December 2017 – This paper published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean analyzes social protection policies for families and early childhood. It focuses on three main policies: 1) family allowances and other types of monetary transfers for families with children, 2) work leaves, and 3) early childhood education and care (ECEC) policies worldwide. It analyzes the design and reform of policies which protect families with children and early childhood comparing Latin America with other regions in the world. This analysis not only includes the basic description of these policies and its main features worldwide and across regions, but also pays attention to how these policies increase
intergenerational and intra-generational equality as well as sustainability, efficacy and efficiency.