School Readiness and Child Development: A Policy Review

• In Event: Ready for School? Integrating Learning and Child Development Under the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

ECD helps ensure school readiness and is a key to poverty reduction (Engle and Black 2008). In 2000 there were 7 national multi-sectoral policies for ECD worldwide. International consultants and agencies have placed priority on supporting ECD policy planning in LMIC through financial and technical support for national efforts to address the needs of young children and to develop multi-sectorial strategies to reduce the fragmentation and gaps in existing policies, laws, and programs. By July 2014, 68 of 215 countries globally had a national ECD policy, representing 45% of LMIC and 9% of high-income countries. Although only 28 countries have adopted a detailed plan of implementation, many LMICs have developed ECD programs in the absence of a single, unifying national policy. For example, Cuba does not have a unified national plan, but has achieved nearly full early childhood development program coverage for pregnant women, parents and children using a collection of laws that have created a ‘policy umbrella.’ Much is still needed to be learned on the policy front. However, in anticipation of the SDGs it is critical to review and track policy efforts based on what we now know and where we need to go. This paper will present a review of the prospects for widespread expansion of ECD under the emerging SDG regime and the changes in ECD policies in LMICs. Additionally, it will highlight examples of programs with high coverage and summarize best practices for improving effective coverage and school readiness.

Author

• Maureen Black, RTI International