Abstract:
This study aims to assess the contribution of Early Childhood Development (ECD) to the
children wellbeing in Gatsibo District. The study objectives was: to assess the accessibility and
Quality of Services provided by Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres in Gatsibo
District, to investigate the role of parental involvement in the effectiveness of ECD Centres in
Gatsibo District, to analyse the contribution of ECD Centres to the effective children
development upbringing Gatsibo District and to find out the challenges faced by ECD Centres in
providing adequate services in Gatsibo DistrictUtilizing a descriptive research design that
combines qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the study surveyed 100 participants,
including ECD coordinators and parents. Findings reveal that ECD centres in Gatsibo are
accessible and well-regarded for their cleanliness, educational programs, and safety measures,
contributing positively to children's developmental outcomes. Parental involvement is identified
as a critical factor in enhancing children's academic readiness and social skills, while
collaboration between parents and ECD staff strengthens home-school partnerships. However,
challenges such as limited funding, staff turnover, and inadequate access to nutritious meals were
also highlighted. Recommendations for the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion include
increasing funding, enhancing professional development opportunities for staff, promoting
community awareness, fostering collaboration with healthcare services, ensuring access to
nutritious meals, and developing a strategic plan for ECD center improvement.
