Table 2

Filtering criteria of early years policy areas identified as suitable candidates for natural experimental evaluation

Essential filtering criteria 1. Welfare grants in pregnancy
and early childhood
2. Early years education
and childcare
3. Universal Credit
and welfare policies
1. Expected health outcomes Birth outcomes; child physical/cognitive development; child diseases—diabetes, obesity; child mental health; maternal mental healthChild physical/cognitive development; child diseases—obesity; child mental health; maternal mental healthBirth outcomes; child diseases—diabetes, obesity; child mental health; maternal mental health
2. Variation across UK Variation in Scotland since 2018Provision varies across four UK nationsMitigation measures and differential effects
3. Population reach and effect size MediumLargeLarge
4. Exposed/eligible group Low-income pregnant women;
Parents/children up to aged 5 years (low-income families)
Preschool children (aged 2–4 years); low income/working familiesBenefit recipients
5. Affect health inequalities? YesYesYes