About Us

Mandate
The Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development (CGECCD) is an inter-agency consortium with strong links to regional networks and a track record of advocacy and knowledge generation and dissemination at an international level.  Established in 1983 by a small group of donor funding agencies, it has evolved into a well-respected global network with committed partner agencies, institutions and professionals involved in the field of ECCD at all levels.  The focus on young children (pre-birth to 8yrs), their families and communities remains highly relevant in 2008 when taking into account the very large numbers of young children living in difficult and resource-poor contexts and the effects this has on their overall physical, social and cognitive development and well-being.

The Consultative Group on ECCD works actively to identify gaps, critical issues and emerging areas of need and interest related to ECCD for its work in awareness-raising, advocacy, and dissemination, and to seek out new partners.  We believe it is critical to promote a more diverse and creative range of ECCD activities that link different sectors, are more inclusive, and better address children’s needs and circumstances in the context of the family and/or community.

One key to the CG’s effectiveness has been the fact that Consortium members participate actively, and jointly take ownership of the knowledge that is generated through the “knowledge-networking” process.  This knowledge influences how the member agencies programme, and also reaches decision-makers working within the Developing World as well as in North America and Western Europe. One example of strategic opportunities for and recognition of the CG consortium can be seen in the development of the EFA Global Monitoring Report focus on the first Goal of EFA for which substantive inputs by the CG have and will continue to be made. 

Mission
The Consultative Group's mission is to improve early childhood policy and practice focusing on children in disadvantaged circumstances. We do this 

• by promoting a wider dialogue among practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, and national and international agencies;
• through the analysis, synthesis and dissemination of knowledge and through coordinated advocacy.

Key Objectives: 

1. Knowledge Generation and Dissemination
Contributing to the development of a diverse global knowledge base on ECCD  through the analysis, synthesis and dissemination of information which is accessible  and used by a wide range of actors and stakeholders

 2.  Communications and Advocacy 
Facilitating a broad-based global understanding of the critical importance of ECCD to  social development and poverty reduction and advocate for improved investments,  policies and actions to support the holistic development of young children.
   
 3. Strengthening Regional Capacity 
Strengthening national and regional capacities to generate and disseminate knowledge,   share information and advocate for the support of children’s overall development.

Key Advocacy Messages:

4 CORNERSTONES to Secure a Strong Foundation for Young Children:

CORNERSTONE 1: Start at the beginning
Integrate early stimulation, child development, and parenting information into prenatal,
early health, nutrition, and education services by:
• Providing access to parenting programs that address holistic child development,
 particularly for the most vulnerable families;
• Improving services for young children and families including early stimulation, health, nutrition and child care.

CORNERSTONE 2: Get ready for success
Ensure access to at least two years of quality early childhood programs prior to formal school entry, beginning with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

CORNERSTONE 3: Improve primary school quality
Increase investments and improve the transition from home or preschool to primary school and the quality of learning in Grades 1-3 by:
• Providing teachers with knowledge about early childhood during in-service and pre-service training,
• Giving children adequate learning materials, and
• Ensuring smaller sized classes.

CORNERSTONE 4: Include early childhood in policies
Address Early Childhood in all national policies and plans across sectors, including Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs), Common Country Assessment’s (CCA’s),  UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), Education for All Plans (EFA), and Fast Track Initiative Plans (FTI). Assure adequate resources and multi-sectoral coordination by ensuring that Early Childhood is integral to development and macroeconomic planning and budgeting.

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