Colombian Ministry of National Education and ICBF Collaborate to Expand Access to Early Childhood Education

colombia Advances universal Initial Education Access with New Guidelines

Bogotá, August 30, 2025 – A nationwide push to expand access to early childhood education is gaining momentum in Colombia, as the Ministry of National Education and the Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF) have jointly released Circular 034 of 2025. This new directive aims to streamline collaboration and accelerate the progressive universalization of initial education for all children between the ages of zero and five.

The initiative, directly linked to the National Advancement Plan 2022-2026 – dubbed “Colombia, a world Power of Life” – prioritizes providing high-quality early learning opportunities, with a particular focus on vulnerable communities and regions facing higher risks for children’s well-being.

Two-Tiered System for Optimal Development

Initial education in Colombia is now formally structured around two key stages. The first encompasses care and education from birth until a child turns three years old. The second phase caters to children aged three to six, incorporating the Prejardín, garden, and Transition grades of preschool.This tiered approach seeks to ensure age-appropriate learning and development across the spectrum of early childhood.

Officials state that this reorganization is designed to create a locally-relevant system, ensuring every child has access to services close to home and tailored to their family’s needs.

Six Core Principles Guiding the Initiative

The universalization of initial education will be guided by six foundational principles. these include simultaneous action across specific territories,complementary support services,a holistic approach to care,cross-sectoral collaboration,prioritizing areas with historical disadvantages,and active community engagement.

To facilitate these principles, a key strategy outlined in the circular is the reinforcement of “territorial traffic tables.” These forums will coordinate efforts between the ICBF,local education authorities,and educational institutions,ensuring smooth access and continued participation for children in educational programs. The ICBF will focus on children aged zero to three, while the education sector will concentrate on those between three and six years old.

Age Group	lead Agency	Educational Focus
0-3 Years	ICBF	Early Care & Development
3-6 Years	Ministry of National Education	Preschool (Prejardín, Garden, Transition)

Did You Know? Colombia’s investment in early childhood education aligns with global research demonstrating the long-term positive impacts of quality initial education on cognitive and socio-emotional development.

Webinar to Detail Implementation

A dedicated webinar is scheduled for September 2nd to inform education secretaries, teaching managers, regional Directors of the ICBF, and other key stakeholders about the implementation of Circular 034 of 2025. The session will outline guidelines for collaborative efforts towards comprehensively universalizing initial education services.

In cases where services overlap, priority will be given to enrolling children aged three to five in official educational establishments, recognizing that the transition grade for five-year-olds is compulsory and must be provided by public schools.Moreover, the circular emphasizes the importance of strengthening pedagogical groups – collaborative learning communities comprised of teachers, educational agents, parents, and community leaders – to continuously improve educational processes and respond to local needs.

Pro Tip: Parents and caregivers should actively participate in these pedagogical groups to voice their input and contribute to the development of tailored educational programs for their children.

This initiative builds upon previous efforts, such as the Ministry of National Education’s longitudinal study aimed at understanding the specific needs of Colombian children for optimal growth and well-being. More facts about the study can be found here.

The Importance of Universal Initial Education

Experts continually underscore the critical role of early childhood education in shaping future societal outcomes. Access to quality initial education is linked to reduced inequality, improved school readiness, and enhanced lifetime earnings. According to UNESCO, every $1 invested in early childhood development yields a return of $4 to $9 in terms of increased productivity and reduced social costs (source: UNESCO).

This initiative is a step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colombia’s Initial Education Initiative

• What is the primary goal of Circular 034 of 2025? It aims to streamline efforts to provide initial education to 2.7 million children aged 0-5 in Colombia.
• What are the two stages of initial education in colombia? The first is for children from birth to three years,and the second is for children from three to six years.
• Who is responsible for children aged 0-3? The ICBF (Colombian Institute for Family Welfare) is primarily responsible for this age group.
• Who is responsible for children aged 3-6? The Ministry of national Education oversees initial education for this age range.
• What are “territorial traffic tables”? They are forums for coordinating efforts between various agencies to ensure access to education for all children.
• Is the transition grade mandatory? Yes, the transition grade for five-year-old children is mandatory and must be provided by official educational establishments.
• What is the role of pedagogical groups? They are collaborative learning communities that aim to continuously improve educational processes.

What are your thoughts on Colombia’s expanded investment in early childhood education? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below!

