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About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation. We apply our deep expertise in applied methods to design, test and scale solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time, working across the innovation lifecycle.

More about us

Improving the quality of early education and care

Improving the quality of early education and care

About this area of focus

We are identifying ways to improve the quality of early childhood education and care. Evidence shows that accessing high-quality early childhood education and care improves developmental outcomes, particularly for children from low-income households. We are working to strengthen incentives and accountability for providers to supply high-quality early education and care for children from low-income backgrounds as well as improve integration with wider services that support families in the early years.

All areas of focus within A fairer start

Projects and case studies

Updates and case studies from our portfolio of projects and practical programmes

Integrating early education and childcare with broader early years family support

Toolkits, research and explainers

Helpful guides and original analysis you can apply to your own work

How does early education and care affect children’s development?

Commentary and features

Expert opinion and thought-provoking editorial

Ready for school in Scotland

Events and talks

Keynotes, panel discussions and podcasts to inform, inspire and provoke

Catch-up event: Giving children the best start: what evidence do we need?

A powerful ecosystem for innovation

We extend our impact through two specialised units that help people and organisations to solve complex problems and achieve their goals.

BIT

BIT helps clients from government, nonprofits and the private sector to improve people’s lives through our empirical problem solving and deep understanding of human behaviour.

Challenge Works

Challenge Works designs and runs challenge prizes to spark innovation in science, technology and society.