Section 4Sec./Art. 4

Definitions. The following terms are defined as follows:

(a) Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System shall refer to the full range of health, nutrition, early education and social services development programs that provide for the basic holistic needs of young children from age zero (0) to four (4) years; and to promote their optimum growth and development.

These programs shall include:

(1) Center-based programs, such as the day care service established under Republic Act No. 6972, otherwise known as the "Barangay Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act", and hereinafter referred to as the child development service, community or church-based early childhood education programs initiated by nongovernment organizations or peoples organizations, workplace-related child care and education programs, child-minding centers, health centers and stations; and

(2) Home-based programs, such as the neighborhood-based play groups, family child care programs, parent education and home visiting programs.

(b) ECCD Service Providers shall include the various professionals, paraprofessionals and volunteer caregivers who are directly responsible for the care and education of young children from age zero (0) to four (4) years through the various centers and home-based programs. They shall include, but shall not be limited to, day care workers hereinafter referred to as child development workers, child development teachers, teacher-aides, rural health midwives, social workers, community health workers, barangay nutrition scholars, parent effectiveness service volunteers, and family day care providers.

(c) ECCD Curriculum shall refer to the developmentally-appropriate educational objectives and practices, programs of activities, organized learning experiences, recommended learning materials and appropriate assessment for children from age zero (0) to four (4) years that are implemented by service providers through center and home-based programs. It shall consist of national program goals and guidelines, instructional objectives, and content outlines that are age-appropriate, individually appropriate and culturally relevant.

(d) Parent Education shall refer to the various formal and alternative means of providing parents with information, skills, and support systems to assist them in their roles as their childrens primary caregivers and educators. These include public and private parent education programs linked to center, home and media-based child care and education programs.