This impact evaluation was designed by researchers from the World Bank and Center for Economic Research and Education (CIDE) to measure the impact of the Mexico's Early Childhood Education Program on the physical, cognitive and social development of children as well as changes in parents' and caregivers' habits and reading practices.
The Early Childhood Education Program (ECEP), also known as Educación Inicial, is being implemented by Educational Promotion National Council (CONAFE) in highly marginalized rural areas of Mexico. It consists of a non-formal education program that provides training to community workers and families for the upbringing of children from 0-4 years of age, as well as care during pregnancy.
This impact evaluation addresses the following research questions:
-What is the impact of the early education program on the physical, cognitive and social emotional development of children between 0-4 years of age?
-What it the impact of the early education program on knowledge and behavior of parents of children aged 0-4 years?
-What is the cost and cost-effectiveness of this community program, compared to other programs that are currently being evaluated in other places?
The study sample consisted of 64 treatment towns and 62 controls towns in Puebla, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Chiapas, Mexico and Queretaro states. Treatment communities received ECEP services, and control communities did not. Three waves of data collection - baseline, midline and endline - were conducted during 2012-2014.