17904 Georgia Avenue, Suite 21
Olney, Maryland 20832
Contact: Gerald C. Odland , Executive Director
Phone: (301) 570-2111
Fax: (301) 570-2212
Web Site: http://www.acei.org
E-mail: aceihq@aol.com
The Association for Childhood Education International is the oldest
professional organization of its kind in the world. Established
in 1892, ACEI's mission is to promote the inherent rights, education
and well being of all children, from infancy through early adolescence,
in the home, school and community. It is a member-driven association,
guided by a dynamic philosophy of education that is flexible and
responsive to human needs in a changing society.
The mission is supported by six purposes:
- To promote the inherent rights, education and well-being of
all children in their homes, schools, and communities
- To work for desirable conditions, programs, and practices for
children from infancy through early adolescence.
- To bring into active cooperation all individuals and groups
concerned with children
- To raise the standard of preparation for those actively involved
with the care and development of children
- To encourage continuous professional growth of educators
- To focus the public's attention on rights and needs of children
and the ways various programs must be adjusted to fit those rights
and needs.
To achieve these proposes, ACEI has created hundreds of products, services,
publications, and programs that foster the professional growth of educators
and help meet the needs of children. ACEI members are involved in literally
thousands of activities each year, from educating the public to performing
community services.
136 Cavell Street
London, United Kingdom E1 2JA
Contact: Anne Nelson , Director and Many Lewis, National Chair
Phone: 020 7539 5400
Fax: 020 7539 5409
Web Site: http://www.early-education.org.uk
E-mail: office@early-education.org.uk
The British Association for Early Childhood Education (Early Education), founded
in 1923, is the leading national voluntary organisation for early years practitioners
and parents with members and branches in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland
and Wales.
Early Education promotes the right of all children to education of the highest
quality. It provides support, advice and information on best practice for everyone
concerned with the education and care of young children from birth to eight.
Objectives
- offer advice, guidance and information about provision and best practice
for all those concerned with young children from birth to eight years
- provide a national voice on early childhood education, advising central
and local government and the media
- support a network of branches across the UK
- acknowledge and encourage partnership and involvement with families
- produce a termly journal Early Education, regular newsletters, and a website
giving information and opinions on current early years issues and concerns,
national and branch events
- publish material on aspects of early childhood education and child development
- organise conferences, lectures, seminars and discussion forums
- maintain a comprehensive website
- manage major projects on key national issues
- maintain a historic library and archive
Membership subscription includes the termly journal Early Education, regular
newsletters and mailings, reduced rates at national and branch events and voting
rights at the annual general meeting.
www.early-education.org.uk
302-1775 West 11th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6J 2C1
Contact: Dr. Wayne Eastman , President
Phone: (709) 637-8533
Fax: (604) 524-2212
Web Site: http://www.cayc.ca
E-mail: wayne.eastman@cna.nl.ca
What is the CAYC?
The Canadian Association for Young Children (CAYC) was granted
it's Federal Charter in 1974. To this day, the CAYC is the only
national association specifically concerned with the well being
of children, birth through age nine - at home, in preschool settings
and at school.
Members of this multi-disciplinary association include parents,
teachers, caregivers, administrators, students and all those wishing
to share ideas and participate in activities related to the education
and welfare of young children.
The Aims of the CAYC
- To influence the direction and quality of policies and programs
that affects the development and well being of young children
in Canada.
- To provide as forum for the members of Canada’s early childhood
communities to support one another in providing developmentally
appropriate programs for young children.
- To promote and provide opportunities for professional development
for those charged with the care and education of young children.
- To promote opportunities for effective liaison and collaboration
with all those responsible for young children.
- To recognize outstanding contributions to the well being of
young children.
383 Parkdale Avenue, Suite 201
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Y 4R4
Contact: Barbara Coyle , Executive Director
Phone: (613) 729-5289
Fax: (613) 729-3159
Web Site: http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca
E-mail: info@cccf-fcsge.ca
The Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF) is a national non-profit
organization funded by membership fees, publication advertising,
direct sales, government agencies and private foundations.
The overall mission of the CCCF is to improve the quality of child
care services for Canadian families.
CCCF is a national membership based organization that provides
information, education, policy research and development to direct
service providers (including child care organizations), educational
institutions, government policymakers and public opinion leaders.
