Programme

Early childhood development

The first years of life are critical for the physical, emotional and intellectual development of a child

Mother breastfeeding a baby with their family supporting them — UNICEF/2017/Szabo

Challenge

Helping children reach their full potential

Early childhood development (ECD) programmes are important during the earliest years.

During this time the brain develops faster than at any other time in life and that is why interventions are highly effective and bring high return on investment.

ECD programmes are also a powerful equaliser of opportunities for vulnerable children.

Perinatal mortality of 7.8 per 1000 births in Serbia is still much higher compared to the average rate of 4.9 in the 25 EU countries
19% of children from the general population are not fully immunized on time, while the same is true for 56% of children from Roma settlements
Only 13% of children are exclusively breastfed in the first 6 months
Only 37% of fathers regularly engage in learning activities with their 3 to 5-year-old children

Boy with disability playing with his doctor and a wooden horse

UNICEF strengthens the ability of healthcare and other sectors to provide quality early childhood development services, particularly to vulnerable children and their families – those living in poverty, Roma children and children with disabilities.

Health

We advocate for strong infant and young child feeding policies and the scale-up of proven interventions from pregnancy through the first two years of life – from maternal nutrition, early and exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months, to the improvement in the nutritional status of the most vulnerable children.

Nutrition

Roma mother and father reading a book to their son and daughter

We support services that help parents and other caregivers provide children with affection, attention and stimulation, in addition to good nutrition, proper health care and protection.

Parenting

Boy and a girl playing fishing in the kindergarten

Our work is focused on providing equitable access to quality inclusive pre-school education, which provides meaningful learning opportunities to all children within the regular education system.

Early childhood education

Results

200,000 children and their parents have access to improved early childhood development services in 25 primary healthcare centres
1,500 premature and sick babies received improved care in neonatology units in Kragujevac, Nis, Novi Sad and Belgrade
More than 1,500 children with developmental risks or difficulties received support from developmental counselling units benefiting their developmental outcomes
1,000 Roma families informed about positive parenting practices to improve young child hygiene, nutrition, health and development