Early childhood care and education (ECCE) are crucial for the development of individuals, the reduction of inequalities, the prevention of developmental disorders, and subsequent academic performance. ECCE is vital to achieving the objective of the international programme Education for All (EFA), and UNESCO is committed to raising awareness of its importance.

As stated in the Moscow Framework for Action, ECCE must encompass all actions that contribute to the survival, growth, development and learning of children. This includes health, nutrition and hygiene, as well as cognitive, social, emotional and physical development from birth to starting primary school.

The UNESCO’s Regional Office in Santiago (ROLAC, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean) helps countries develop comprehensive policies for increasing access to and improving the quality of ECCE, especially for children in vulnerable situations. Towards this goal, the UNESCO Office carries out studies on policies and programmes, identifies and disseminates innovative experiences, establishes indices for monitoring ECCE in the region and develops educational projects for early childhood and family education.

• Existing UNESCO Projects on Early Childhood in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2012-2013 Two-Year Period