CCCF has a governance structure of Member Council including representatives
of the CCCF's provincial/territorial affiliate organizations and
a Board of Directors, elected from and by the Member Council.
The goals of the CCCF are:
- Providing information to and facilitating "networking"
among a broad range of target groups.
Our services and programs are targeted to direct service providers,
child care organizations, educational institutions, government
policymakers and public opinion leaders.
- Supporting initiatives that increase the skill, expertise and
awareness of the target groups in their respective roles in support
of improved quality of child care services. This focus on education
is built into many of its initiatives and actions.
- Increasing its focus on policy and research, influencing the
child care policy framework and supporting research to improve
the quality of child care services.
2821 Emerywood Parkway
Richmond, Virginia 23294
Contact: Mary Moran
Phone: (800) 776-6767
Web Site: http://www.christianchildrensfund.org
Christian Children's Fund (CCF) is a non-sectarian international
child development organization, assisting 4.6 million children and
families regardless of race, creed, or gender. CCF works in 31 countries
worldwide, providing children with access to education, nutrition,
and health benefits. CCF also helps develop communities by creating
financial infrastructure and provides income-generating
activities for parents. In addition, CCF helps children get the
best start in life through programs that support integral growth
and development, stimulating learning from birth through age five.
Ryerson University, School of Early Childhood Education
350 Victoria Street, Faculty of Community Services
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2K3
Contact: Louise Zimanyi and Chanel Croker
Phone: (416) 979-5000 ext 4801
Fax: (416) 979-5384
Web Site: http://www.ecdgroup.com
E-mail: info@ecdgroup.com
The Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development (CGECCD)—established in 1983—is an international consortium comprised of multi and bi-lateral donor agencies and international foundations and NGOs, national and regional institutions and networks, and academic/educational institutions and organizations that advocate and support program and policy development for young children (0–8) at risk.
The Consultative Group’s mission is to improve early childhood policy and practice focusing on children in disadvantaged circumstances. We do this by promoting a wider dialogue among practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, and national and international agencies; through the analysis, synthesis and dissemination of knowledge and through coordinated advocacy.
Key Objectives of the Consultative Group include to:
· Contribute to the development of a diverse global knowledge base on
ECCD through analysis, synthesis and dissemination which is accessible and used by a wide range of actors and stakeholders.
·Facilitate a broad-based global understanding of the critical importance of
ECCD to social development and poverty reduction and advocate for improved investments, policies and actions to support the holistic development of young children.
· Strengthen national and regional capacities to generate and
disseminate knowledge, share information and advocate for the support of children’s overall development.
The main terms of participation in the Consultative Group includes active collaboration in and contribution to CG core activities and/or joint initiatives including provision of financial support.
The Consultative Group operates through a
Secretariat* supported by an Executive Board comprised of CGECCD Partners. The CG draws on its diverse partners as well as others’ work, knowledge and expertise to actively identify gaps, critical issues and emerging areas of need and interest related to ECCD; enhance our awareness-raising, advocacy, and dissemination efforts; and broaden participation in the work of the CGECCD.
We believe that it is critical to promote a diverse and creative range of ECCD activities that link different sectors, are more inclusive and better address young children’s needs and circumstances in the context of the family and/or community.
Key Priorities and Joint Initiatives for 2006–2010:
Recognising the strengths of the CGECCD as a global coalition that facilitates influential “knowledge-networking” and advocacy processes aimed at influencing decision-makers and development partners working within the Majority and Minority World contexts, over the period 2006–2010, the CG aims to:
1. Highlight ‘Moving ECCD Principles To Action’
2. Focus on Five Key Areas:
· ECCD Costs, Financing and Resource Mobilisation
· ECCD response to HIV/AIDS
· ECCD in Emergencies and Conflicts
· Leadership and Management of ECCD in the Majority World
· ECCD Quality and Diversity
3. Identify and advocate for how these focus areas relate to and feed into
Global Frameworks and Agendas including: Education for All (EFA) and the Global Monitoring Report (GMR) on ECCE , Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRSPs), Sector- Wide Approaches (SWAPs), Fast Track Initiatives (FTIs) etc.
Ongoing Essential Activities:
· Development of Working Groups that focus on priority areas of the CGECD
· Publication of the
Coordinators’ Notebook annually
· Research on prioritized issues and publication of books,
reports, a CD-Rom on ECCD, etc.
