One of these is play-based learning, as the International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment identified during the development of its Cambridge Early Years programme. However, awareness of Early Childhood Education (ECE) is increasing across the region, with governments recognising the intrinsic importance of ECE in children’s development. Despite increased awareness of the value of early years education, compulsory schooling still receives the lion’s share of funding and policy priority, with much early childhood education still taking place in unregistered and unregulated venues. The importance of coherence in early years education is one of the guiding principles behind the Cambridge Early Years programme. By Juan Visser – The writer is the Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, International Education, Cambridge University Press & Assessment.