Early Childhood Development

ChildFund's ECD approach focuses on helping local organizations and governments support families to create the conditions that their youngest children need for healthy development during their earliest years.

Smiling ECD student and ChildFund staff member play with blocks outside

So much depends on the first years of life.

Nutrition and health care, learning opportunities, safe and loving environments, opportunities for enrichment — these are all things that give the youngest children a healthy start in life and spark their development as they grow. Early childhood development (ECD) programs can have a profound impact for children who are not getting what they need to live at their potential.

39%

of children worldwide attend early childhood education - but only 18% in the least developed countries.

250 Million

children under age 5 are at risk of not reaching their developmental potential.

Helen, grandmother, plays outside with happy grandchildren

The grandchildren used to be scared of me because I used to be harsh on them. Now, we’re much closer. These new [teachings] have brought happiness to us.

— Helen, grandparent in ChildFund’s responsive parenting programs, Uganda