CHIP Briefing 4: Early childhood care and development (ECD) - An innoculation against poverty or a daycare refuge for the very poor?

From:: Department for International Development
Published: 1 January 2004

Document Type:: Briefing
Theme:: Social Change
Authors:: Marcus, R., Hill, F., Harper, C.

Abstract

Early Childhood Development Programmes are often seen as a cost-effective 'innoculation' against poverty. This briefing suggests that there is little evidence to support this, even in well-resourced programmes. Indeed, the under-resourcing of many ECD programmes in poor countries means that, for the foreseeable future, their greatest contribution may be in providing a safe place for children while parents work and consistent care for particularly vulnerable children.

Citation

Hill, F., Harper, C., Marcus, R. (2004) CHIP Briefing 4: Early childhood care and development (ECD) - An innoculation against poverty or a daycare refuge for the very poor? Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre (CHIP), London, UK, 4 pp.