Educational inequality can affect children’s opportunities from a very early age. Research highlighted in the latest STRIDE policy brief shows that these disparities can already be visible during the first year of life, with children from migrant, minority and low-income backgrounds facing some of the greatest barriers.
The policy brief, “Early Childhood Education Policy to mitigate inequalities in educational outcomes: The Path to Educational Equity”, examines how Early Childhood Education (ECE) policies can help address these inequalities. Drawing on research from England, Poland, Hungary, Norway and Denmark, it presents recommendations for policy development, implementation and evaluation.
Learning from five European countries
The research examines reforms introduced in five national contexts: England’s Sure Start programme, Poland’s expansion of preschool education, compulsory kindergarten from age three in Hungary, Norway’s Free Core Time in Kindergarten initiative and mandatory language assessments in Denmark.
The study combines quantitative analysis, interviews with stakeholders and policymakers, and an analysis of political and public responses to the reforms. The findings and recommendations are organised around five stages of the policy cycle: agenda setting, policy formation, adoption and legitimation, implementation and evaluation.
Reaching communities that face the greatest barriers
One of the key findings is the importance of identifying communities that are not reached by standard early childhood education services. The policy brief recommends using local data to identify specific neighbourhoods and groups and strengthening direct outreach to marginalised families.
The research also highlights the role of families in policy development. Parents should be involved as informed partners rather than passive recipients of services. This involvement can help policies respond to community needs and build local trust.
Connecting services and supporting implementation
The policy brief highlights the value of integrated services that connect early childhood education with health and family support. England’s Sure Start model provides an example of this approach. The findings also stress the importance of continuity between early childhood education and primary school to help maintain gains made during the early years.
Implementation remains a major challenge. Across the countries studied, teacher shortages and high staff turnover can limit the capacity of early childhood education systems to reduce inequalities. The policy brief recommends sustained investment in competitive salaries and high-quality training, alongside standards that support consistent implementation.
Physical distance can also create barriers for marginalised families. The recommendations include locating services within disadvantaged areas and using direct outreach to reach families who may otherwise remain excluded.
Building policies that last
Long-term funding and political commitment are also important. The policy brief notes that administrative burdens and short-term funding cycles can create financial risks for local authorities and organisations.
It recommends protecting programmes through national legislation and integrating successful initiatives into municipal budgets and governance structures, helping them move beyond temporary project status towards permanent service delivery.
Learning from evidence
Effective evaluation depends on access to reliable, long-term information. The research highlights the importance of longitudinal data and access to information across education, health and family support services.
The policy brief also recommends greater exchange of evidence between countries. Sharing findings from both successful and unsuccessful initiatives can help policymakers learn from previous experiences and avoid repeating costly mistakes before implementing reforms on a larger scale.
Supporting more equitable educational outcomes
Overall, the five country case studies provide evidence to support policy development, implementation and evaluation. The research helps stakeholders and policymakers examine what works. It provides tools to support efforts to reduce educational inequalities for children facing multiple disadvantages in the short, medium and long term.
The full paper is available for download on the publications page of the STRIDE website and on Zenodo (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21624136).
