Why data tracking matters in early childhood education?

Age 0 to 7 is the most critical stage of human development. During these formative years, children’s brains develops faster than in other stages in life, shaping their ability to learn, relate, and thrive for the rest of their lives. UNICEF emphasizes that, to give every child the best start in life, countries must not only invest in early childhood education and care but also track and measure children’s development through reliable data and evidence systems.

Why tracking data matters

Data tracking is the backbone of effective early childhood education (ECE). Without evidence programs risk being built on assumptions rather than realities. Reliable data helps educators answer essential questions about each child:

• where are children currently in their development
• which abilities are emerging and which need more support, and
• how to support their child at home in sync with what’s happening in kindergarten.

These are the questions we give answers to in our data-driven, AI supported development platform DigiLa. Teachers and caregivers observe and note each child’s development - communication, self-regulation, problem-solving, early numeracy, social behavior, confidence, cooperation and more. DigiLa organizes these observations according to the national early childhood curriculum and shows which skills are already established and which skills still need practice. DigiLa uses AI to help educators and specialists work with large amounts of developmental information. AI helps to analyze input, generate summaries, and prepare personalized recommendations. AI does not “teach the child,” and AI does not decide what happens to the child.

UNICEF has created frameworks for measuring children’s development data

Recognizing persistent data gaps, UNICEF created frameworks such as the Early Childhood Development Index 2030 (ECDI2030) and supports global surveys like the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS). These tools allow countries to track the proportion of children aged 24–59 months who are developmentally on track, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4.2.1.

However, as UNICEF’s Data and Evidence Tracking for Early Childhood Development initiative notes, many nations still lack regular, comparable ECD data. Fragmented systems, inconsistent indicators, and missing disaggregations by gender, disability, or socioeconomic background make it difficult to see the full picture of children’s well-being. Strengthening national data systems ensures that children’s needs are visible and that progress or setbacks can be measured.

From data to action

UNICEF stresses that evidence enables accountability and equity – ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to quality early childhood education..Without data, there is no visibility. Without visibility, there is no action. Data and evidence tracking illuminate what works in early childhood education and where more effort is needed. By closing data gaps, countries can move from broad commitments to measurable outcomes guaranteeing that each child thrives in life. 

References:

• UNICEF. Early childhood development: Data & evidence tracking. https://www.unicef.org/early-childhood-development/data-evidence-tracking 
• UNICEF. Early childhood development index 2030 (ECDI 2030). UNICEF Data. https://data.unicef.org/resources/early-childhood-development-index-2030-ecdi2030/