‘Starting well’ is an Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) research programme, commissioned by the Lien Foundation, which ranks the preschool environments in 45 countries. And what is India's rank on the Index? You guessed it right. [Photos: Think Stock Images]
India ranks last overall at Rank 45th in the latest 'Starting Well' Index for early childhood education environments, behind other countries such as Ghana (40th), the Philippines (43rd) and Indonesia (44th). This is due to a combination of limited availability, the lowest overall quality, and relatively high costs. This is partly related to the fact that India faces the toughest social conditions: high rates of child malnutrition and child mortality, combined with low rates of literacy and immunization.
#1. Finland
Index Score: 91.8
Europe dominates the Index, taking all but four of the top 20 positions. This is of little surprise: it is culturally and politically accepted in Europe that the government will assume a significant role in delivering preschool education. Investment stretches back decades, helping ensure good availability and affordability, with typically high quality.
#2. Sweden
Index Score: 91.7
The Nordic countries did especially well, taking four of the top six places. In many respects, these countries have been dealt an easy hand: they have relatively high average incomes, fairly homogenous populations, and a well-defined and long accepted role for the state. Nevertheless, they have also made significant efforts to entrench the importance of preschool education. For example, the status afforded to teachers usually matches other respected professions, with commensurate qualifications and wages.
#3. Norway
Score: 88.9
During construction of the Index and research for their paper, the EIU interviewed a number of experts from across the world—including early childcare experts, academics, NGOs, preschool practitioners, and policy specialists.
#4. UK
Score: 87.9
At its core, the Starting Well Index assesses the extent to which governments provide a good, inclusive early childhood education (ECE) environment for children between the ages of three and six. In particular, it considers the relative availability, affordability and quality of such preschool environments.
#5. Belgium
Score: 84.7
Many high-income countries rank poorly, despite wealth being a major factor in a country’s ability to deliver preschool services. Australia, Canada, Singapore and the US, for example, are all listed in the lower half of the Index, despite having high average per-capita incomes.
#6. Denmark
Score: 83.5
Several countries punch above their weight, delivering widespread preschool services, despite having lower average per capita incomes relative to their peers. Despite budgetary challenges, a number of other countries, such as Chile and the Czech Republic, have made significant efforts to ensure preschool provision for all families, including instituting it as a legal right.
#7. France
Score: 81.0
#8. Netherlands
Score: 75.6
#9. New Zealand
Score: 73.9
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