How is Childhood Development Policy Created?

This chapter discusses how ECD policy is created; it is difficult because ECD is cross-sectoral and relates to health, education, nutrition, social protection, etc. Child development is holistic, so we must ensure that children live in environments that are supportive of all aspects of perceptual, physical, mental, linguistic, and social growth. It must be inclusive and cost-effective and there has to be coordination across different coalitions within the country. A political process must first have a level of commitment to even consider a policy, then the situation of ECD must be understood, leader must be appointed, consultations must be done with experts, a report is written with directions for a national policy, and then policy is drafted. This process can take years. This chapter looks at an example from a recent national comprehensive ECD policy in Colombia.

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