Beyond Parents and Guardians: Mapping and Mobilizing the ‘Significant Others’ in Early Childhood Care and Development in the Philippines

Paul Gideon D. Lasco and Jhaki A. Mendoza

No DP 2025-01, Discussion Papers from Philippine Institute for Development Studies

Abstract: Early childhood care and development (ECCD) discourse, policy, and research have understandably focused on parents—their roles, knowledge, practices, and lived experiences. However, it truly “takes a village” to raise a child, particularly in an intergenerational, communal society like the Philippines, where both historical and future trends indicate a greater involvement of various “significant others” in the pag-aalaga (i.e., care or nurturing) of children. This report examines how Filipino parents approach early childhood development, emphasizing the central roles of various actors—parents, siblings, grandparents, domestic helpers (yayas, kasambahays), and community members (e.g., barangay health workers)—in shaping children's early development. Drawing from 17 key informant interviews and a review of the social science literature, this report maps the different participants in ECCD and proposes ways to leverage their involvement in improving child health and education outcomes. Comments on this paper are welcome within 60 days from the date of posting. Email publications@pids.gov.ph.

Keywords: early childhood care and development; childrearing; parenting experiences; caregiving network; qualitative research; ECCD (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 28
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:phd:dpaper:dp_2025-01

DOI: 10.62986/dp2025.01

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