The early years : child well-being and the role of public policy / edited by Samuel Berlinski and Norbert Schady.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 211-253) and index.

Raising children: the case for government intervention -- A report card on early childhood development -- Family first -- Daycare services: it's all about quality -- Early schooling: teachers make the difference -- More bang for the buck: investing in early childhood development -- Drawing up an institutional architecture -- The task at hand: anything but child's play.

The Early Years analyzes the development of Latin American and Caribbean children and makes a compelling case for government intervention in what is instinctively a family affair. Spending on effective programs for young children is an investment that, if done well, will have very high returns, while failure to implement such programs will lower the returns on the hefty investments being made in primary, secondary, and higher education. Policies for young children belong at the core of a country's development agenda, alongside policies to develop infrastructure and strengthen institutions. However, if the services provided (or funded) by governments are to benefit children, they must be substantially better than what is currently being delivered in the region. This book offers suggestions for improving public policy in this critical area.