Creating Business Networks to Support Early Childhood Development: Lessons from the Center for Business Champions

• In Event: Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Creating Business Networks to Support Early Childhood Development: Lessons from the Center for Business Champions

Proposal

Early Childhood Development (ECD) is recognized globally as a critical foundation for lifelong learning, health, and well-being (UNICEF, 2023; World Bank, 2024). The early years of a child's life are crucial for brain development, laying the foundation for future success in school, work, and life. Business leaders and child development experts share a common goal of ensuring that children have a nurturing environment that supports their growth while also preparing a well-equipped workforce for the future. The Center for Business Champions (CBC) at Childhood Education International plays a pivotal role in bridging these two sectors, fostering partnerships between businesses and ECD leaders to achieve shared goals.

This poster presents the CBC's approach to creating and sustaining business networks that advocate for and invest in early childhood. By engaging businesses from outside the early learning industry as "unexpected" champions, the CBC is expanding the reach and impact of early childhood initiatives. The poster will highlight key strategies, case studies, and broader implications of these partnerships on child development and economic growth.

Background and Rationale:

Businesses play a pivotal role in society—not only as employers and economic drivers but also as influencers of social policy and community development (Porter & Kramer, 2011; Harvard Business Review, 2023). The CBC's approach leverages the power of the private sector to create networks that mobilize resources, advocate for policies, and implement programs that support ECD. By engaging business leaders, the CBC has developed a model that bridges the gap between corporate social responsibility and impactful early childhood interventions.

The increasing recognition of the importance of ECD by global institutions (UNICEF, 2023; OECD, 2024) underscores the need for innovative approaches to mobilize resources and expertise across sectors. The CBC’s business networks serve as a conduit for these efforts, connecting business leaders with ECD advocates to create a shared vision for supporting children and families.

Key Themes:

1. Strategic Alignment of Goals: Businesses seek a well-prepared workforce and healthy communities, while child development leaders aim to provide children with nurturing environments. The CBC leverages this alignment to create partnerships that benefit both sectors.

2. Business as Equal Partners: Emphasizing the role of businesses as equal partners, the CBC reframes early childhood investment as a critical economic driver, akin to sectors like trade and energy. This approach helps elevate the policy debate, making it easier to secure funding and support for ECD initiatives.

3. Case Studies and Global Impact: The poster will showcase examples of successful business-ECD partnerships from around the world, including Brazil, the UK, US and Romania. It will highlight the Brazilian case, sharing data from a CBC project in Brazil which resulted in the creation of a local business network, “Champions for Children” in Sao Paolo.

4. Challenges and Solutions: Building effective partnerships between businesses and child development leaders can be challenging due to differing professional cultures and priorities. The poster will outline strategies for overcoming these challenges, including identifying potential business allies, crafting compelling messages, and sustaining engagement over time.

Authors

• Amlata Persaud, Childhood Education International

• Yvette Murphy, Childhood Education International

• Dayana Garcia, Childhood Education International