Opening the Window of Opportunity: ECD and HIV/AIDS Programs in Africa Presented by Jodie Fonseca Education and HIV/AIDS Advisor 7 August 2008

Looking at the World through the Eyes of Young Children

ECD: The Gap... and the Window Ages 0-2 ANC/PNC CSH IMCI PMTCT PedART Ages 5-8 Primary School SHN Ages 3-5 ECD Centers Parenting Education Home Mentoring

Genesis of CBCCs: –OVC committees felt the need to provide care & support to children and respite for caregivers Typically for children ages 3-5 Links to homes and external services Funding from USG, UNICEF, private donors Increasing focus on ECD quality standards One Model in Africa: Community Based-Childcare Centers Malawi Ethiopia Uganda Mozambique

ECD Program Road Map: Mozambique Govt Outreach Community Mobilization & Center Construction Volunteer Identification, Training & Support Parenting Education & Service Linkages M&E and Advocacy Scale-up

Govt Outreach Community Mobilization & Center Construction I didn't have the opportunity to go beyond grade 3. My children went much further than me. As for my grandchildren, I hope they will attend the university. -Fabiao Sitoe, Community Leader, age 70

5-day basic training Practical application of skills Learning from the child’s perspective Followed by in-service support Volunteer Identification, Training & Support

Volunteer Identification, Training & Support

Volunteer Identification, Training & Support Use of Art and Local Materials

Appreciative methodology, building on strengths Modules with topics such as –Building communication and literacy –Positive discipline –Nutrition and stimulation –Learning through play Parenting Education & Service Linkages

Partnership with World Bank on impact evaluation Range of instruments: –Ages & Stages –Picture Peabody Vocabulary Test –Early Development Instrument –Household Survey M&E

Unclear “ownership” of ECD Many small and uncoordinated programs ECD working group Ministry of Education plans to pilot a pre- primary year Potential to reach ~600,000 5-year-old children per year Advocacy

Community Land Labor Materials Volunteers IGAs Nutrition Service Links Donors Resources Advocacy Govt Strategies Standards Curricula Training Support Infrastructure Materials Service Links NGOs / UN Pilots Comm-Govt Links Capacity- Building Technical Expertise M&E Advocacy Everyone Has a Role to Play

ItemCost/Child/YearHow Can We Reduce Costs? Center Construction$ Day Training$ 5.12 Decentralize; don’t provide accommodation or meals Facilitator Stipend$ 3.00 Higher community contribution Kit of Learning Materials $ 2.12 Include more local materials; mass production Total:$ Scale-up

ECD and HIV/AIDS Linkages ECD Program PMTCT ART HBC VCT HIV Prev

—Dr. Seuss, The Lorax Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.

Thank you! Contact: Jodie Fonseca