Quality Matters: Observations from Early Childhood Programs in Low Resource Environments in Asia

Abstract

This paper considers issues related to attaining and maintaining quality in early childhood programmes in low-resource environments in Asia. As in other parts of the world, high quality programmes in these contexts (i) offer support to parents in children’s earliest years; (ii) integrate educational activities, nutrition, health care and social services; (iii) provide relevant educational experiences; and (iv) ease the transition to primary school. Critical dimensions of quality are discussed, such as culture and context, measurement, the quantity-quality nexus, and governmental roles and responsibilities in regulating quality. The presentation will conclude with a set of recommendations on how to address persisting challenges in ECCE quality.