The Early Childhood Workforce Initiative, co-hosted by the International Step by Step Association and Results for Development (R4D), launched the second study in a series, which examines the experiences and challenges faced by members of the early childhood workforce. This series was designed to help policymakers and others strengthen and support the early childhood workforce. This report, in particular, is focused on preschool teachers in Ukraine, and authored by researchers at R4D, the Ukrainian Step by Step Foundation, and the Institute for Education Development.
Supporting the Early childhood Workforce at Scale: Preschool Education in Ukraine is released at a critical moment for early childhood services in Ukraine. Recently, policy reforms have focused on improving the quality of preschool education and encouraging inclusion in services. Still, additional focus must be placed on supporting preschool teachers in order to provide quality and inclusive preschool programs at scale. Recommendations for action from this study are primarily intended to support officials in Ukraine to strengthen and support preschool personnel through policies and programs.
In addition to providing actionable recommendations, this country study contributes to a broad knowledge base around early childhood workforce issues. Researchers illustrate the experiences of preschool teachers and identify the size and scope of the challenges they run into – offering insights into the training, recruitment and remuneration of preschool teachers in Ukraine.
“We are learning that countries are increasingly interested in learning from others about challenges the workforce faces and how to address them. We are excited that this report adds to that base of knowledge that countries can turn to,” says Vidya Putcha, senior program officer at Results for Development and co-author of the study.
Supporting the Early childhood Workforce at Scale: Preschool Education in Ukraine is part of a body of work being produced by the Early Childhood Workforce Initiative.
Find more research contributing to the understanding of the early childhood workforce across the globe here.
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About the Early Childhood Workforce Initiative
The Early Childhood Workforce Initiative focuses on the country system and policy level to support and empower those who work with families and children under age 8 (e.g. home visitors, preschool staff, community health workers), as well as those who supervise and mentor practitioners (e.g. supervisors, mentors and coaches, trainers). This initiative takes a holistic, multi-sectoral approach to bridge gaps in policy and practice and promote high quality, equitable services. This initiative is co-hosted by the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) and Results for Development.
About Results for Development
Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too. For more information, visit our website at: www.r4d.org.