· Attendance and active involvement at key fora and international meetings
·Support existing regional or sub-regional ECCD networks and other actors
· Identification of people, particularly from different Majority
World countries and regions, who can provide technical advice and programming, evaluation and research assistance
·Organize at least one international consultation meeting each year
· Ongoing development and expansion of the CGECCD
Website:
http://www.ecdgroup.com
· Regular email news-updates and circulation of ECCD materials and information
* The Secretariat is currently housed at Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada through the support of the Office of International Affairs and the Faculty of Community Services.
23 Mary Help of Christians Street
Better Living Subdivision
Paranaque City, Philippines 1700
Contact: Dr. Lily Rodrigo-Canlas
Phone: 823-78-75
Fax: 823-92-26
Web Site: http://www.jesu-mariae-school.8m.com
CONCEP, INC. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
In 1987, DECS Secretary Quisumbing set up the Coordinating Council
for Early Childhood Education or CONCEP as advisory body to DEC
on Early Childhood Education. Selected preschool educators became
the founding members and the current DECS-BEE Director as Chairman.
Dr. Lily Rodrigo-Canlas, President of Association of Early Childhood
Education.
The CONCEP, Inc. envision a diverse, national community of preschool
educators at the leading edge of educational innovation, forging
symergy in managing, administering, and developing programs for
the success of all learners at the preschool level.
The CONCEP, Inc. mission is to develop a private educational grou
of school administrators, CEO’s, directors and prncipals of
preschools in the Philippines forging covenants in teaching and
learning through a total quality management of preschool resources
towards a voluntary process of accreditation.
To achieve that mission, CONCEP provides its members with resources
and contacts to foster the professional development and becoming
an educational leader for the students.
It aims to provide its members CONCEP: Annual Conference offers
several information packed sessions in an attractive setting; Newsletter
a scholarly journal with latest updates of events, discussion of
relevant issues, policies, procedures, programs research, trends,
ideas and strategies towards the improvement of the preschool education,
is available by subscription and provided to members of substantial
savings; Sponsored Networks offers an opportunity to participate
with colleagues in exploring specific subject areas or fiel of interest;
Human Resource Development Program is available to schools, administrators,
teachers and human resource personnel who want to provide the best
possible staff development.
It is in this vein that CONCEP assumes a role of providing its
members with resources and contacts for professional development
and eventually became leaders for the students, hence a need for
an organized and developed private group of school administrators,
directors, principals, teachers of preschools in the Philippines
to forge covenants in teaching and learning through quality of preschool
resources which are directed towards a voluntary process of accreditation.
An empowered partnership between the Department of Education (Dep
Ed) CONCEP, Inc. is an affirmation of the importance of quality
preschool education for national development.
CONCEP is now a member of WF Alliance and WF National Representative
in the Philippines.
1313 L Street, NW, Suite 500
Suite 120
Washington, DC 20005
Contact: Eric J. Karolak, Ph.D.
Phone: (202) 408-9623
Fax: (202) 408-9627
Web Site: http://www.ececonsortium.org
The Early Care and Education Consortium is a non-profit alliance of America’s leading national, regional, and independent providers of quality early learning and development programs for young children. ECEC member organizations operate more than 7,500 centers enrolling nearly 800,000 children in 49 states and the District of Columbia. As the voice for quality early care and education providers at the national level, the Consortium includes private non-profit and for-profit members, and large, multi-state organizations as well as smaller entities that operate in one or only a few states.
ECEC promotes critical investments in early childhood and actively collaborates with partners to advance sound public policies relating to prekindergarten, program quality, and child care assistance for low income families.
PO Box 7105
Watson, ACT, Australia 2602
Contact: Judy Radich , National President
Phone: 61-2-6242-1800
Fax: 61-2-6242-1818
Web Site: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au
E-mail: eca@earlychildhood.org.au
Founded in 1938, Early Childhood Australia
(ECA) is a non-profit, non-government organisation that acts in
the interests of children from birth to eight years of age. AECA
actively promotes the provision of high quality services for all
young children and their families to ensure that the best interests
of the child, and the principles of social justice and quality are
paramount in all matters relating to children in their early years.
Advocacy work is done at both a National and State level. The scope
and diversity of that work reflects a wide range of issues and activities.
This work covers children’s rights, early years of schooling,
promotion of national high quality children’s services systems,
playground standards, funding and standards of children’s services,
and development of a national agenda for children.
