Early Years
Early years, to give every child the best start in life through quality health care, nutrition, nurturing care and early learning opportunities.
UNICEF will support the Government of Turkmenistan to achieve the overall result that by 2030, every young child, especially the most vulnerable, has the opportunity to survive, thrive and reach their full developmental potential through equitable access to quality health, nutrition, early childhood development, early learning and family support services.
Background:
The early years of life provide the foundation for children's lifelong health, learning, wellbeing and productivity. Investments in early childhood generate the highest returns for individuals, families and society, helping children develop the skills and capacities they need to thrive and contribute to their communities. While Turkmenistan has achieved significant progress in maternal and child health, universal immunization and access to essential services, additional investments are needed to ensure that all children benefit from quality, equitable and integrated services from the very beginning of life.
The first years of life are critical for brain development. Children benefit most when they receive nurturing care, including good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, opportunities for early learning and protection from violence and neglect. Families and caregivers play a central role in providing this support, yet many require additional knowledge, services and resources to create an enabling environment for children's development.
Although early childhood education and care services continue to expand, further efforts are needed to improve quality, strengthen the early childhood workforce and ensure that all young children, including children with developmental delays and disabilities, have access to quality services. Stronger coordination across health, education and social protection sectors is also needed to ensure comprehensive support for children and families.
UNICEF's work with partners will focus on two main areas of intervention:
UNICEF will provide policy advice and technical support to strengthen integrated early childhood development systems that promote children's health, nutrition, learning and wellbeing from pregnancy through the early years.
- Strengthening maternal, newborn and child health services.
- Supporting evidence-based nutrition interventions for mothers and young children.
- Promoting nurturing care and responsive caregiving practices.
- Strengthening systems for developmental screening and early identification of developmental delays.
- Supporting implementation and monitoring of integrated early childhood development policies and strategies.
- Strengthening cross-sectoral coordination across health, education and social protection sectors.
- Improving data collection and evidence generation on young children's development and wellbeing.
UNICEF will support the expansion of quality early learning opportunities and family support services that enable all children to reach their developmental potential.
- Strengthening pre-service and in-service training for early childhood professionals.
- Supporting quality standards and monitoring systems for early childhood education and care services.
- Expanding access to quality pre-primary education and school readiness programmes.
- Promoting positive parenting and family support initiatives.
- Supporting inclusion of children with developmental delays and disabilities within early learning settings.
- Strengthening community-based services that support families with young children.
- Promoting innovation and evidence-based approaches to improve early childhood outcomes.