Plan International Cambodia’s Early Childhood Development (ECCD) programme covers birth to age 6. Our goal is for all children, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised, to enjoy their right to have access to quality ECCD programmes and services. Preschool is an important part of ECCD), children who attend preschool are more likely to succeed in primary school. And preschools providing access and early orientation on hygiene and sanitation practice are even more helpful. Given the high grade repetition level in primary school and late start, the benefits of preschools become even more apparent. Yet, 84% of children in Cambodia do not have access to early childhood education, despite its inclusion in Cambodia’s constitution.
Plan International Cambodia focuses on 7 main interventions.
Objectives 1 and 2: Access to ECCD programmes and services
Increase access to quality ECCD programmes and services especially by the marginalised and vulnerable children: aged 0-3 and their parents/caregivers; and for those aged 3-6, to ensure preparedness and readiness for entry to primary school.
Objective 3: Increase access to quality
ECCD programmes and services especially by the marginalised and vulnerable children: aged 0-3 and their parents/caregivers; and for those aged 3-6, to ensure preparedness and readiness for entry to primary school.
Plan International Cambodia is working with relevant Government Ministries to develop and improve their policies, frameworks, guidelines and allocation of budgets to support ECCD services both at national and sub-national levels.
Objective 4: Improving maternal and child health
Improve the access to quality of maternal and child health interventions and services through Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) and child survival strategy, aligned with the national government procedures, programmes, guidelines and strategies.
Objective 5 and 6: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Increase access to sustained and affordable potable drinking water services, especially by the marginalised and vulnerable children and communities, and support government and communities to achieve district-wide community-led-total-sanitation.
Objective 7: Household Economic Security
Strengthen household economic security of poor and vulnerable households through sustainable integrated agriculture and farming practices, non-farmland based income generation and increased access to diversified financial services, especially to women.
ECCD Networking and Advocacy
Plan International Cambodia engages in networking and advocacy efforts which target all of the above objectives, focusing largely on improving the awareness of child rights and aiming to help children realise their full potential.
Strengthen the capacity of rights-holders, duty-bearers and civil society at all levels to advocate for developing standards and guidelines in line with the national Early Childhood Care and Development policy (ECCD) and investing in ECCD services.
Read about Plan International's global early childhood development work