Since 2019, Addis Ababa has been in a period of rapid transformation to ensure all young children and families, particularly the most vulnerable, are able to thrive. Sparked by learning exchanges in Denmark and Brazil, senior city officials took inspiration on how early childhood development (ECD) investments (focused on the period from birth to age 8) can have multiplier effects in helping a city achieve multiple goals—from improving children’s development trajectory to reducing poverty, advancing women’s economic empowerment, addressing climate change, and more.
Over this seven-year journey, Addis Ababa has been working to reach 330,000 vulnerable households and 1.3 million children with multiple types of ECD support. Through the city’s investments, more than 5,000 new jobs have been created for women serving as parental coaches who conduct home visits to vulnerable households. In addition, over 18,000 teachers have been trained to lead pre-primary classrooms using play-based pedagogy, 3,734 day care workers have been trained to lead and integrate play-based approaches in day care centers, and the city has expanded green spaces where children and communities can play, connect, and build social cohesion.
Addis Ababa’s ECD investments span health, nutrition, and responsive caregiving during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life: quality play-based pre-primary education for children 4-6 years, child care services to enable mothers to enter the workforce, and safe, green spaces for all children and families to play and build community.
The purpose of the case study is to tell this story. It documents Addis Ababa’s journey of investing in ECD and shares learnings with policymakers and others on the challenges, key elements of success, and recommendations. It demonstrates how high-level political commitment can unlock transformative outcomes for children and families. Ultimately, this case study is intended to inform and inspire policymakers to invest in ECD initiatives in in their own cities, regions, or countries.
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