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Policy planning for early childhood care and education: 2000–2014

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This article is based on a background paper commissioned for the EFA Global Monitoring Report 2015, Education for All 2000–2015: Achievements and Challenges. It presents an analysis of the global evolution of policy planning for early childhood care and education (ECCE) from before 2000 to 2014, data regarding the national and regional distribution of ECCE policies, strategic plans and laws, and major drivers and challenges encountered in ECCE policy planning. As of July 2014, at least 68 countries had adopted one or more ECCE policy instruments. An additional 10 countries were reliably reported to have adopted policy instruments, and 23 countries were preparing them. This article presents a brief overview of country case studies on ECCE policy development and implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Colombia, Myanmar, and Rwanda. Finally, it offers salient conclusions and recommendations.

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Correspondence to Emily Vargas-Barón.

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I am grateful to the following national specialists who responded to a survey questionnaire that I sent them: Selena Bajractarevic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Vital Didonet (Brazil), Carolina Cuevas (Colombia), Janvier Gasana and Venerande Kabarere (Rwanda), and Thein Lwin and Aye Aye Yee (Myanmar). In addition, Javier Saenz Core, consultant (Argentina), was very helpful. These leaders are some of the unsung heroes of successful national ECCE movements. May their dedication inspire others to follow their lead!

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Vargas-Barón, E. Policy planning for early childhood care and education: 2000–2014. Prospects 46, 15–38 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-016-9377-2

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