1. Emiliana Vegas, The World Bank
The Economic and Social Benefits of Investing in Early Childhood Development Inclusive Early Child Development – an Underestimated Component within Poverty Reduction 03 – 04 February, 2011, Bonn
Emiliana Vegas, The World Bank

2. Presentation Overview
Why invest in Early Childhood Development (ECD)?
What factors affect ECD and life outcomes?
Definitions: Early Childhood Development, ECD programs and ECD policies.
What programs affect ECD (and How)?
From Programs to Policies to Build (or Strengthen) ECD Systems: Introducing SABER
SABER’s framework for ECD
In this presentation, we will introduce a classification system which countries can use to take stock of their national ECD policies and programs.
We hope to provide countries with a process and tool to benchmark against other ECD programs and policies across regions, with the goal of helping countries to develop policy options to strengthen ECD policies and develop individual country roadmaps.
In this session, we will provide a brief overview of the process we propose and the framework itself and will then present the results of a preliminary application of the framework to Turkey. We will then present some information for international comparisons and will conclude with a series of policy recommendations for Turkey to improve ECD policy development, using the framework.
Robust involvement from counties will greatly increase the accuracy and relevance of the process and findings.

3. Inequality of opportunity starts before birth, and grows deeper during the first years of life
Opportunities in health are important especially at an early stage in life.
3 year-old children in Ecuador perform roughly at the same level with their reference population in the world, regardless of their circumstances, but fall significantly behind by age 5, unless their parents are wealthy or highly educated.
Source: Paxson and Schady, JHR, 2007

4. What happens in ECD has lasting outcomes, context and policy matter
Early
Childhood
Development
Cognitive development
Socio-emotional
development
Physical well-being
and growth
Context
Macro (country)
Micro (family)
Life Outcomes
Education
Health
Fertility
Income
Risky behaviors
ECD Policies
Health, hygiene,
and nutrition
Education
Poverty alleviation
Source: Vegas and Santibáñez 2010

5. ECD investments have lasting impacts on individuals and society
There is consistent evidence of the effects that early childhood development interventions have on future life outcomes:
Education
Labor insertion and wages
Health, fertility
Probability of engaging in risky behaviors
The impact of these interventions is greater in the most vulnerable populations
ECD investments are economically efficient and equity-enhancing

6. ECD interventions have higher returns than interventions later in life
Pre -
school Programs
School
Job Training
Return
per $
invested 2 4 6 18
Age
school
Post 8
Opportunity cost of funds
Learning begets learning
Dynamic complementarities
Source: Carneiro and Heckman (2003)

7. Presentation Overview
Why invest in Early Childhood Development (ECD)?
Definitions: Early Childhood Development, ECD programs and ECD policies.
What programs affect ECD (and How)?
From Programs to Policies to Build (or Strengthen) ECD Systems: Introducing SABER
SABER’s framework for ECD
In this presentation, we will introduce a classification system which countries can use to take stock of their national ECD policies and programs.
We hope to provide countries with a process and tool to benchmark against other ECD programs and policies across regions, with the goal of helping countries to develop policy options to strengthen ECD policies and develop individual country roadmaps.
In this session, we will provide a brief overview of the process we propose and the framework itself and will then present the results of a preliminary application of the framework to Turkey. We will then present some information for international comparisons and will conclude with a series of policy recommendations for Turkey to improve ECD policy development, using the framework.
Robust involvement from counties will greatly increase the accuracy and relevance of the process and findings.

8. Definitions
Early Childhood Development as the period from when a child is conceived to six years of age (0-6).
ECD programs include specific interventions that may vary according to primary objective, coverage (small scale, universal), and other program characteristics.
ECD policies refer to the regulatory framework and institutional arrangements for service delivery at the national and/or state level to ensure that a nation’s children have access to quality ECD services.
It is important to distinguish between ECD programs and ECD policies.
Programs include specific interventions, which may vary by objective or coverage.
ECD policies, in contrast, refer to the regulatory framework and institutional arrangement for service delivery.

9. Presentation Overview
Why invest in Early Childhood Development (ECD)?
Definitions: Early Childhood Development, ECD programs and ECD policies.
What programs affect ECD (and How)?
From Programs to Policies to Build (or Strengthen) ECD Systems: Introducing SABER
SABER’s framework for ECD
In this presentation, we will introduce a classification system which countries can use to take stock of their national ECD policies and programs.
We hope to provide countries with a process and tool to benchmark against other ECD programs and policies across regions, with the goal of helping countries to develop policy options to strengthen ECD policies and develop individual country roadmaps.
In this session, we will provide a brief overview of the process we propose and the framework itself and will then present the results of a preliminary application of the framework to Turkey. We will then present some information for international comparisons and will conclude with a series of policy recommendations for Turkey to improve ECD policy development, using the framework.
Robust involvement from counties will greatly increase the accuracy and relevance of the process and findings.

