The UNESCO 2007 Global Monitoring Report entitled “Strong Foundations” showed that there are approximately 49 million children aged 0-5 in the Arab States, less than 19 per cent of which were enrolled in an ECCE programme or initiative in 2006. A study conducted by UNESCO Beirut highlights challenges in the region which include limited access; low political will and a lack of a coordinated approach to the management of ECCE services. However Interest in ECCE is steadily growing among governments, civil society organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Evidence of this can be seen in the initiation of new National Councils of Motherhood and Childhood, and the increasing establishment of ECCE departments in Schools of Education.