ECA is also a leading specialist publisher of early childhood
literature and publications. These publications include the AustralianJournal
of Early Childhood, Every Child Magazine and the acclaimed Research
in Practice Series. In addition the Association markets and sells
books on early childhood topics from other leading publishers.
PO Box 90 547
Auckland, New Zealand
Contact: Susan M. Thorne
Phone: 0064 4 965 2011
Fax: 0064 4 965 2013
Web Site: http://www.ecc.org.nz
E-mail: ceo@ecc.org.nz
The primary purpose of the Early Childhood Council (ECC) is to represent the interests of independent early childhood centres, and to promote the provision of quality early childhood education services. The ECC provides unity and strength to the education and care sector through a common voice and a shared direction.
The ECC was formed in 1990 and officially incorporated in 1991. The ECC is largely funded by membership subscriptions; membership is voluntary and is available to all licensed independent early childhood centres. With approximately 1000 licensed education and care centres as members of the ECC, our organisation is the largest representative body of early childhood centres in New Zealand.
Our members' centres are diverse, ranging from centres in small rural towns to those in large cities, from centres as small as 10 licensed places through to a number of 50-place centres that are managed as part of large groups. Approximately 60% of members’ centres are owner-operated; the remaining 40% are community owned.
The ECC provides a range of benefits and services to its members, including phone and email support via expert advisors, discounts through various goods and services providers, an insurance scheme tailored specifically to the early childhood sector, regular news updates, access to our information library via our website, and the magazine Swings & Roundabouts. We provide members with a number of handbooks and produce surveys each year covering employment, fee rates and policies in the sector. The ECC also runs a number of professional development opportunities throughout the year including a number of seminar series and the Early Childhood Council Annual Conference, the largest annual early childhood conference in New Zealand.
The Council employs a Chief Executive Officer, an Administration Manager, a Publications Manager and a Communication Manager.
The Early Childhood Council is the largest representative body of licensed early childhood centres in New Zealand. Our 1000 member centres are both community-owned and commercially owned, employ more than 7000 staff, and care for more than 50,000 children.
1581 LeRoy Avenue
Berkeley, California 94708
Contact: Ken Jaffe , Executive Director
Phone: (510) 644-1000
Fax: (510) 525-4106
Web Site: http://www.icrichild.org
E-mail: info@icrichild.org
Our mission is to improve the lives of children and families throughout
the world, enabling them to survive and succeed. Since 1981, ICRI
has been providing services for families and children locally and
around the world. ICRI provides technical assistance and consultation
to a wide variety of national and international organizations, businesses,
governments, non-profits and others interested in such children's
issues as child care, child abuse prevention, child survival, maternal
and child health, placement alternatives for abandoned and traumatized
children and the promotion of children's rights.
Using an extensive information base of model national and international
children's programs, ICRI is able to bring the best from around
the world to each consultation or project. The most up-to-date and
appropriate data regarding programs, needs assessments, curricula,
facility development, program implementation and evaluation, training,
cost effectiveness, tax advantages and more is incorporated into
each contract or project.
ICRI has developed partnerships with child and family projects
in more than 35 countries and has 52 field representatives in countries
around the world including the United States, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Ghana, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, China,
Malaysia, Thailand, Netherlands, and Sweden.
The ICRI credo is, "We only go where we are invited."
ICRI works with local groups who have identified a specific need
for children and families. The local group requests ICRI's assistance
then outlines ICRI's involvement and the unique benefits of partnership.
ICRI's Board then selects projects that best fit the organization's
mission and make the most of our skills and expertise.
Rakoczi ut 22. IV.
24.H-1072
Budapest, Hungary
Contact: Sarah Klaus , Executive Director
Phone: (361) 486-2855
Fax: (361) 266-3463
Web Site: http://www.issa.nl
E-mail: coordinator@issa.nl
(USA) 400 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019 USA
(Netherlands) Keizergracht 62-641015 CS, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The International Step By Step Association (ISSA) is a non-governmental
membership organization established in the Netherlands in 1999,
which unites the capacities of individuals and organizations into
a powerful network to foster democratic principles and promote parent
and community involvement in early childhood education. ISSA's founding
organizations, located in 29 countries in Central and Eastern Europe,
the Commonwealth of Independent States, Mongolia and Haiti, implement
national Step by Step early childhood reform programs that improve
educational and care opportunities for all children. ISSA invites
individuals and organizations from around the world to join in our
professional activities and network.