How does the MEN-ICBF collaboration specifically address the needs of vulnerable populations in rural and underserved communities?

The Joint Initiative: A Deep Dive

The Colombian Ministry of National Education (MEN) and the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) have announced a meaningful collaborative effort aimed at dramatically expanding access to educación inicial (early childhood education) across the country. This partnership focuses on bolstering existing programs and implementing new strategies to reach vulnerable populations, particularly in rural and underserved communities.The core objective is to ensure all Colombian children, aged 0-5, have access to quality early learning opportunities. This initiative directly addresses national development goals related to social equity and human capital formation.

Key Components of the Collaboration

The MEN-ICBF partnership isn’t a single program, but rather a multi-faceted approach encompassing several key areas:

Expansion of Jardines Infantiles (childcare Centers): A primary focus is the construction and renovation of jardines infantiles, particularly in areas with documented shortages. this includes providing necessary resources – furniture,educational materials,and trained personnel.

Strengthening the Cuna Más Program: Cuna Más is a crucial program providing complete care for children under five from vulnerable families. The collaboration aims to increase the program’s coverage and improve the quality of services offered, including nutritional support and developmental stimulation.

Teacher Training and Professional Development: Recognizing the importance of qualified educators, the initiative prioritizes ongoing training for educadoras (early childhood educators). This includes workshops on pedagogical best practices, child development, and inclusive education.

Community engagement and Parental Involvement: The MEN and ICBF are actively promoting community participation in early childhood education. This involves workshops for parents and caregivers on topics like early stimulation, positive parenting, and the importance of early learning.

Improved Monitoring and Evaluation: A robust monitoring and evaluation framework is being implemented to track the progress of the initiative and ensure accountability. This data will inform future program adjustments and improvements.

Addressing Barriers to Access: A targeted Approach

Colombia faces unique challenges in providing equitable access to early childhood education.The MEN-ICBF collaboration specifically targets these barriers:

geographical Isolation: Rural communities frequently enough lack the infrastructure and resources necessary to support jardines infantiles. The initiative prioritizes mobile childcare units and community-based programs to reach these populations.

Poverty and Socioeconomic Disadvantage: Families living in poverty may struggle to afford childcare or prioritize education due to immediate economic needs. Cuna Más and othre subsidized programs are designed to alleviate these financial burdens.

Conflict and Displacement: Regions affected by armed conflict and internal displacement frequently enough experience disruptions in educational services. The collaboration aims to restore and expand access to early childhood education in these areas.

Indigenous and Afro-Colombian Communities: Recognizing the cultural diversity of Colombia, the initiative emphasizes culturally relevant pedagogy and the inclusion of indigenous languages and traditions in early learning programs.

The Role of ICBF in Early Childhood Development

The ICBF plays a pivotal role in this collaboration, leveraging its expertise in child welfare and family support.Its responsibilities include:

Identifying Vulnerable Children: The ICBF’s network of social workers identifies children in need of early childhood education services.

Providing Nutritional Support: Ensuring children have access to adequate nutrition is crucial for healthy development. The ICBF provides food assistance and nutritional education to families participating in early learning programs.

Protecting Children’s Rights: the ICBF safeguards the rights of children in early childhood education settings, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Family Strengthening Programs: Supporting families is essential for creating a nurturing environment for children’s development.The ICBF offers programs that address issues like domestic violence, substance abuse, and parental skills.

Benefits of Increased Access to Early Childhood Education

Investing in early childhood education yields significant long-term benefits for individuals and society as a whole:

Improved Cognitive Development: Early learning experiences stimulate brain development and enhance cognitive skills, such as language, literacy, and problem-solving.

Enhanced Social-Emotional Skills: Educación inicial fosters social-emotional development, helping children learn to regulate their emotions, build relationships, and cooperate with others.

Increased School Readiness: Children who participate in early learning programs are better prepared for primary school, leading to improved academic outcomes.

Reduced Inequality: Expanding access to early childhood education helps to level the playing field for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, promoting social mobility.

Economic Growth: A well-educated workforce is essential for economic growth. Investing in early childhood education is an investment in Colombia’s future.

real-World Example: The Impact in Guaviare

The department of Guaviare, historically impacted by conflict, has seen a positive transformation through the MEN-ICBF collaboration. Prior to the initiative, access to jardines infantiles was severely limited. Through joint efforts, several new childcare centers were established, and existing facilities were renovated. This has