At least 40 million children worldwide have missed out on early childhood education in their critical pre-school year as Covid-19 shuttered childcare and early education facilities, according to a new research brief published by Unicef.

The brief looks at the state of childcare and early childhood education globally and includes an analysis of the impact of widespread Covid-19 closures of these vital family services.

“Education disruptions caused by the pandemic are preventing children from getting their education off to the best possible start,” said Unicef Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

“Childcare and early childhood education build a foundation upon which every aspect of children’s development relies. The pandemic is putting that foundation under serious threat.”