The Preschool Entitlement: A Locally Adaptable Policy Instrument to Expand and Improve Preschool Education

Abstract

Only three out of five children are enrolled in preschool globally, and only one out of five in low-income countries, yet the expansion of preschool education came to a near standstill in 2020. To restart it, we propose a policy instrument called the Preschool Entitlement. It entails the right of every child to 600 hours of quality government-funded preschool education per year (3 hours per day, 5 days per week, 40 weeks per year). Existing preschool institutions and other organizations with legal status (public, private, faith- or community-based) can offer the child development program after a process of rigorous accreditation to ensure quality, inclusion, and safety. In other respects, they will have the freedom to shape the program according to local circumstances and local preferences. This makes it possible to supplement the daily 3 hours with additional hours of childcare that can be financed by families, local government, employers, national associations, faith-based organizations, ministries of social affairs, or others. In this manner, the Preschool Entitlement reconciles local autonomy with governmental responsibility for quality, access, and equity. In low- and middle-income countries, government costs would range from about 0.15 to 0.4 percent of GDP, and the benefits are likely to be significant.