The concept for ARNEC emerged from the Joint UNICEF-UNESCO Early Childhood Policy Review Project (2006-08) where participants from nine countries (Pakistan, Nepal, Mongolia, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Lao PDR and Singapore) met to discuss the possibilities of forming a regional early childhood professional network that would cross all disciplines and sectors. Initially, three partners – the Plan Asia Regional Office, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education and the UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office – signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the establishment and development of ARNEC. A Steering Committee was formed and ARNEC was formally launched at the final Early Childhood Policy review seminar in February 2008. 0-06-2022