Abstract: This edition of the Bernard van Leer Foundation's biannual journal, Early Childhood Matters, is devoted to the Foundation's issue area 'Strengthening the care environment'. It lays out the Foundation's thinking on both the 'near environment' of parents, caregivers and teachers and the 'further environment' of systems, policies and public opinion. Emphasising the importance of taking a holistic approach to young children's development, it includes contributions from CARE USA and Right to Play along with views from Guatemala, Thailand, Jamaica, Uganda and Colombia.