Our mission:
ISSA is an open forum for parents, educators, and communities to
advocate for democratic values and access to quality care and education
for all children. ISSA provides early childhood professionals with
opportunities for on-going growth, develops educational resources,
and implements high quality programs based on a child-centered approach,
active parent and community involvement, and current research. With
its extensive international network, professional capacity and infrastructure,
ISSA acts in cooperation with other partners nationally, regionally,
and globally to benefit children, their families, and communities.
Our philosophy:
- Equal access to educational and care opportunities for all children
regardless of gender, race, religion, nationality or ability
- Child centered, individualized teaching methods
- Parent and community involvement in public education programs
- Fostering democratic principles and ideas in children
- Culturally-appropriate environments and approaches
- Emphasis of the teachers' role as a facilitator in the learning
process
- Learning environments designed to be physically and psychologically
safe
- Choice and independence for learners
- Parents as the primary educators of their children
- Commitment to on-going professional development
Our structure:
ISSA is governed by a Board of Directors, which is elected every
two years by the ISSA Council. ISSA's Council is made up of organizations
that are authorized to operate Step by Step Programs. ISSA coordinates
its activities out of offices located in the Netherlands, Hungary,
and the United States.
ISSA promotes systemic education reform by:
- Supporting new and existing Step by Step programs operating
in center-based (pre-schools, primary schools, community centers)
and non-center-based settings in participating counties
- Introducing new course content and interactive teaching methods
in institutions that train teachers
- Establishing national associations for parents, teachers, and
faculty
- Co-operating with education ministries and other government
agencies regarding educational policies and curriculum development
1509 16th Street, NW
Washington DC 20036
Contact: Mark R. Ginsberg, Ph.D. , Executive Director
Phone: (202) 232-8777
Fax: (202) 328-1846
Web Site: http://www.naeyc.org
E-mail: naeyc@naeyc.org
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
is the United States' largest organization of early childhood teachers
and others working with children from birth through age eight. Founded
in 1926, NAEYC has over 100,000 members and a national network of
nearly 450 local, state, and regional Affiliates. NAEYC and its
Affiliates work to improve professional practice and working conditions
in early childhood education and to build public support for high-quality
early childhood programs.
NAEYC also accredits child care, preschool and other early education
programs through the NAEYC Academy for Early Childhood Program Accreditation.
More than 8,000 programs - serving nearly three-quarters of a million
young children - are accredited by NAEYC. In addition, NAEYC publishes
the journal, Young Children and more than 100 other publications
including books, brochures, manuals, posters and video tapes; holds
conferences and other professional development programs including
the NAEYC annual conference with more than 25,000 attendees; and
is active in public policy advocacy at national, state and local
levels.
25, Jalan Limau Besar, Bangsar
Kuala Lumpur, 59100, Malaysia 59100
Contact: Radziah Daud , President
Phone: (603) 2095-2046
Fax: (603) 2095-1795
E-mail: naeccem@hotmail.com
NAECCEM was initiated since 1999. Prior to this, already in existence
is The Kindergarten Association (Children ages 4-6) since 1968 and
The Child Care Providers Association (children ages 0-4) since 1986.
Its an umbrella body that aims to act in the interest of children
from birth to eight years old.
A non-profit, non government organisation NAECCEM aims to promote
the provision of high quality services for all young children and
their families through competent, trained child care professionals.
To emphasise the importance of quality care and social justice -
the rights of the child.
This is a member driven association and aims to fulfill its mission
through advocacy at the National and State level, to create suitable
product services, publications, dissemination of suitable quality
publications and resource materials and organising quality programs
for the development of Malaysian Early Childhood professionals.
To affiliate with Early Childhood Organisations internationally
for exchange of "best practices" information.
Objectives
- To upgrade the quality and raise the standard of Early Care
and Education of young Children through desirable conditions.
- To provide opportunities for professional development and encourage
constant self-development of educators.
- To encourage active co-operation amongst all organisations in
the country working for the cause of young children.
- To advocate and influence the direction of policy makers and
agencies at the National level with regard to programs that affect
the development of young children.
- To promote opportunities of effective affiliation and collaboration
with other organisations internationally.
