{"id":341,"date":"2011-09-29T16:28:22","date_gmt":"2011-09-29T16:28:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/akdn\/?page_id=341"},"modified":"2022-07-15T13:17:58","modified_gmt":"2022-07-15T13:17:58","slug":"ec-3-2-strengthening-the-ecd-workforce","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/akdn\/ec-3-2-strengthening-the-ecd-workforce\/","title":{"rendered":"EC 3.2 Strengthening the ECD workforce"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

… one thing is clear: the quality of early childhood services, and ultimately the outcomes for children and families, depend on a well-supported and empowered early childhood workforce.\u2026 Data from nearly 80 low- and middle-income countries indicated that, in nearly one-quarter of countries, fewer than half of all pre-primary teachers were trained to national standards” (Ionescu et al., 2016, pp. 46-47).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n

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AKDN\/Amit Pasricha<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As we progress through the 21st<\/sup> century, it is very encouraging to see the creation and expansion of many kinds of early childhood programs. However, as programs scale, the focus of investment is often on building facilities and opening new programs while the development of a strong and effective workforce may not get enough attention. The quality of the workforce is the most critical element in determining the quality of programs. In order to have real improvement, policymakers must allocate resources accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As outlined in this Apolitical<\/em> analysis, strengthening the early childhood workforce is a major challenge for nearly every country.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n READ<\/span>Four steps to fix early childhood’s workforce crisis<\/span><\/span> \n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

On the ground support and mentoring can facilitate the successful employment of local community members, including parents, who may not have educational qualifications. Training initiatives can be directed to local consultants, managers, and professionals who can incorporate knowledge and information about effective early childhood education programs taking into account local contexts. Flexible delivery of in-service training can use local and international expertise to evolve delivery approaches that accommodate the daily work and family demands of professionals and managers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skilled educators are often in short supply. In the following video, Caroline Arnold, former director of education for the Aga Khan Foundation, describes the value of practical hands-on training for educators who are working in home-based and centre-based early childhood programs. Known as mentoring, skilled, and experienced educators can are able to demonstrate effective strategies that support early learning. Novice educators are able to learn-by-doing.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n VIEW<\/span>\n Arnold – mentoring teachers (2:41)<\/span>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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