The African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the African Early Childhood Network (AfECN) is co- convening the Continental Childcare Conference , to be held in Addis Ababa 18th -20th June 2025, under the theme Building Partnerships for Accelerating Action towards Quality & Inclusive Childcare in Africa.
First meeting of Early Childhood Development (ECD) experts in the East African Community (EAC)
The EAC recognizes Early Childhood Development as a critical foundation for human capital development, economic growth, and social equity, aligning with Article 120(c) of the EAC Treaty and the EAC Child Policy (2016). Despite progress, many children under five in the region lack access to quality ECD services. This meeting aimed to consolidate regional efforts, address cross-cutting challenges, harmonize guidelines and validate strategic priorities towards a comprehensive Regional ECD Policy and Action plan, building global commitments like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4.2) and the Nurturing Care Framework.
ECSA-HC responsive caregiving experts’ committee meeting 2025 and learning visit in Zambia
Following a successful 2024 experts meeting held in the sidelines of the East Africa ECD Conference March 2024 in Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania. Among other activities it was proposed by members to consider having some cross-country learning as part of the activities of the experts’ committee. We identified Zambia to share lessons of their community based ECD program Insaka, based on the presentation done during the Health Ministers conference in June 2024 and was further presented at the virtual quarterly meeting in October 2024. Such best practices are aimed to improve outcomes for the region’s children by supporting the effort on the implementation of the Nurturing Care Framework, particularly the responsive caregiving component across the east, central and southern Africa region.
Blog: Tackling learning poverty in Africa: building collaborative partnerships to scale-up early learning assessments in west and central Africa region.
Author: KIX Early Learning Assessment Project Coordination Team
Institution: Africa Early Childhood Network
Access to inclusive and equitable quality education is key to promoting better human capital outcomes, as it leads to accumulation of knowledge and skills needed for socio-economic development of a country. Indeed, when children access quality education measured by better learning outcomes, it builds their capacities in ways that not only contributes to their personal success but also leads to better social wellbeing and productivity. The need for quality education for all children is acknowledged in global and regional frameworks including Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and Africa Agenda 2063. For example, while SDG 4 recognizes the need to provide quality education for all with as special focus on most vulnerable populations, Agenda 2063[1] identifies provision of quality education focused on achieving 100% literacy and numeracy as a key driver to Africa’s prosperity. The agenda calls for universal access to quality early childhood, primary and secondary education, ensuring that no child is left behind, and that the potential of every child is nurtured (Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want).[2]
[1] A blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.
[2] https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Agenda+2063
Launch of the compendium of African initiatives to support parents & caregivers of adolescents and young children.
The compendium of African initiatives to support parents and caregivers has a lot to offer for policy and decision-makers, as well as development partners, civil society organisations and implementing organisations.
Welcome to the PATH Early Childhood Development Knowledge Hub
From 2012 to 2024, PATH and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation partnered to support the Ministries of Health in Mozambique and Kenya to design and pilot health system interventions that promote optimal development for the youngest children.
Along that journey other partners and donors joined this endeavour, and Mozambique and Kenya became learning hubs for promoting early childhood development in the health sector. Ethiopia, Zambia, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, and Malawi have subsequently adapted materials and approaches tried and tested in Mozambique and Kenya to their context.
Regional Meeting on Measurement of Early Childhood Development in Eastern and Southern Africa | 24 - 27 October 2023 | Kigali, Rwanda
The Regional Meeting on Measurement of Early Childhood Development in Eastern and Southern Africa will provide an opportunity to take stock of the available measurement tools and indicators that are important for ECD; to exchange experiences and streamline efforts; and to agree on how to ensure relevant data is captured and utilized to strengthen policies and services.
SAVE THE DATE – High-Level ECE Side Event at TICAD VII 28th -30th August 2019 in Yokohama, Japan
A child’s most important steps happen before they set foot in a primary school. By their fifth birthday, children’s brains are 90% developed and the foundations for success at school and in later life are in place. This makes a child’s early years a critical window of opportunity – to set the foundations for life-long success, first at school, and later in life.