The evaluations are being designed to measure the impact of expo-
sure to preschool interventions and social programs that target
young children on the children’s performance in primary school.ECD for All: Looking to the Future
ECD interventions should be at the top of any government’s list of ini-
tiatives for economic development and growth. Yet, in industrialized
anddeveloping countries, there is a disconnect between knowledge
and action—what we know about young children’s development and
what we are doing to promote ECD policies and programs. To realize
the benefits of ECD policies and programs for human-capital forma-
tion and economic growth, societies must address this disconnect and
close the gap.
Every child—poor and nonpoor, rural and urban—in every country
should have the opportunity to access and benefit from quality ECD
services that offer cognitive, physical, and social stimulation; adequate
nutrition; and proper care and nurturing.ECD belongs to all children. The research shows that children at
all socioeconomic levels may be vulnerable and could benefit from
effective ECD policies and programs. For countries with limited re-
sources, the targeting of ECD programs to children who are most vul-
nerable may be an effective strategy while trying to reach all of the
vulnerable children throughout society.
A comprehensive strategy of early child development for all children
does not exclude targeting of especially vulnerable children. The two
approaches are complementary and mutually supportive.During the past decade, a great deal of progress has been made.
There are many, many examples of effective ECD programs, national
ECD policies, and, increasingly, public–private cooperation and inno-
10 Mary Eming Young