Early Childhood Development - Syria
AKDN is playing a leading role in working with Syrian Ministries of Education, Health, Social Affairs and UNICEF to establish a framework for early childhood development, including curriculum development and teacher training.
AKDN / Naoura Al-Azmeh
AKDN is playing a leading role in working with Syrian Ministries of Education, Health, Social Affairs and …
AKDN / Naoura Al-Azmeh
SYRIA | Early Childhood Development
Numerous studies have shown that a child’s formative years, from birth to eight years, are critical for cognitive, physical, social, emotional and language development. Investing in the first years of life is key to developing children who are confident and creative learners, active problem-solvers and socially responsible members of society. In 2003, the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) started an ECD programme based upon these principles.
4,700
In 2025, AKF's ECD programme reached around 4,700 children in Syria
AKF builds upon local strengths and identifies critical gaps related to the care, development and education of young children. Our long-term goal is to enhance and promote the well-being and opportunities of children and their caregivers.
AKF is strengthening the capacity of frontline health, education and social protection workers for holistic and play-based learning in ECD centres, in addition to the capacity of government at local and national levels for holistic ECD. This includes regular training, coaching, exposure visits, best practice sharing and assessments.
AKF also promotes an understanding of the importance of ECD amongst parents, caregivers and other community members to create demand for quality ECD services and pathways for meaningful community engagement and parent support programmes.
In 2025, AKDN worked with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF to develop the "Integrated Care for Child Health and Development" project. This encompassed 90 health centres across six governorates and provided care to around 108,000 children and 150,000 mothers.