Preschool Health and Nutrition: Guidance for Program Managers

The early years of life constitute a critical period during which foundational skills become established. Children learn and develop in predictable sequences, with later abilities, skills, and knowledge building on those already acquired. Offering quality care and development allows young children to develop initial linguistic, cognitive, social-emotional and motor skills. Furthermore. investments in the early years of life produce higher returns, particularly among children at risk, because these programs are more effective and less expensive than remediation programs later in life.

The purpose of this guidance is to help program managers supporting preschools around the world to identify the most appropriate preschool health and nutrition interventions within their context. The guidance is primarily a reference from which program managers can draw from when designing their program.