Every day, childcare workers, preschool teachers, community health workers, home visitors, social workers – the early childhood workforce – are making a difference for young children’s well-being. As early childhood programs aim to reach more children and improve the quality of their services, the spotlight on the workers has grown, and so, too, have questions about how best to support them. What are the experiences and challenges facing these personnel? How can governments and their partners ensure that workers are well prepared and supported in their roles? What approaches have been taken in different parts of the world and how have they fared?
On November 6, the following speakers engaged in a dynamic discussion around these and other related questions:
- Dr. Teresita G. Inciong, Executive Director of the Early Childhood Care and Development Council in the Philippines
- Ms. Tressa Johnson, Director of Education at ELMA Philanthropies Services
- Mr. Kennedy Oruenjo, Director of Public Health and Sanitation for Siaya County in Kenya
- Mrs. Nayana Senaratne, Director of the Children’s Secretariat in Sri Lanka
- Mr. Yohanese Wodajo, Director of the School Improvement Directorate for the Ministry of Education in Ethiopia