Evaluation of the Early Childhood Development Programme (2016–2022)
Advancing equitable access to quality early learning and development opportunities for Sierra Leone’s youngest children.
Highlights
This brief presents findings from the evaluation of UNICEF Sierra Leone’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programme, implemented between 2016 and 2022. Integrated into broader education sector support and led in partnership with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Education, the programme focused on strengthening systems, improving curriculum and workforce capacity, and expanding equitable access to quality pre-primary education—particularly in rural and low-income communities.
The evaluation confirms strong community engagement, improved teacher capacity, increased awareness among parents and caregivers, and better preparedness of children for primary school. However, it also identifies challenges including limited infrastructure, financing constraints, gender inequality in leadership, monitoring gaps, and the need for stronger cross-sectoral integration with health, nutrition and WASH. Sustained investment in ECD remains critical to building human capital and long-term national resilience.
