The Cost of Not Investing in Early Childhood Development

A recent academic paper titled "Early Childhood Development and the Next 1000 Days 2: The cost of not investing in the next 1000 days: implications for policy and practice" by Milagros Nores and colleagues, published in The Lancet, delves into the profound implications of not investing in ECD during this critical period.

The Importance of the Next 1000 Days

The paper underscores the significance of the next 1000 days in a child's development. This period builds on the foundation laid in the first 1000 days and is pivotal for cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development. Providing nurturing care, early childhood care and education (ECCE), parenting interventions, and cash transfers during this time can yield substantial benefits.

The Cost of Inaction

Failing to invest in ECCE has far-reaching consequences. The societal cost of not implementing ECCE programs is estimated to be 8-19 times the cost of investing in them. The paper estimates that providing one year of ECCE for all children would cost less than 0.15% of low-income and middle-income countries' GDP.

Effective Interventions

The paper highlights several effective interventions for the next 1000 days:

• Health and Nutrition: Without adequate interventions, children are at risk of poor health outcomes, including malnutrition and stunted growth. This can lead to long-term health issues and increased healthcare costs. In low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), many children do not receive the necessary health and nutrition support, which can have lasting effects on their physical development.
• Education and Cognitive Development: Lack of early childhood care and education (ECCE) can result in lower cognitive and educational outcomes. Children who do not receive early learning support are at a disadvantage, which can affect their academic performance and future earning potential. This educational gap can perpetuate cycles of poverty and limit economic growth.
• Social and Emotional Development: Inaction can lead to inadequate social and emotional development, which is crucial for lifelong success. Children who do not receive nurturing care and support may struggle with social interactions, emotional regulation, and resilience. This can lead to behavioural problems and mental health issues later in life.
• Economic Impact: The economic cost of inaction is significant. Investing in early childhood development has a high return on investment, with benefits including higher earnings, reduced crime rates, and lower social service costs. Conversely, failing to invest can result in higher costs for social services, healthcare, and criminal justice system.
• Developmental Delays and Disabilities: Children with developmental delays and disabilities are particularly vulnerable. Without targeted interventions, these children are at risk of further disadvantage and exclusion from education and social services. This can lead to poorer health, reduced access to services, and increased vulnerability to abuse and neglect.
• Environmental and Social Factors: The document also highlights the impact of environmental risks, such as pollution and climate change, on early childhood development. Inaction in addressing these issues can exacerbate health and developmental problems, particularly in LMICs where children are more exposed to these risk.

Policy and Practice Implications

The paper calls for coordinated efforts across health, nutrition, responsive care, safety, and early learning to provide nurturing care during the next 1000 days. It emphasizes the need for multisectoral programming and collaboration between various sectors, including education, health, and social protection. An endeavour shared with the core principles of The Human Safety Net and cantered in the Open Net principle.

Research and Evidence

Building on evidence from previous research, the paper highlights the documented effectiveness of key interventions in the next 1000 days. It presents data from 100 studies assessing the effects of interventions on child outcomes, yielding a total of 951 impact estimates across global regions and income levels.

Investing in early childhood development during the next 1000 days is crucial for children's long-term development and societal well-being. Increased investment, multisectoral collaboration, and the implementation of effective interventions are essential to support children's development during this critical period.