Assessment of Existing Competencies of Child Development Workers (CDWs) Towards Progressive Achievement of National Competency Standards
Project Director: Dr. Roberto E. Javier, Jr.
Funding Agency: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
The project seeks to generate evidence as basis for more systematic professionalization of and provision of support to Child Development Workers (CDWs). Specifically, it assesses the existing level of competencies (knowledge, skills and attitude) of CDWs in Day Care Centers (DCCs)/Child Development Centers (CDCs) and Supervised Neighborhood Playgroups (SNPs) with different profiles and in different contexts. Based on the results of this assessment, it provides strategic and comprehensive recommendations, especially for CDWs in difficult situations, to a) strengthen the system for continuous personal and professional development of CDWs toward the progressive achievement of national competency standards and attainment of desired development and learning of young children; and b) adapt a more structured hiring system with defined selection criteria and standardized remuneration scheme and performance appraisal to recruit and retain performing, trained and experienced CDWs.
Key words: child development workers, national competency standards, professional development, hiring system, performance appraisal