Since 2010, policy progress has been made with the introduction of the “Grand Design”, a blueprint for the development of early childhood care and education (ECCE), building on a programme dating back to 2001. The Grand Design sets outcomes, targets and principles for the expansion of early-years education and care from 2011 to 2025 as part of an ambitious and far reaching set of goals to be realised by 2045. Increasingly the period from birth to six years is being seen in a more holistic way, bringing together health, social care, childcare and education.