Section 5Sec./Art. 5

System Framework and Components. - The ECCD System shall be implemented in accordance with Philippine laws and regulations, and policies set forth by the ECCD Council. It shall include the delivery of complementary and integrated programs and services for good health, adequate nutrition, quality early childhood education, safety and security, responsive caregiving, opportunities for learning, well-being, sanitation, and cultural activities.

The ECCD System shall include the following components:

(a) ECCD Curriculum. - The curriculum shall focus on children's holistic development, take into account age, individual and socio-cultural appropriateness, and utilize developmentally appropriate practice, such as play, as its core component. It shall include programs and activities designed to prepare a child for formal schooling and facilitate a seamless transition from a home and community environment to a classroom setting. The use of indigenous games shall be encouraged;

(b) Parent Education and Involvement, Advocacy, and Mobilization of Communities. - This component shall harness and develop parent's strengths as providers of ECCD programs at home, active partners of other stakeholders, advocates for community concerns that affect children, and pillars of support for local and national ECCD programs through community organization efforts.

To this end, the ECCD Council shall promote awareness of all laws on the rearing, health, and development of the child, breastfeeding, maternal and reproductive health, and other laws related thereto.

For this purpose, the ECCD Council shall integrate in the ECCD System a referral mechanism for parents to relevant government agencies with programs related to the rearing, health, and development of the child, as well as maternal and reproductive health, as provided in Republic Act No. 11650, Republic Act No. 11148 or the "Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act", Republic Act No. 10354 or "The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012", Republic Act No. 10028 or the "Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009", and other related laws;

(c) Integrated Nutrition and Health Component. - This component shall prioritize the utmost welfare of the child and integrate the different programs and services for the nutrition and health of children below five (5) years of age, lactating mothers, and pregnant women under various laws and policies, which include Republic Act No. 11148 and Republic Act No. 11037 or the "Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act";

(d) Human Resource Development Component. - This component shall establish mechanisms for the systematic professionalization of CDTs throug enrollment in educational programs, pre-service or in-service training, or continuing education programs. It shall likewise provide enabling conditions for the competency assessment, certification, reskilling, and upskilling of CDWs and other service providers; and

(e) ECCD Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation. - This component shall consist of a continuing process of planning, implementation, supervision, financial management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to persons concerned and shall encourage the active involvement and build the capabilities of service providers, parents, and local govenrment officials to sustain the program.