Investing in Early Investing in Early Childhood Development: Childhood Development: The Potential Benefits and The Potential Benefits and

Costs SavingsCosts Savings

Karin A. L. Hyde, Consultant, WGECD

Parallel Session C-4

ADEA 2006 Biennial Meeting

Background and Context

Part of a continuing effort by WGECD to build the case for greater investment in ECD in Africa

Building a rationale for the expansion of ECD Objective was to review the evidence for the

benefits of ECD and how these could contribute to cost savings in education and other sectors

Research Methodology Literature review Used evaluations, impact assessments from many

countries The main conclusions were drawn from studies

that were either experimental or quasi-experimental

Other studies were used for illustrative purposes Limitations—location of studies; missing

information about the most appropriate service delivery model

Benefits of ECD—Who

Appropriately-designed ECD programming has positive effects on:– The children who participate (at the time of

their attendance and into adulthood)– The parents of participating children– The communities they live in– The economy– Their own children

Benefits of ECD—How

Education—attainment, performance, reduced repetition

Health—less likely to smoke, take drugs and more likely to be involved with friends and family

Social adjustment—less likely to have children out of marriage, more stable marriages

Economic productivity—higher incomes for parents, children and children of children

Benefits of ECD—Why

Positive impacts are sustained Significant contribution to school

effectiveness Indirect impact on economic productivity,

participation and poverty reduction, etc.

Cost Savings and Economic Payoffs

Savings– Reduced repetition– Reduced morbidity and mortality – Lower tendency to require welfare payments

Payoffs– Increased participation in labour market and

higher tax revenues– Greater impact on most deprived groups

Message for Ministers Investing in ECD will stimulate progress towards

the MDGs There are many options for the financing of

investment in ECD Stakeholders can be brought together to support

pre-primary, as has been done successfully with primary school in many countries.

Focus public spending on the most disadvantaged children

The major partners should be parents and communities