Contribution of Early Childhood development centres to the Children wellbeing in Rwanda.Case of Gatsibo District

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.