First Read: Supporting families with young children to learn together

In Cambodia, only 18 percent of pre-primary school aged children are enrolled and participate in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) services while children aged 3 to 5 years old represent 33%. Less than half of all children enrolled in primary school actually complete their primary education, and many leave school without being able to read.

Since pre-primary school opportunities are limited in Cambodia, a viable strategy is to support parents to provide better stimulation, care and learning to their young children. Home-based ECCD helps parents realize the importance of the child’s environment. It builds parents’ confidence and gives them the knowledge, skills and experience they need to help their children develop physically, mentally, socially and emotionally.

First Read, with technical guidance from Save the Children UK, is working in over 1,000 villages in Kampong Cham, Prey Veng and Kratie provinces to help poor and marginalised children learn and develop to their full potential. First Read works with Provincial and District Offices of Education, schools, Commune Committees for Women and Children, parents, and local NGOs to support the home-based ECCD services.