Why is Early Childhood Development vital for young refugee children?

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Children on the Edge has been investing in early years education for marginalised children in different areas of the world since 2000 [ii].

​The UN 2019 Global Education Monitoring report states that best practices for refugee children under the age of five should focus on families and caregivers, which is exactly what we do. 

​Communities are supported to offer their children quality early learning opportunities, through a child friendly and play focused curriculum in a safe and loving environment

"Providing a solid start in life for every child is increasingly urgent in a fractured world where many millions of children spend their formative early years in emergency settings”.
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​(Anthony Lake [i])

“The early moments of life offer an unparalleled opportunity to build the brains of the children who will build the future… For children from disadvantaged communities, the price of this failure is lost potential’. 
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(UNICEF - Early Moments Matter)

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So why is ECD so important?

• 90% of brain development happens in the first five years of a child’s life.
• Children who benefit from ECD perform better at every subsequent level of education.
• Children are twice as likely to be on track in early literacy and numeracy skills than children missing out on ECD.
• ECD investments have been proven to be not only effective, but cost-effective
• It is essential for children who have experienced trauma as the damaging effects of conflict and crisis are particularly acute in the first years of a child’s life.
• Refugee access to ECD care remains significantly limited. Responsive care at this age protects and buffers children from the negative effects of what they have been through. ​

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