Education / Concept
Early childhood education and care (ECEC)
Definition
Services and programmes that support the education, development, well-being, and care of young children before primary education, including ISCED level 0 programmes and regulated childcare outside the formal education system.
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Open this concept in the glossary →Editorial explanation
ECEC names the broader early-years service landscape and distinguishes it from the narrower category of programmes classified as formal early childhood education.
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Sources and evidence
- OECD — Education at a Glance 2026 — Chapter B1 · Definitions — Early childhood education and care (ECEC) (direct)