National Early Childhood Development Program
Rwanda envisions to scale up quality and integrated ECD services to village level. To reach this target, all stakeholders need to have common understanding on what, how, when and where ECD services are implemented. Therefore, these guidelines highlight key ECD models for all service providers implementing ECD program in Rwanda.
In Rwandan context, the following are types of ECD Models we are promoting to scale up ECD services up to the village level:
1. Family based ECD services
2. Home Visitation ECD services
3. Home Based ECD Model
4. Community Based ECD Model
5. Center Based ECD Model
6. Model ECD Center/ Center of Excellence
7. Health Facilities based ECD services
8. Workplace ECD Services
Rwanda has endorsed many legal instruments, 13 ministerial orders, Sector policy and strategic plans to consider that all types of disabilities, including physical, intellectual, visual and hearing impairments are considered in every area of life. In terms of international legal and policy frameworks, UNCRPD was ratified and Eastern African Disability policy endorsed. Domestication of these and political intent framed with: Rwandan constitution, law on disability, Ministerial orders, EDPRS I, II, policy frameworks and Ministry sector strategic plans. Download Guidelines (PDF)
PRINCIPLES
These minimum standards are guided by the following principles of the national ECD policy in Rwanda:
- Holistic/ All-Inclusive service provision: all the development needs of a child from early learning, physical, psycho-social, emotional and cognitive development, are interconnected in a child’s life and need to be developed simultaneously since progress in one area affects progress in others;
- Non-discrimination: Early Childhood Development services should be accessible to all, irrespective of gender, geographical location, religion or disability;
- Parents at the center of care giving: both parents (legal and or biological) where applicable should be primarily responsible for child care and protection as stipulated in Title II, Chapter I, Article 272 of the constitution of the Republic of Rwanda as amended to-date obliges parents to be the primary caregivers;
- Gender equality: for the case of single family units comprising of male and female parents, early child care should be a shared responsibility between a man and woman when, defined by equality and complementarily.