10. Healthcare and hygiene
Programs that affect ECD
Child
Prenatal
0-2
3-4
5-6
Mother(prenatal)
Mother/Father/
Caregiver
Healthcare and hygiene
Maternal/prenatal health
Water and sanitation
Healthcare prevention
Mental Health
Education
Preschool (3-6)
Care (0-3)
Poverty alleviation
Income transfers
Maternity/paternity leave
Female labor participation
Home infrastructure
Nutrition
Food and supplements

11. Impact of ECD programs
Interventions with nutritional components have positive effects on:
growth and physical well-being
cognitive development
CCTs have positive impacts on:
healthcare prevention and control
cognitive and socioemotional development
Preschool attendance has positive effects on:
the probability of continuing in school
reduced participation in risky behaviors
But the impact is greatest when interventions are multi- sectoral and integrated

12. Presentation Overview
Why invest in Early Childhood Development (ECD)?
Definitions: Early Childhood Development, ECD programs and ECD policies.
What programs affect ECD (and How)?
From Programs to Policies to Build (or Strengthen) ECD Systems: Introducing SABER
SABER’s framework for ECD
In this presentation, we will introduce a classification system which countries can use to take stock of their national ECD policies and programs.
We hope to provide countries with a process and tool to benchmark against other ECD programs and policies across regions, with the goal of helping countries to develop policy options to strengthen ECD policies and develop individual country roadmaps.
In this session, we will provide a brief overview of the process we propose and the framework itself and will then present the results of a preliminary application of the framework to Turkey. We will then present some information for international comparisons and will conclude with a series of policy recommendations for Turkey to improve ECD policy development, using the framework.
Robust involvement from counties will greatly increase the accuracy and relevance of the process and findings.

13. From Programs to Policies to Build (or Strengthen) ECD Systems
SABER : System Assessment and Benchmarking for Education Results, intends to:
Develop knowledge & tools to systematically help countries:
make better policy and program choices based on better evidence and analysis
to get better educational results
Fills a major gap in the availability of policy data, information, & knowledge on what matters most to improve the quality & relevance of human development policies, especially in education
Split into separate bullet points

14. Governance & Institutions
Components of SABER
Governance & Institutions
System-wide Quality Assurance
Learning Standards
Learning Assessments
Information management
Financing
Non-government provision
Equity & Inclusion
Political Economy
Service Delivery
Sub-systems
Early Childhood Development
Primary & secondary schooling
Tertiary education
School health
Second-chance programs
Workforce Development
Learning
for all
Teachers
Materials & ICT
Infrastructure
Streamline bullets

15. SABER Development Cycle
An iterative process
Conceptualization
framework and system tools developed
Implementation
piloting , scaling-up, going global
Dissemination, knowledge exchange, online knowledge base
Communication
Engagement validation, prototyping, building ownership
staff competencies, partner capacities, SABER Development
Learning
Knowledge
Technical and financial support
Strategic partnerships

16. SABER’s Framework for ECD
Stocktake & classify programs
Stocktake & analyze policies
assess policy development
Identify Options
Country-specific options, based on international experience

17. 1. Stocktake & classify ECD programs
9 Key Characteristics:
Primary policy objective;
Brief description;
Focus area/intervention mechanism;
Coverage/access;
Institutional arrangements;
Financing;
Service providers;
Quality assurance mechanisms;
Challenges for going to scale and improving service delivery.
In this slide we present the 9 key characteristics that should be used to evaluate ECD programs and interventions. These characteristics were selected to provide comprehensive and comparable information for ECD interventions and programs.
We also present the four potential types of ECD programs.

18. 4 Categories Complexity of Institutional Arrangements
Comprehensive
4 Categories
Coordinated interventions across multiple sectors
Complexity of Institutional Arrangements
Multi-Sectoral
Cross-Sectoral
Sectoral
Focus Areas/Mechanisms
Single Sector
Specific Sector w/ inputs from other sector
Multiple sectors, specific programs for targeted or universal populations
Comprehensive regular monitoring, some universal services, with tailored interventions

19. 2. Stocktake and analyze ECD policies
Policy Goals:
Policy Levers
(indicators):
Levels of development:
Establishing an enabling environment
Implementing widely
Monitoring & assuring quality
Latent
Emerging
Established
Mature
Legal framework
Coordination
Financing
Coverage
Programs
Policy focus
ECD information
Quality standards & compliance
We will classify ECD policies in four different important dimensions: enabling environment, degree of implementation, monitoring and quality assurance and policy focus.
For each dimension, a country be classified in one of four levels: latent, emerging, established or mature.

20. ECD Policy Goals and Levels of Development
LATENT
non existent
low within sector
ad hoc
low
pilot
some and minimal
minimal measures
Limited or no
standards
Level of Development
MATURE
developed
high inter -
institutional
sustained for
attaining goals
universal in ECD
established in ECD
integrated
services
universally
provided
outcomes at
national, regional,
local & individual
level
Standards in all
sectors,
compliance is
regularly
monitored and
enforced
Policy Levers
EMERGING
minimal
high within sector
some programs with
sustained
expanding
established in few
sectors
some established
outcomes at national
level
Standards in some
ESTABLISHED
regulations in some
sectors
low inter -
institutional
many programs with
sustained
universal in some
established in several
well established
services
outcomes at national,
regional, local level
Standards in most
sectors, compliance is
monitored regularly
Legal Framework
Establishing an
Enabling
Coordination
Environment
Financing
Coverage
Implementing
Programs
Widely
Policy
Focus (health,
nutrition, education
& child protection)
ECD Information
Monitoring and
Assuring
Quality
Quality Standards &
Compliance

21. 3. Identify policy options based on comparisons across countries
Policy Goals
Policy Levers
Level of Development
Colombia
Panama
England
Sweden
Establishing an Enabling Environment
Legal framework
Established
Emerging
Mature
Coordination
Financing
Latent
Implementing Widely
Coverage
Programs
Policy Focus
Monitoring and Assuring Quality
ECD information
Quality standards and compliance

22. Next Steps
World Bank is finalizing data collection instruments for ECD programs and policies
Data collection to begin in Uzbekistan, Turkey, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa
Analysis and preparation of Reports for each Country/System
Development of user-friendly, web-based tool to disseminate information ECD Policies and Programs Around the World

23. Thank You!
Thank You!