Early childhood care and education (ECCE) is gaining increasing attention from policymakers worldwide. Evidence from developing countries suggests that ECCE programmes that cover nutrition, immunisation, health promotion, and offer space for play and learning, contribute significantly to children's development and well-being. At the same time, the importance of early childhood programmes to support a range of social, cultural and economic aims, are vital in the fight against poverty.

This paper sets out the key findings from Young Lives research into the ways that major social protection policies are impacting on children, their families and communities in Ethiopia, India and Peru. Most research and policy debate focuses on effects of social protection on households, with children assumed to be passive beneficiaries of programmes to reduce vulnerability. Here we concentrate on children.