From May 15 to 17, Hangzhou Normal University hosted the 4th International Conference on Early Childhood Development and Childcare. Themed Early Childhood Development and Childcare Service System Construction in the Age of Digital Intelligence, the conference brought together authoritative experts around the world, including university scholars, industry leaders, and frontline practitioners, to jointly explore pathways for improving the quality and expanding the capacity of inclusive childcare services in the new era, pooling wisdom and strength to achieve a higher standard of "quality childcare for all" and to support high-quality population development.

During the conference, a number of significant achievements were simultaneously unveiled and officially launched. The Hangzhou Normal University Early Childhood Development and Childcare Laboratory was officially unveiled. As a key provincial laboratory of Zhejiang Province, the laboratory focuses on four major research areas: dynamic monitoring and assessment of physical and mental development in infants and young children, strategies for physical and mental development and brain-intelligence promotion, development of digital-intelligent environments for physical and mental development, and childcare and public policies for infants and young children. It aims to build a multidisciplinary, cross-integrated research hub for childcare studies.

The Zhejiang Province Childcare Education Integration Reform Research and Guidance Center was also officially unveiled. Centered on four core functions—policy research, standard development, faculty training, and practical guidance—the center serves as a think tank, advisory body, and professional service platform to build a childcare education integration development system with distinctive Zhejiang characteristics.

The international journal Brain Science and Child Development (BSCD) witnessed the release of its inaugural issue, establishing a professional academic exchange bridge for the global childcare field and further enhancing HZNU's international influence in this domain.

The participating guests also jointly visited the Early Childhood Industry Innovation Exhibition, with 24 exhibitors and 27 brands actively participating. The exhibition comprehensively covered key sectors including nutrition, care, education, safety, and security. Notably, cutting-edge artificial intelligence-related exhibits were introduced, deeply integrating digital intelligence technology with childcare practice, allowing attendees to intuitively experience the development achievements and future trends of the childcare industry.

During the keynote report session, experts and scholars from home and abroad delivered outstanding presentations on topics including children's moral cognitive development, early experiences and human development, inclusive education teacher training, AI-empowered smart childcare, and medical-education integrated caregiving. They shared cutting-edge research findings and international practical experience, broadening the academic horizons of attendees, inspiring innovative thinking, and advancing academic exchange in the childcare field.

Nine parallel roundtable forums were also held during the conference, covering diverse topics such as international journal development, childcare teacher professional development, national childcare standard systems, and inclusive support for children with special needs. Over a hundred experts, scholars, frontline practitioners, and young students exchanged ideas on the same stage, sparking intellectual synergy. Four thematic workshops focused on practical topics including responsive infant care, health and rehabilitation system development, behavioral observation and interpretation, and creative music interaction, strengthening the deep integration of theory and practice.

This conference marks the 4th consecutive international academic event on early childhood development and childcare hosted by Hangzhou Normal University, and has become one of the most influential exchange platforms in the field. The conference effectively promoted policy alignment, academic discussion, achievement translation, and talent cultivation, showcasing the university's solid accumulation and sense of responsibility in the field of infant development and childcare research.