Volume 18 (2025) Download Cover Page

Evaluative Analysis of Children in the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Program

Article Number: e2025413  |  Available Online: September 2025  |  DOI: 10.22521/edupij.2025.18.413

Oscar O. Ancheta Jr. , Sharlane Gay Elaine V. Fabrigas

Abstract

Background/purpose. This study addresses the critical need to assess and enhance the quality of early childhood education and care by evaluating learners' developmental performance and health status under the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Program in San Fernando City, La Union. Given the importance of early childhood as a foundation for lifelong learning and well-being, this research was conducted to identify developmental strengths and challenges across various domains and regions to inform a comprehensive ECCD Development Plan that promotes holistic child development.

Materials/methods. A mixed-methods research design was employed. The study gathered quantitative and qualitative data from ECCD learners across the Upland, Lowland, and Coastal regions. Assessment tools evaluated developmental domains—cognitive, language, self-help, motor, and social-emotional—and health and nutrition indicators. In-depth validation was conducted through interviews with teacher participants to substantiate quantitative findings.

Results. Findings reveal that the cognitive domain emerged as the strongest development area among learners. Regional variations were observed in health service coverage and illness prevalence: the Upland region showed 100% access to essential health services. In contrast, the Coastal and Lowland regions exhibited gaps in deworming and immunization. Teacher feedback further revealed issues related to minor illnesses, malnutrition, and parental neglect of children's nutritional needs.

Conclusion. The study concludes that while the ECCD program effectively supports cognitive development and health promotion, targeted interventions are needed to enhance self-help skills, expressive language, immunization, and nutritional care. These findings inform the formulation of a region-specific and child-centered ECCD Development Plan.

Keywords: Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), Holistic Child Development, Health and Nutrition Status, Developmental Domains, Regional Disparities

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