Unit 12c, Bluebell Business Park
Old Naas Road
Bluebell, Dublin 12, Ireland
Contact: Mary Lee-Stapleton , Director of Services
Phone: 00 353 1 4601138
Fax: 00 353 1 4601185
Web Site: http://www.ncna.net
E-mail: info@ncna.ie
The National Children's Nurseries Association (NCNA) is a National Voluntary
Childcare Organisation based in Dublin, Ireland.
It is a charity, registered with the Irish Revenue Authorities representing
a membership of over 600 childcare facilities country wide. In addition to funding
derived from membership fees, publications income and training revenue, the
NCNA is funded by the Irish Government and part funded by the European Union
Structural Funds under the National Development Plan 2000-2006.
Our Vision: That all children have access to quality child-centred childcare
Our Strategic Priorities:
- Supporting the delivery and development of quality childcare
- Developing the capacity of the NCNA to proactively meet the needs of our
members
- Building strategic partnerships at local, regional and national levels
- Representing full day-care providers at policy level
Our Mission:
To promote, represent and advocate excellence in full-day and school-age childcare
services to support our members in reaching the highest standards in early childhood
care and education to ensure that parents and children have quality child-centred
services to access
In order to achieve our vision and mission we focus on the following objectives:
Our High Level Objectives:
- To develop the capacity of NCNA to achieve our agreed vision of accessible
and affordable quality child-centred childcare for all children
- To develop an identity for the NCNA in today’s childcare environment
- To represent childcare providers at national, regional and local levels
and use our expertise to influence policy makers and to be "The"
professional representative body for full day-care and school-age care.
- To support the development and sustainability of childcare.
- To support our growing membership in terms of training and advice to ensure
we are meeting the needs of full day-care providers, their staff and parents.
- To continue to develop our range of products and services and act as a value
added resources to our members.
- To develop a network of strategic partners and to work collaboratively with
other agencies and organisations to show our commitment to quality childcare
Oak House, Woodvale Road
Brighouse, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom HD6 4AB
Phone: +44 (0) 870 774 4244
Fax: +44 (0) 870 774 4243
Web Site: http://www.ndna.org.uk
E-mail: info@ndna.org.uk
Our mission:
National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity which aims to enhance
the development and education of children in their early years, through the
provision of support services to members. We seek to develop, encourage and
maintain high standards in education and care for the benefit of the children,
their families and their local communities.
Our role:
We work to support day nursery providers to deliver quality early years education
and care and to represent the sector by:
- Encouraging all day nurseries to work towards a consistently high standard
of provision through our accreditation scheme, Quality Counts
- Giving day nursery providers support through our helpline, publications,
briefing papers, website and conferences to help them deliver quality early
years education and care
- Working with local and national government to develop an environment in
which quality early years education and care can flourish
- Helping parents find out about and choose quality early years education
and care
Our members:
- Day nursery providers from the private, voluntary and maintained sectors
- Other organisations developing and delivering group daycare, and working
in partnership with day nurseries, such as Sure Start Local Programmes, Children's Centres and extended schools
- People starting a day nursery
- Local Authorities and other organisations and individuals that work to support
the sector
PO Box 10334
Laucala Beach Estate
, Fiji
Contact: Unaisi Vasu Tuivaga
Phone: (679) 323-2488
Fax: (679) 323 1539
E-mail: tuivaga_u@usp.ac.fj
The Pacific Preschool Council was formed in 1980 at the first ever
gathering of Pacific ECE stakeholders that was held in Suva, Fiji.
The Workshop was funded by NCK Holland and organised by the Young
Women's Christian Association Pacific Office as a result of requests
from numerous preschool teachers in the region. The direct outcomes
of this workshop were:
- The formation of the Pacific Preschool Council
- The establishment of the Pacific Preschool Certificate Course
in 1982 with Continuing Education, University of the South Pacific,
after a Writers' Workshop in 1981.
The Council membership comprise of all National Preschool / Early Childhood Associations in the 12 Pacific Island Countries served by the University of the South Pacific. The main goal of the Council is to work closely with the University of the South Pacific and island governments to promote the development of quality early childhood services in the region through teacher training, community awareness, development of national ECE policies and Curriculum Guidelines as well as advocacy.
