How Policy Affects Early Childhood Care and Development.

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Further, it is recommended that: parent and community support and involvement be mobilized in creating awareness, planning, implementing, and sharing the cost of ECD programmes. It is also recommended that: media be involved in promoting a greater understanding of child development, and the responsibility and role of the private sector in ECD provision. 7. Training is a key component in the successful implementation of any curriculum. The study revealed that current training, for the most part is inadequate. Therefore it is recommended that: a national ECD training system be established which provides a framework for the development of training packages, certification for trainees, accreditation of trainers and training centres, decentralized resource centres, and mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating training programmes. 8. Research and evaluation provide data important in the planning process. Across ECD programmes there is a lack of evaluation of programme effectiveness and impact. Further, there is a gap between academic research and its application in terms of programming. Therefore it is recommended that the following research be pursued: –the impact of available models (e.g. home and community-based as well as centre-based) on children's later growth and development. –the cost-effectiveness of different programme approaches. 9. At the present time government provision of ECD is heavily subsidized. Therefore, it is recommended that: in line with government policy to increase the private sector participation in all public services, strategies be developed, which will shift the financing of ECD from Government to the private sector, the community and parents. Further, it is recommended that: alternative models of financing ECD be explored, including taxation, the development of Trusts, and philanthropic initiatives. The 1994 Budget includes a tax benefit for businesses offering ECD services. The effectiveness of the approach needs to be evaluated. To address the issues identified and the recommendations made thus far, 18
It is recommended that: as an interim measure, a National Early Childhood Development Council be created within the Prime Minister's Department for the purpose of formulating, conceptualizing and overseeing ECD programmes in the various sectors (government, non-governmental and private). The Council should be supported by a strong Secretariat with technical skills related to ECD. In the long term the Council should be institutionalised within a major Ministry. The draft policy that resulted from the study reads: A National ECD Policy It is known that: the foundation for children's growth and development is established within the first few years of life and that learning begins at birth; Further, it has been demonstrated that: –conducive and stimulating environments that enhance young children's physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual development lead to holistic and balanced individuals; and that –investments in early childhood development modify social and economic inequalities, addressing the issues of accessibility, equity and equality; and that –quality early childhood programmes provide an environment which supports the transmission of cultural, moral and religious values that are the underpinnings of a fully moral and ethical society. Thus, with a focus on Vision 2020 and the nine central strategic challenges, the Government of Malaysia has made a commitment to the promotion of the importance of early childhood years, from conception through the early primary grades. Further, in accordance with government policy, close collaboration will be sought with the private sector in the implementation of appropriate early childhood programmes. The recommendations of the Task Force are currently under review by the Government of Malaysia. South Africa The motivation for the study in South Africa 2 was different from the motivation in Malaysia. The study was begun a year and a half before the first free election in 1994. The impetus for the study was the high rates of repetition and dropout in education for a large percentage of the population. It was recognized that once the new government came into power there would be political demands to level the playing field. Therefore the new South African government would 19
Page 1 and 2: The Consultative Group on Early Chi
Page 3 and 4: early childhood community needs a b
Page 5 and 6: (v) There must be a cloakroom, toil
Page 7 and 8: creating a policy to assure its sus
Page 9 and 10: What is the Process for Changing Po
Page 11 and 12: To help the government become aware
Page 13 and 14: activity among the current stakehol
Page 15 and 16: In the 1970s, Malaysia implemented
Page 17: 3. There is a lack of knowledge abo
Page 21 and 22: 21 determined. Given the capacity a
Page 23 and 24: The costs of implementing the recom
Page 25 and 26: Endnotes 1 The material for this ca
Page 27 and 28: The communication may be face-to-fa
Page 29 and 30: In the book for which this Preface
Page 33 and 34: The programme is a community-based
Page 35 and 36: direct effects on the mother hersel
Page 37 and 38: The project built and strengthened
Page 39 and 40: effectively with their children at
Page 41 and 42: Kagitcibasi, C. 1983. "Early Childh
Page 43 and 44: Chile: TILNA—Workshops for Local
Page 45 and 46: Ghana Submitted by Seema Argawal Th
Page 47 and 48: For more information on Early Child
Page 49 and 50: This Dutch programme was adapted fr
Page 51 and 52: The original programme started in 1
Page 55 and 56: The World Summit for Children and N
Page 57 and 58: circumstances, including children w
Page 59 and 60: Some Questions for Readers to Ask W
Page 61: Childwatch International P.O. Box 1

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