Integrating Early Childhood Care and Education in Sri Lanka : From Global Evidence to National Action
Changes in social and family structures, gender roles, and working environments have led some countries to introduce integrated centers for early childhood care and education (ECCE) for children ages zero to five years, combining the advantages of preschools and childcare centers. ECCE services...
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| Format: | Book |
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Washington, DC: World Bank
2020
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| Online Access: | https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/626491603440496920/integrating-early-childhood-care-and-education-in-sri-lanka-from-global-evidence-to-national-action http://hdl.handle.net/10986/34646 |
| Summary: | Changes in social and family structures, gender roles, and working
environments have led some countries to introduce integrated centers
for early childhood care and education (ECCE) for children ages zero to five
years, combining the advantages of preschools and childcare centers. ECCE
services are becoming increasingly important for countries as a support
system for working parents. In countries such as Sri Lanka, where female
participation in the labor force is low in comparison with international
standards, providing affordable childcare services could also help more
mothers to enter the labor market. Responding to the needs of employees,
child development centers in the plantation areas in Sri Lanka are already
providing integrated childcare services for children in this age group. The
increasing demand for affordable childcare services and the growing
recognition of the benefits of holistic early childhood development have
brought ECCE to the forefront of Sri Lanka’s development agenda. Well-designed ECCE systems can improve the lives of children and
families and provide significant advantages to national economies.
Access to effective ECCE can equalize learning opportunities by
improving school readiness and by putting children on a more equal
footing at the primary school level. These early advantages have
proved to have a lasting impact, affecting both educational and
earning potential in the adult years. The significant income
inequalities in countries such as Sri Lanka could be addressed through
investment in effective ECCE programs, and enhanced understanding
of the benefits and potential long-term impacts of ECCE could help
governments tailor programs to ensure maximum return on
investment. This study seeks to answer the following questions: Is it more
effective to provide early childcare and education services separately
or in an integrated manner? Under what conditions would the
provision of separate care and education services be more effective?
The study provides an analysis of the ECCE environment in Sri Lanka,
with recommendations for improvement within the current context.
The information presented in the study is a starting point to foster the
improved understanding of a complex subject area involving multiple
stakeholders. |
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