The Council has organised 4 conferences/workshops since its inception where national preschool association representatives as well as Ministries of Education officials have participated. The first was in 1985 [Fiji], the second in 1987 [Tonga], the third one in 1990 [Vanuatu] and the most recent one was in 1995 [Samoa]. UNICEF Pacific organized a Conference in June 2004 at USP for Pacific ECE Coordinators and Ministries of Education and Health representatives where the focus was on children 0-3 years of age. Resource people included Dr Cliff Meyers from the UNICEF Bangkok Office. It is planned to hold the next Conference in 2007. All these conferences/workshops have been made possible through generous funding from the UNICEF Pacific Office.
The idea of providing an advanced ECE course was mooted at the
1985 Conference/Workshop. However, this did not happen until 1992.
The result of the 1987 Conference was the translation of the Pacific
Preschool Course into the Vernacular [I-Kiribati and Tongan] to
make the course more accessible to village women. After the 1990
Conference the Diploma in ECE was offered by USP as well as the
establishment of the 5 year Non-Formal ECE Project with USP. The
Project, through the use of IEC materials, aimed at strengthening
the national associations in their ECE in-country activities. Relevant
posters, simple publications and a quarterly Newsletter were produced
by the Project. However, these activities and the Project were discontinued
after 5 years when funding from UNICEF ceased.
Currently the Council keeps in contact with its members through
letters and emails and when the Secretary visits island countries
to conduct Summer Schools or ECE workshops.
At the Pacific Ministers for Education [including Australia and New Zealand] meeting held at the Forum Secretariat in Suva in 2002, the Pacific Preschool Council was invited to mount a display for the two days. The Council was able to distribute some World Forum brochures and postcards to the Ministers and their groups that attended this important meeting. The Council Secretary also made a presentation as member of a two-member consultant group, on the impact of early childhood education as well as its current status in the Pacific.
The Council is encouraging member national associations to work in close collaboration with their respective governments in reviewing and developing national ECE policies and Curriculum Guidelines to further improve the quality of early childhood services being offered to young children and their families in these small Pacific Island Countries.
Westport, Connecticut
Web Site: http://www.savethechildren.org
Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Save the Children works to provide the world's vulnerable young children and their families:
- Access to early childhood development programs, using low-cost, locally available materials and resources;
- Quality, child-friendly approaches to learning and development that ensure young children's healthy and happy development and smooth transition into primary school;
- Support from parents, caregivers, and local communities to sustain Early Childhood Development programs and advocate for policies that promote access to quality ECD programs and services for all young children and their families.
We work hand in hand with families, caregivers, and communities -- even under adverse conditions -- to ensure that young children are happy, healthy, and ready to take their next steps in primary school and beyond. For more information, visit www.savethechildren.org.
Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 28 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 120 countries.
7 Place de Fontenoy, 75352
Paris, France 07 SP
Contact: Yoshie Kaga , Assistant Programme Specialist
Phone: 33-1-45680886
Fax: 33-1-45685628
Web Site: http://www.unesco.org/education/earlychildhood
E-mail: y.kaga@unesco.org
UNESCO promotes a holistic approach to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) with the aim of implementing the vision of the Jomtien Declaration on Education for All (1990), namely that learning begins at birth. Assisting Member States to achieve the Dakar Goal 1 on ECCE to expand access, improve quality and ensure equity is the ultimate goal of UNESCO’s early childhood programs which consist of three main areas of activities: national policy reviews; capacity building through the active training of government officials on early childhood policy development and implementation; and knowledge building through the regular publication and dissemination of the bi-monthly series of Policy Brief on Early Childhood.
- The aim of the national policy reviews is to assist Member States to identify concrete measures to develop or improve each country’s early childhood policies. In 2004-5, UNESCO implemented the Policy Review Project, jointly with the OECD, and reviewed the early childhood policies in Brazil, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Kenya. In the upcoming years, this policy review activity will continue and be expanded to more countries.
- UNESCO also undertakes capacity building exercises for government officials to strengthen their technical capacity to develop, improve and implement national early childhood policies. These capacity building seminars are conducted to increase their understanding of early childhood within the context of Education For All (EFA) and share different policy options and strategies for promoting equitable access to quality early childhood services.
- UNESCO also supports the policy development in this field through the bi-monthly publication of UNESCO Early Childhood Policy Briefs, which is a series of flash notes that seek to answer various questions on the planning and implementation of early childhood policy issues. The Policy Briefs are available online at: http://www.unesco.org/education/earlychildhood/brief
