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Overall Conclusion on Country Cases

The case studies you find in the toolbox have comprehensively evaluated the long-term impacts of significant Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) policies across England, Poland, Hungary, Norway and Denmark using a rigorous mixed-methods approach.

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Denmark Case Study Report

In 2009, Denmark introduced mandatory language assessment of children in grade 0 (age 6). In this research project we look at the policy change using a multi-method approach. We conduct a quantitative analysis to examine possible long-term effects of this policy initiative on educational outcomes.

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Norway Case Study Report

In this article we focus on the reform Free core time in kindergarten, in Norway and how it is related to social inequality in school, especially in the immigrant population it was first targeted at.

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Poland Case Study Report

In the Polish context, regional disparities are especially significant due to long-standing differences in economic development, quality of life, and access to public services.

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National case – Hungary

Mandatory kindergarten (pre-school) from the age of 3 was introduced in Hungary in 2015 (codified by the Act CXC of 2011 on Public Upbringing ). In practice, this means that every child has to enroll in kindergarten in the academic year starting after their 3rd birthday (unless the family requests and receives exemption until age 4 based on personal circumstances).

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National Case – Denmark

Mandatory language assessment in Grade 0 is a universal national reform introduced in Denmark in 2009. It requires all children in public schools to undergo language screening at the start of compulsory schooling, with the aim of identifying language difficulties early, standardizing previously uneven local practices, and informing subsequent pedagogical responses.

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National Case – UK

Launched in England in 1998, the Sure Start Intervention sought to provide comprehensive support to families with young children in disadvantaged areas, giving them the best possible start in life.

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Hungary Case Study Report

In the present report, we evaluate the effectiveness of Hároméves kortól kötelező óvoda [mandatory kindergarten from the age of 3], an ISCED-0 level reform introduced in Hungary in 2015.

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