The Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCD Council) is ready for the upcoming school year! They've released a comprehensive set of guidelines and a suggested calendar of activities to ensure a smooth and enriching learning experience for our youngest learners. Here's a breakdown of the key points for Local Government Units (LGUs) and everyone involved in Early Learning Programs:
Getting Ready for School Year 2024-2025
- Community Mapping: Before enrolling children, Child Development personnel will conduct a Community Mapping to understand the specific needs of the community they serve.
- Age-Appropriate Programs: Children are placed in programs based on their age:
- Infant-Toddler Early Development (ITED) Program (0-2 years old)
- Pre-Kindergarten 1 Program (3 years old)
- Pre-Kindergarten 2 Program (4 years old)
- School Year Schedule: Mark your calendars! Child Development Centers will open their doors on August 5, 2024 and classes will run until April 15, 2025. Private Learning Centers (PLCs) can adopt this recommended calendar.
Ensuring Smooth Implementation
- Parent Orientation: Centers will hold Parent Orientations to discuss program goals, the school calendar, class schedules, center rules and regulations, and alternative learning methods (if applicable).
- Bayanihan Bulilit: This exciting community activity encourages stakeholders to work together to prepare the learning centers for the school year. It's a great way to ensure a conducive learning environment for the children!
Staying Safe and Healthy
- Health and Safety Measures: The minimum health and safety protocols to prevent COVID-19 and other diseases must be strictly observed in the centers. LGUs have the flexibility to consider alternative learning methods based on specific circumstances and health emergencies.
Let's Get This School Year Rolling!
The ECCD Council has also provided a suggested calendar of activities for SY 2024-2025. This includes events like:
- July: Parent Orientation and Bayanihang Bulilit
- August: Start of Classes!
- September: First Assessment Week for ITED and Pre-K Programs, Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTCs)
- October: No Scheduled Activities
- November: Second Assessment Week for ITED Program, PTCs for ITED
- December: Last Day of Classes before Year-End Break, Year-End Break begins
- January: Resumption of Classes
- February: Third Assessment Week for ITED Program, Second Assessment Week for Pre-K Programs, PTCs for ITED and Pre-K
- March: No Scheduled Activities
- April: End of Classes, Moving Up Ceremony, and End of Year PTCs
National and local holidays will be observed throughout the school year.
Remember, this is just a suggested calendar. You can find the full details, including the specific dates for national celebrations, by visiting the ECCD Council website:
The ECCD Council is committed to providing quality early learning experiences for all Filipino children. With these guidelines and calendar in place, we can ensure a successful and enriching school year for everyone!