TABUK CITY, Kalinga – To efficiently address the needs of preschoolers in the city, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) called on all the barangays of the city to prioritize the early childhood care and development (ECCD) program of their barangays.
During a capability-building seminar on the Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCDC) assessment tool, held on Thursday, July 11, Beverly Grail Alvester of CSWDO pointed out that barangays are primarily responsible in developing an ECCD program suited to their clients’ needs.
The Barangay Council for the Protection of Children headed by the Punong Barangay, she said, is tasked with planning, implementing activities, and addressing issues related to children with the CSWDO providing technical assistance.
ECCDC is a national government council in the Philippines tasked with implementing the National ECCD System. This system encompasses a comprehensive range of health, nutrition, early education, and social services designed to meet the holistic needs of children from birth to four years old and promote their optimal growth and development.
Alvester explained that the barangay ECCD centers must meet standards across seven areas outlined in the ECCDC assessment tool to be accredited.
These areas include Health, Nutrition and Safety; Physical Environment and Safety; Interaction and Relationship between staff and children, and among children and adults; Staff Qualifications, Staff Development and Continuing Education; Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; Family Involvement and Community Linkages; and Leadership, Program Management, and Support.
Among these areas, Alvester noted that Physical Environment and Safety, which covers essentials such as washing areas, restrooms, clean water, and backyard garden, is observed as the most common challenging aspect for barangays to meet.
Barangays also need to establish their own day care centers. And if they are currently using a private house as a day care center, they must enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the school and the house owner to qualify for accreditation.
She also stressed the importance of including early childhood care and development in their three-year plans and Annual Investment Plans to properly fund programs and projects related to ECCD.
During the seminar, Alvester reminded parents that birth certificates and health records are required for day care center enrollment, and those who have lost these documents should request replacements from the barangay health center. By Rod Asurin
