Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCCE) Programme began as a UNICEF funded project in 1989 at Non-Formal Education Centre (NFEC). At its conception the main focus was to train atoll-based ECCE teachers and material production. In 2000, the programme was transferred from NFEC to EC with more focus on Early Childhood Care and Develop (0-5 years)

Early Childhood Development Unit (ECDU) was established at EDC in January 2004, when all educational development programmes were streamlined and located within one umbrella.

Responsibilities of the ECDU are to;

• strengthen preschool education in Maldives,
• advocate and promote Early Childhood Development best practices and key messages to parents and care givers and general public
• develop appropriate reading/learning materials
• build the capacity of preschool teachers/managers
• promote community based early childhood development activities

Main activities carried out by the ECD Unit are:

1.      establish child friendly preschools by conducting preschool development workshops

2.      conduct parent education workshops

3.      produce and telecast/broadcast ECD related TV and radio programmes

4.      develop teaching/learning materials

5.      assist Public Health Officials in establishing ECD friendly health posts

6.      assist community based ECD committees in strengthening community based activities

7.      develop advocacy audio/video/print materials for parent and caregivers

Link 1: reports of media campaign, to increase awareness on early childhood development and care-giving

Link 2: report of KAP survey on Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Maldivian parents

Link 3: report of Media survey on existing children’s media

Link 4: report of 5 model IECD centres