Presented by Marito GarciaTechnical Workshop of the Africa ECCD Initiative

July 27, 2010(Based on work by Emiliana Vegas, Veronica Silva and Amanda Epstein)

Strengthening ECD Policies and Programs: Frameworks, Benchmarks and Roadmaps

Presentation OverviewDefinitions: Early Childhood Development, ECD

programs and ECD policies.Introduction of Framework to classify ECD PoliciesTypology of ECD programsFramework for classifying ECD policies at the national

level, to help countries identify (i) their current level of development in this area, and (ii) some policy options to further develop ECD policies.

Application of framework to four country case studiesPreliminary application of framework to 12 SSA

countriesInternational comparisons

DefinitionsEarly Childhood Development as the period from when a child is

conceived to six years of age (0-6). Three types of ECD outcomes are critical for life outcomes:

physical growth and well-being, cognitive development, and socio-emotional development.

ECD programs include specific interventions that may vary according to primary objective, coverage (small scale, universal), and other program characteristics.

ECD policies refer to the regulatory framework and institutional arrangements for service delivery at the national and/or state level to ensure that a nation’s children have access to quality ECD services.

National ECD Policy Classification ProcessStep 1: Take stock of existing ECD programs and

interventions, using 9 Key Characteristics

Step 2: Classify ECD interventions and programs into one of four types (sectoral, cross-sectoral, multi- sectoral or comprehensive)

Step 3: Evaluate the level of development of ECD policies at the national and/or subnational level, using four critical dimensions of ECD policies

Step 4: Identify country-specific policy options to strengthen ECD policies and programs

Typology of ECD Programs9 Key Characteristics:

i. Primary policy objective; ii. Brief description; iii. Focus area/intervention

mechanism; iv. Coverage/access; v. Institutional arrangements; vi. Financing; vii. Service providers; viii. Quality assurance

mechanisms; ix. Challenges for going to scale

and improving service delivery.

4 General Types of Programs:

1. Sectoral2. Cross-sectoral3. Multi-sectoral4. Comprehensive

ChildPrenatal

0-23-45-6

Mother(prenatal)

Mother/Father/Caregiver

Healthcare and hygieneMaternal/prenatal health

Water and sanitationHealthcare prevention

Mental Health

Poverty alleviationIncome transfers

Maternity/paternity leave Female labor participation

Home infrastructure

NutritionFood and supplements

EducationPreschool (3-6)

Care (0-3)

What interventions affect ECD (and how)?

Single Sector Specific Sector w/ inputs from other sector

Multiple sectors, specific programs for targeted or universal populations

Comprehensive regular monitoring, some universal services, with tailored interventions

Intervention Areas/Mechanisms

Sectoral

Cross-Sectoral

Multi-Sectoral

Comprehensive

Coordinated interventions across multiple sectors

Com

plex

ity o

f Ins

tituti

onal

Arr

ange

men

ts

A Framework for Classifying ECD Policies

4 dimensions:1. Enabling environment.

2. Degree of

implementation. 3. Monitoring and

quality assurance. 4. Policy focus.

4 levels of development:a.Latentb.Emergingc.Establishedd.Mature

ECD

Policy DimensionsVariables

Level of Development

LATENT EMERGING ESTABLISHED MATURE

ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

Legal framework non existent minimal regulations in some sectors developed

Coordination low within sector high within sector low inter-

institutionalhigh inter-

institutional

Financing ad hoc some programs with sustained

many programs with sustained

sustained for attaining goals

DEGREE OF IMPLEMENTATION

Coverage low expanding universal in some sectors universal in ECD

Programs pilot established in few sectors

established in several sectors

established in ECD

MONITORING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

ECD Information minimal measures

outcomes at national level

outcomes at national, regional,

local level

outcomes at national,

regional, local & individual level

Quality Standards & Compliance

Limited or no standards

Standards in some sectors

Standards in most sectors, compliance

is monitored regularly

Standards in all sectors,

compliance is regularly

monitored and enforced

POLICY FOCUS

ECD Interventions (health, nutrition, education & child

protection)

some and minimal some established well established

services

integrated services

universally provided

Single sector Specific sector w/inputs from other sector

Multiple sectors, specific programs for targeted or

universal populations

Comprehensive regular monitoring. Some universal

services, with tailored interventions

Focus Areas- Mechanisms

Coordinated interventions across

multiple sectors

Com

plex

ity o

f ins

tituti

onal

arr

ange

men

ts

Sectoral

Cross-sectoral

Multi-sectoral

Comprehensive

Nutritional Supplement

Programs in Zambia

Improving the National ECD

Response Through Capacity Building in

Malawi

Zambia PreSchool Association

Tube Poka Program in Malawi

The Maureen Mwanamasa Community

Initiative Market Centre Concept

Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) in Zambia

Case des Tous Petits in Senegal

Programme de la Renforcement de la Nutrition in Senegal

Rapid Response Child-Focused Social

Cash Transfer and Nutrition Security

Project

Child Health Week in Zambia

Community-Based Care Centers in

Malawi

Inventory of ECD Programs in 4 SSA Countries

PROCAPE in Senegal

Social Cash Transfer Scheme in Malawi

Chile Crece Con Tigo

ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

POLICY FOCUS

DEG

REE

OF

IMPL

EMEN

TATI

ON

MATURE POLICY

ESTABLISHED POLICY

EMERGING POLICYLATENT POLICY MO

NITO

RING

AND

QU

ALITY ASSURAN

CE latent emerging established mature

latent

latent

emerging

emerging

established

established

mature mature

latent emerging established mature

Guinea - Niger

Malawi

Mali

Mauritius – South Africa

Mozambique

Nigeria

SenegalTanzania/Zanzibar-Liberia

Latent National ECD Policy

Emerging National ECD Policy

Established National ECD Policy

Mature National ECD Policy

Zambia

From Benchmarks to RoadmapsThere is no one identical path for all countries to

reach ECD goals, but there can be a set of directions, or “Roadmap” to help countries identify their own unique path.

Such a “Roadmap” can be identified by:Taking stock of existing programs and policiesAlong the four critical dimensions – Enabling

Environment, Degree of Implementation, Monitoring and Quality Assurance, and Policy Focus.

Thank you for your attention and we look forward to working with you!

Contact: Mgarcia1@worldbank.org

Strengthening ECD Policies and Programs: Frameworks, Benchmarks and Roadmaps