Guidelines for Early Childhood Development Centres

Abstract

Definition of Early Childhood Development As quoted from the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Policy, ECD is a process through which young children grow and thrive physically, mentally, socially, emotionally and morally. It begins from conception and extends up to 8 years of age. ECD at the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) targets children from birth to eight years of age. ECD involves a set of actions and behaviors that support a child's development in a holistic manner including: feeding, clothing, shelter and supervision, preventing and attending to illnesses, engaging the child in interaction, providing stimulation and safe environment for play and exploration, providing love, affection and security, and enabling the development of self esteem and self confidence. Children's development occurs in stages and development is a function of both maturation and learning. Regardless of how much environmental stimulation children may receive, they cannot learn until they are developmentally ready to do so. On the other hand, if the environment limits opportunities for learning, children will be unable to realize their potential. The ECD programmes therefore should take into account the developmental readiness of the child as an individual bearing in mind that children differ in their needs, interests, abilities and that they (children) develop in different ways at different rates. It should strongly be recognized that the developmental process follows a consistent course and every individual normally passes through each major stage of development.