Libraries Are Transforming into Hubs for Early Childhood Development
Transforming Libraries into Early Learning Centers: A New Era for Childhood Development in Kyrgyzstan
Three-year-old Altynai giggles and runs around as she arrives with her parents at a place that was once just a library. Today, it’s much more.
Altynai is one of 26 children attending a new child development center in her village of Stavropolovka, Chuy Region. Housed in the local library, the center opened in late 2024 to help young children like Altynai build essential skills before starting school.
Early childhood education is critical, yet in 2018, only 24% of children aged 3–5 have access to preschool programs. To close this gap, the Ministry of Education and Science, together with the Ministry of Culture, launched an initiative transform libraries into child development centers.
With support from UNICEF, librarians and early childhood educators have been trained to create engaging learning environments for young children. Parents also play a key role—Altynai’s mother, Jyldyz, says the center has given her family new ways to encourage learning at home.
"Before, we didn’t know how to teach her at this age," Jyldyz shares. "Now, we read together, play counting games, and even practice drawing. She’s learning so much."
These centers are more than just places for education—they foster social skills, creativity, and confidence. Asylbek, Altynai’s father, believes the program is preparing his daughter for school: "She’s learning colors, numbers, letters, and how to communicate with other children. This is the foundation she needs for a bright future."
A 2023 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey showed significant progress in expanding early childhood education, with access rising to 39%. Today, 300 child development centers operate across Kyrgyzstan, all within public libraries. These centers serve over 7,000 children aged 1 to 6, providing play-based learning, emotional development, and parental support.
Education Minister Dogdurgul Kendirbaeva emphasizes that expanding early childhood education is a key pillar of the Altyn Kazyk education reform. By integrating libraries into the early learning system, Kyrgyzstan is ensuring that more children have the tools they need to succeed—starting from the very first years of life.
