Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10410)
Republic Act No. 10410 shall be known as the Early Years Act (EYA) of 2013.
The Early Years Act recognizes the age from zero (0) to eight (8) years as the first crucial stage of educational development.
The Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council is responsible for children from zero (0) to four (4) years.
DepED is responsible for developing children aged five (5) to eight (8) years and recognizes the National ECCD Program as the foundation of the learning continuum for children zero (0) to four (4) years.
Objectives include improving infant and child survival rates, enhancing physical, socio-emotional, cognitive, language, psychological, and spiritual development, facilitating smooth transition to formal education, early identification and intervention for special needs, upgrading service provider capabilities, supporting parents, promoting inclusive education for children with disabilities, and ensuring quality standards of ECCD programs.
ECCD System refers to a full range of health, nutrition, early education, and social services programs that meet the holistic needs of young children from zero (0) to four (4) years to promote optimum growth and development, including both center-based and home-based programs.
The components include ECCD Curriculum, Parent Education and Involvement, Advocacy and Mobilization of Communities, Human Resource Development Program, and ECCD Management.
The ECCD Governing Board includes the Secretary of DepED (Chairperson), Executive Director of the ECCD Council (Vice Chairperson), Secretary of DSWD, Secretary of DOH, Executive Director of the National Nutrition Council (NNC), President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), and one private individual expert appointed by the President.
ECCD programs are financed through a combination of public and private funds, including appropriations from DepED, DSWD, DOH, NNC, local government funds, contributions from PAGCOR, and fees or contributions monitored for affordability by the ECCD Council.
The ECCD Council is mandated to promulgate policies, establish standards, coordinate programs, monitor service delivery, develop registration and accreditation systems, promote private sector initiatives, provide funds to disadvantaged communities, and submit annual reports to Congress.