Despite the constraints of the pandemic, early childhood development stakeholders in Solomon Islands have worked together across sectors and communities to progress ECD priorities.
Over the course of 2021 and 2022:
• At least 172 community leaders and key stakeholders from 13 communities participated in community dialogues. Their engagement allowed to develop a shared understanding of core issues and challenges that young children and their families face, and to identify concrete actions to inform the 3-year strategic plan on early childhood development.
• The provincial technical working group on early childhood development committed to continuation of the ECD manager post funded by provincial resources, to continue and sustain coordinated efforts in Guadalcanal Province. In March 2022, the post was included in Guadalcanal Provincial Government’s human resources plan for 2022/2023.
• An induction course on early childhood development was developed and at least 20 key sectoral leaders from Guadalcanal Province identified to be trained and cascade the training into their respective sectors, reaching the broader early childhood development workforce.
• A total of 24 health workers from Guadalcanal Province were trained on community engagement and interpersonal communication, enabling them to effectively share key messages about integrated management of childhood illness with parents and caregivers. During post-training monitoring visits, they demonstrated improved knowledge and application of skills. Two health facilities had launched community engagement activities.
• Ward facilitators (15) and community facilitators (120) were trained on early childhood development. In addition, information, education, and communication materials on early childhood development such as posters, booklets, and flipcharts were developed and disseminated to implementing partner Guadalcanal Council of Women to support community engagement sessions. During the reporting period, 1,552 parents and caregivers were reached through sessions on parenting, and 129 through sessions on early childhood development.
• For Global Parenting Month (June) in 2022, a mini radio drama series has been produced, addressing several early childhood development topics such as health nutrition, and early learning.
• The toolkit and training manuals for the community-led total sanitation approach were revised, and 101 stakeholders trained. 97 met all qualification requirements and were certified as facilitators, enabling them to contribute to open defecation-free communities. Activities to support parents and caregivers with ECD resources and skills are receiving positive responses, with communities welcoming the opportunity to support their young children’s well-being through nutrition, early learning and responsive caregiving.
At present, Solomon Islands stakeholders are undertaking consultations towards a National ECD Policy, following several province-focused workshops to inform their way forward.