Recent emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have clearly shown how much our societies are vulnerable and exposed to risks and threats without adequate protective and coping mechanisms in place. This is also very true for the early childhood system1 which has struggled to ensure all children have the best conditions to thrive. The early childhood workforce is one of the main players in this system and despite its pivotal role, has long suffered from a lack of adequate recognition and support. This case study highlights the responsibility of the early childhood system to create conditions which enable early childhood professionals and practitioners to be adequately prepared and equipped for their role, by looking at the endeavours of the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) in strengthening the capacity of the early childhood workforce in response to the war in Ukraine.