Development of a Scalable Model for Early Childhood Development: Process and Reflections

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

Abstract

This paper will outline and reflect upon the development and implementation process of a cost-effective, scalable ECD model in Kenya. Tayari, meaning ‘ready’ in Kiswahili, aims to increase school readiness, across cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional domains, among Kenyan children to ensure their educational success in primary school and beyond. The model involves a comprehensive four-themed curriculum and instructional approach, including the development of training and instructional materials, a method to improve teacher classroom support and coaching, and the utilization of monitoring and evaluation methods to strengthen the use of data to enhance the ECD system’s supervision and decision-making. It is anticipated that this will be the first demonstration of how to do this affordably and effectively at scale in low resource settings. Therefore, the purpose of the paper will be to take a deeper look into lessons learned throughout the curriculum and the materials development process. More specifically, it will seek to address issues around consensus building with the government and other stakeholders on age and developmentally appropriate standards for learning at the early childhood level, how to link current research and evidence from the field of ECD with the existing national policy frameworks, and the consultative process of creating quality instructional materials. A large component of the paper will discuss the iterative process of paring the model down to only the elements that are essential to deliver results cost-effectively. Lastly, drawing upon early implementation experience, the paper will discuss challenges and opportunities for the Tayari model to be adapted, replicated, and scaled up at a national, regional, and global level.

Authors

• Evangeline N. Nderu, RTI International

• Catherine Henny