Building solid foundations: programme effects evaluation of the grade RR programme at Christel House Junior School

Early childhood, from birth to nine years old, is the most important developmental period of an individual's life. As a result, Early childhood development (ECD) is increasingly becoming a focus for education policy debates around the world. ECD refers to the processes through which young children grow and thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, morally and socially" (McCoy, Zuilkowski, Yoshikawa & Fink, 2017). It is during this time that a foundation is laid for holistic development while cultivating a motivation for lifelong learning, preparing children for adulthood (Biersteker & Dawes, 2008). The value of ECD is driven by insights from multiple fields, including neuroscience, economics, and social sciences, which indicate that healthy development in early life is the foundation on which future success is built.