child’s second birthday. While the first 1,000 days have garnered major attention, the "next 1,000 days" are just as vital for a child's future. Yet, in LMICs, fewer than one in three children aged three or four participate in early childhood care and education programs.

This is alarming as most children in these regions have little interaction with health or education services at early ages.

What are the risks of missing early care programs?

Those children who are not engaged with structured early care programs miss out on the opportunities for nurturing care. The study claims that roughly 80% of these interventions that help in healthy growth and development for children take place in these programs. They provide them with those critical benefits such as screenings, growth monitoring, nutrition supplements, and caregiver support—components crucial to setting a child on a path toward lifelong success.

Catherine Draper, co-director of the series and a researcher from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, pointed out that more should be done to address this gap. "Children from LMICs not only need to feature more strongly in research in the next 1,000 days but should also be receiving the care they need to thrive. This includes supporting caregivers of young children, and ensuring that they have access to high-quality early care and education programs," Draper said.

What needs to change for the next generation?

The authors of the report suggest increased investment in early childhood care and education programs in LMICs. They argue that high-quality programs are manageable when targeted with adequate resources, including trained and well-compensated teachers, manageable teacher-to-student ratios, and evidence-based curriculum incorporating child-centered play.

In addition, the cost of one year of early childhood care and education for all children in these countries would be less than 0.15% of LMIC countries' GDP. Despite the low cost, however, benefits are significant, with potential returns that can be up to 8-19 times the investment.

Why does early childhood education matter?

Providing access to nurturing care in early years is the right investment in individual children, but more so in the future of these countries. It can help break cycles of poverty, thereby improving health outcomes and enhancing the long-term development of a nation.

As the report suggests, this critical stage of child development should be a focal point for governments and organisations working to improve the lives of children in LMICs. Now is the right moment because the benefits of nurturing care far outweigh the costs; each child deserves the chance to thrive.