Early childhood is a time of remarkable transformation and extreme vulnerability. Programmes that support young children during the years before they go to primary school provide strong foundations for subsequent learning and development. Such programmes also compensate for disadvantage and exclusion, offering a way out of poverty. This Report focuses on the first Education for All goal, which calls upon countries to expand and improve early childhood care and education--a holistic package encompassing care, health and nutrition in addition to education. Disadvantaged children stand to benefit the most, yet too few developing countries, and too few donor agencies, have made early childhood a priority. In other areas there is considerable progress toward Education for All, especially the key goal of universal primary education. More girls are attending school and international aid for education is increasing. As the Report demonstrates, however, much still needs to be done to meet the target date of 2015. Only if bold action is taken now can exclusion be overcome and comprehensive learning opportunities assured for everyone, in early childhood and throughout life. The following are appended: (1) The Education for All Development Index; (2) National learning assessments by region and country; (3) Statistical tables; (4) Aid tables; (5) Glossary; (6) References; (7) Abbreviations; and (8) Index. (Contains 64 figures, 48 tables, and 37 text boxes.) [This report was prepared by the EFA Monitoring Report Team, UNESCO.]