Evidence Review of Outcomes Based Finance for Early Childhood Care and Education

This evidence review aims to gather and organise emerging evidence on OBF as a mechanism for enhancing the quality and financing of ECCE programmes. It outlines the various contexts and rationales behind existing OBF programmes, noting a lack of systematic targeting in policy contexts, varied project rationales, and challenges in integrating multi-sectoral approaches in ECCE. Significant gaps are identified in the cost analysis of participation in OBF projects, measurement methodologies, and overall programme evaluation.

The evidence review is structured to:

1. Surface and collate existing documentation and insights on 22 OBF programmes in ECCE across 36 countries. This includes 105 unique, relevant documents such as project factsheets, evaluation and progress reports, and academic literature.
2. Analyse and map these findings to inform the development of knowledge products.
3. Identify knowledge gaps to shape future learning agendas and support the CLI's subsequent phases.

Suggested citation: Airoldi, M., Terway, A., Wooldridge, R., Thorne, G., Adams, L., Ronicle, J., Davies, J. and Anastasiu, A. (2024). Evidence review of outcomes-based finance for early childhood care and education. Collective Learning Initiative on Outcomes-Based Finance for Early Childhood Care and Education, Government Outcomes Lab, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.