Date: 24 October, 2024
Time: 8:30 AM EST
Duration: 90 minutes
Language: English only
The global landscape of childcare services has undergone substantial shifts, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic underscored the indispensable role that childcare plays in supporting families, especially working parents, elevating childcare services to a prominent position on the global policy agenda. Despite this heightened recognition, significant gaps remain in understanding the most effective models of childcare provision. While public financing is widely accepted as essential for ensuring affordable and quality services, less attention has been directed toward the various provision models, their effectiveness in different contexts, and their adaptability to diverse communities.
The upcoming webinar seeks to explore these pressing issues, focusing on diverse childcare provision models such as cooperatives, social franchises, and state-funded frameworks, particularly in resource-limited settings. Through an in-depth discussion of key factors like quality, accessibility, and affordability, the event will aim to strengthen the evidence base on what works best for various stakeholders in the Global South. This dialogue will provide valuable insights into shaping more informed and effective childcare policies. We invite all those interested in the future of childcare provision to join this critical conversation.
Objectives
- Explore Different Childcare Models: Provide an overview of various childcare models and their contexts.
- Evaluate Effectiveness and Suitability: Discuss any current evidence on how well each childcare model meets diverse needs and contexts.
- Identify Best Practices: Share best practices and lessons from different childcare models..
- Address Policy and Implementation Challenges: Discuss challenges and strategies for implementing effective childcare systems.
- Enhance Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Sharing: Promote dialogue among stakeholders to improve childcare policies and practices.
Speakers
- Shekufeh Zonji, Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN) – Childcare Systems Map, a tool designed to uncover the critical leverage points within the childcare system.
- Susan Thomas, National Health & Education Coordinator – SEWA- Models of Childcare, exploring different models of childcare provision in India.
- Sneha Sharma, WIEGO – Childcare in Markets
- Dr. George Owino, Africa Early childhood Network (AfECN) – Balancing Market-Based Approaches and Public Good Models in Childcare: Efforts to Integrate Diverse Actors at Country and Regional Levels
Moderator
- Silke Staab, UN Women