Cies esss phco presentation 2007
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The document discusses the Early Steps to School Success (ESSS) initiative in the Philippines, highlighting critical issues such as low breastfeeding rates, high child mortality, and lack of early education access among Filipino children. It outlines opportunities for action, including the national ECCD law and strategies to enhance early childhood development services. The program targets urban and rural poor communities, aiming to support over 5,000 children and 1,800 families through various educational and health initiatives over several developmental stages.
Cies esss phco presentation 2007
- 1. Early Steps to School Success (ESSS) The Philippines Context Presented by Cecilia Ochoa Philippines Country Office
- 2. ESSS: why relevant in the Philippines • Issues & challenges - Of 100 Filipino children: – Only 15 are exclusively breastfed during their first 6 months – 4 will likely die before their 5th birthday – 26 are not fully immunized & 30 are underweight for age – 66 still do not have access to day care, preschool or other early learning opportunities – 60 first graders will likely not be “school ready” / have skills critical to succeed in school; 17 will likely drop out during the first grade of primary school – High levels of disparity: poorer communities worse off in ECD access and quality
- 3. ESSS: why relevant in the Philippines • Opportunities for action – National ECCD law (RA 8980) calling for the establishment of an integrated and comprehensive ECCD system from national to village levels – Push for making preschool education universal and compulsory, and part of the basic ed ladder – Push to expand access to ECD services, especially via home-based or community based care – Growing government concern on school readiness & the first few years of primary education, because of high levels of repetition and dropout in the early grades – Ongoing articulation of minimum quality standards for ECCD service delivery
- 4. ESSS in the Philippines: Approaches • Build on mandate for integrated & comprehensive ECCD provided for by law • Emphasize integrated delivery of health, social services and education for young children • Work at both the national advocacy and community sustainability levels • Strengthen existing local structures such as the Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children (BCPCs) • Strengthen parents’ capacities as primary caregivers and educators of children • Assist communities in meeting national standards for quality ECCD • Strengthen home to ECD to school transitions
- 5. ESSS in the Philippines: sites & targets • ESSS will be implemented in urban poor and rural poor contexts – 2 barangays in Taguig/Pateros in Metro Manila: high concentration of poor families, low access to quality ECD services due to high demand and limited resources – 5 barangays in Lake Sebu, S. Cotabato province, Region XII, Mindanao: remote, underserved and impoverished communities, with a mix of ethnic minorities, Muslim communities and Christian settlers • Working in 10 communities (barangays) will allow ESSS to reach an estimated 5,200 children and 1,800 parents/families
- 7. ESSS in the Philippines: some program elements • Strong Beginnings (Pregnancy to 12 months) – Capacity building for local health service providers – Promotion of prenatal & post natal care for mothers – Parent education on positive newborn and infant care, health and developmental stimulation practices – Pilot test integrated health and early literacy approach (e.g., via Reach Out & Read model)
- 8. ESSS in the Philippines: some program elements • First Steps to School Success (12 to 36 months) – Strengthen health providers’ delivery of Integrated Management of Child Illnesses (IMCI) – Build/strengthen home-based ECD models for under 3’s – Sustain parent education efforts, focused on positive health practices and developmental stimulation of children – Support community-based and home- based early literacy support programs (Reading for Children)
- 9. ESSS in the Philippines: some program elements • Stepping Up to School Success (36 to 60 months) – Expand ECD access by supporting alternatives to center-based programs (e.g., KapitBahay Aralan or neighborhood learning model) – Build capacity of day care workers/preschool teachers and support public day care centers/public preschools in meeting quality ECD standards – Integrate health content and services into early learning opportunities – Sustain parent education on positive care & development of young children
- 10. ESSS in the Philippines: some program elements • Stepping Forward in School (6 to 8 years old) – Summer learning program for prospective first grade entrants with no prior ECD exposure – School welcome days and parent education initiatives – School health & nutrition interventions – Teacher training and promotion of developmentally appropriate teaching-learning approaches for early grades – Basa para sa Bata (Reading for Children) program