Events in the formative years of life play a vital role in shaping a child’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical growth and development. Research estimates that enabling children to develop their physical, cognitive, language and socio-emotional potentials particularly in the first three years of life, has rates of return of 7-10 per cent across the life course through better education, health, sociability, economic outcomes and reduced crime. Despite of the acknowledged benefits of ECD, in Uganda over 80% of ECD centres are estimated to be privately owned and located in urban settings (FENGOU, 2014), pre-primary (3–5 years) enrolment rates are low – especially among vulnerable children living in rural, isolated communities and poor urban.
Therefore, ensuring that children in resource constrained settings have access to quality ECD services notably education, stimulation and quality care is critical and forms the core commitment of Women Health Channel Uganda. Regardless of where they are and the varied circumstances of their lives, we are tirelessly working to put children on an equal footing prior to starting primary school.