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Early Childhood

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Overview

In the Philippines, early childhood, defined by UNICEF as the period up to eight years of age, is recognized as a foundational stage for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.

Despite the establishment of supportive policies and programs, challenges persist in ensuring universal access to early childhood care and education, particularly for marginalized groups.

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  • Critical Development Period: Early childhood is a crucial phase for overall development, with long-term impacts on an individual's future.
  • Areas of Measurement: The quality of home care, access to early childhood education, and children's developmental status are key metrics for assessing early childhood development.
  • Critical Development Period: Early childhood is a crucial phase for overall development, with long-term impacts on an individual's future.
  • Areas of Measurement: The quality of home care, access to early childhood education, and children's developmental status are key metrics for assessing early childhood development.

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  • Early Childhood Development Checklist: The Department of Education's checklist aids caregivers and service providers in tracking a child's progress across multiple domains.
  • Legislative Framework: The Early Childhood Care and Development Act (Republic Act No. 8980) provides comprehensive legislation to support development in various areas.
  • Early Childhood Development Checklist: The Department of Education's checklist aids caregivers and service providers in tracking a child's progress across multiple domains.
  • Legislative Framework: The Early Childhood Care and Development Act (Republic Act No. 8980) provides comprehensive legislation to support development in various areas.

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  • Committee on the Rights of the Child’s Observations: The 2009 report highlighted the need for expanded early childhood programs and increased preschool education access, with a focus on marginalized children, including those with disabilities.
  • Current Participation Rates: Despite efforts, low engagement in early childhood education remains, with certain demographics still underrepresented.
  • Nutritional Concerns: Child wasting is a significant issue, although there has been a slight decrease in prevalence from 2018 to 2021.
  • Committee on the Rights of the Child’s Observations: The 2009 report highlighted the need for expanded early childhood programs and increased preschool education access, with a focus on marginalized children, including those with disabilities.
  • Current Participation Rates: Despite efforts, low engagement in early childhood education remains, with certain demographics still underrepresented.
  • Nutritional Concerns: Child wasting is a significant issue, although there has been a slight decrease in prevalence from 2018 to 2021.