Investing in young children

Investing in Young Children
An Early Childhood Development Guide for
Policy Dialogue and Project Preparation
Sophie Naudeau
Naoko Kataoka
Alexandria Valerio
Michelle J. Neuman
Leslie Kennedy Elder
DIREC T I O N S I N D EVELOPMENT
Human Development

Investing in Young Children

Investing in Young Children
An Early Childhood Development Guide for
Policy Dialogue and Project Preparation
Sophie Naudeau
Naoko Kataoka
Alexandria Valerio
Michelle J. Neuman
Leslie Kennedy Elder

© 2011 The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank
This volume is a product of the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development / The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in
This volume do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World
Bank or the governments they represent.
The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The
Boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work
Do not imply any judgement on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of
Any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries.
Rights and Permissions
The material in this publication is copyrighted. Copying and/or transmitting portions or all
Of this work without permission may be a violation of applicable law. The International Bank
For Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank encourages dissemination of its
Work and will normally grant permission to reproduce portions of the work promptly.
For permission to photocopy or reprint any part of this work, please send a request with complete
Information to the Copyright Clearance Center Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA
01923,

USA; telephone: 978-750-8400; fax: 978-750-4470; Internet: www. copyright. com.
All other queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to
The Office of the Publisher, The World Bank, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433,
USA; fax: 202-522-2422; e-mail: pubrights@worldbank. org.
ISBN: 978-0-8213-8526-5
EISBN: 978-0-8213-8528-9
DOI: 10.1596/978-0-8213-8526-5
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Investing in young children : an early childhood development guide for policy dialogue and
Project preparation / Sophie Naudeau… [et al.].
P. cm. – (Directions in development)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8213-8526-5 (alk. paper) – ISBN 978-0-8213-8528-9
1. Child development – Developing countries. 2. Early childhood education – Developing
Countries. 3. Child welfare – Developing countries. I. Naudeau, Sophie. II. World Bank.
HQ792.2I58 2011
305.23109172’4 – dc22
2010036025
Cover photograph: Edwin Huffman/The World Bank
Cover design: Naylor Design

V
Foreword xiii
Acknowledgments xv
Abbreviations xvii
Overview 1
Objective 1
Methodology for Selecting the Evidence 1
Summary of Contents 2
Note 4
Reference 4
Introduction 5
Definition 5
Background and Rationale 5
Conceptual Framework 6
Notes 10
References 10
Contents

Section 1 Initiating the Policy Dialogue on
Investing in ECD 13
Note 1.1 Why Invest in ECD? The Economic Argument
(for Policy Dialogue with Ministers of Finance,
Planning, and Social Affairs) 15