HERE’s what we know about early childhood education and care for refugee children in Europe

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) can be pivotal for young children who have experienced forced displacement, and for their families, parents and caregivers. For children, high-quality ECEC supports social, emotional and cognitive development, provides a safe space for learning and play, and can aid in the process of healing from traumatic experiences. With children attending ECEC, parents and caregivers can pursue study and work, and ECEC can also offer connections to wider services and networks of support. However, systemic, practical and policy-related barriers and challenges limit access to high-quality ECEC for refugee and forcibly displaced children. This report synthesises existing research on access to and experiences of ECEC for refugee children in Europe. It is based on a scoping review of evidence on early childhood education in Europe published since 2015. It is accompanied by a policy brief outlining recommendations for policy and practice.