CEPPs News to your Inbox
Actions you can take to help mothers and young children around the world.
Building healthier, fairer & more peaceful societies
Support the CEPPs Global Initiative
Transforming Lives and Societies
Our focus is on a child’s “critical years” from conception to age 3-5. During this “window of opportunity” the brain develops faster than any other time in life. These critical years are the foundations that shape a child’s future physical and mental health, with life-long impact not only for themselves, but also for communities and societies.
The CEPPs Global Initiative and the CEPPs SisterCities program are having a transformative effect, breaking the persistent inter-generational cycles of poverty, adversity, disadvantage and violence seen in many areas of society today.
They originate from multi-sector Early Childhood Development (ECD) networks operating today in a number of countries. They are helping mothers, families and caregivers provide the nurturing care every child needs to develop their full potential.
Help kick start the transformation in your city or community. Find out how!
CEPPs is a member of The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. The PMNCH Secretariat is hosted by the World Health Organization.
We support the PMNCH Nurturing Care Framework launched at the World Health Assembly in May 2018.
With our partners we work city-by-city to accelerate and support the formation of multi-sector ECD networks, providing a ‘Continuum-of-Care’ for mothers, newborns and families.
CEPPs Partners and Supporters include…
Help Transform your Community – become a CEPPs Partner or Supporter.
Upcoming Events
Begin Before Birth Symposium in London
Begin Before Birth!An annual great symposium where you will meet Leaders in the field!Begin Before Birth! The importance of mental health during pregnancy for the mother and the child Chaired by
24 May, 2019
Recent Articles
State of Oregon adopts CEPPs 7 Principles for ECD
Oregon has become the first state in the USA to adopt Childhood and Early Parenting Principles (CEPPs) as a framework for action by state agencies involved in Early Childhood Development (ECD). On 17
24 May, 2019
Follow the Discussions…
Visit the CEPPs forums and speak with like-minded people about the latest issues relating to childhood and early parenting principles. Together, we can influence policy and make the world a better place. |
Michaela Howell on 
Article Comments
Valerie Unite on Why We Should Support Girls’Education: “Thank you Karen, Yes indeed, we believe girls are also crucial to peacebuilding, they hold the keys to the future…” May 20, 17:35
Karen Thorsen on Why We Should Support Girls’Education: “A very interesting article. Every girl should have the opportunity to get education. By giving education to girls around the…” May 20, 17:16
The 7 CEP Principles
The CEPPs draw from best practice in multi-sector ECD networks operating today in a number of countries.
They support the UN SDGs and provide a practical roadmap for action in developing and developed countries…
The CEPPs Global Initiative
Investing in early childhood development (ECD) is one of the best investments a country can make to boost sustainable economic growth and promote healthy and peaceful societies.
For every $1 spent on ECD initiatives, the returns can be as high as $13…
CEPPs SisterCities
A global support network for cities implementing ECD programs. Cities in different countries can share experiences of ‘What Works’.
City leaders sign a CEPPs Statement of Support and commit to ECD-friendly practices…
Building Better Societies
During the early years of life, from conception to three, a child’s brain develops at an astounding pace. This is the crucial age when children form their first attachments and interpersonal relationships and develop their first concepts – optimistic or fearful – of the world in which they will live.
Science and psychology are helping us to understand how the love and nurture of caring adults is hard wired into the brains of children. Economic studies are showing us how the lack of nurtured development creates immense long-term costs to families, communities and governments.
Very Early Intervention is Critical!
“If we’re putting millions of dollars into Head Start which begins at three, four, or five years of age, and haven’t developed the appropriate brain to receive the education, it will be a waste of money. It is important to be sure that the brain has developed well in utero.
So when you start the formal education, you have the nerve cells and dendrites that can respond.”
Dr. Marian Diamond, Ph.D. Emeritus Professor of integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley
CEPPs Involves Action!
The Heckman Curve
‘The highest rate of economic returns come from the earliest investments in children, providing an eye-opening understanding that society invests too much money on later development when it is often too late to provide great value.
The graphic shows the economic benefits of investing early and building skill upon skill to provide greater success to more children and greater productivity and reduce social spending for society.’
The Heckman Equation, James Heckman, Nobel Laureate in Economics
Supporting the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals
CEPPs directly support SDGs 3, 4 & 5 which aim to improve health, education and the condition of women and girls.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to stimulate action over the next 15 years and beyond, in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet.
CEPPs are directly linked to the achievement of a number of SDG targets, by providing a focus on early parenting and early childhood care and the physical, emotional and mental health of future generations.
