The promise of preschool in Africa: a randomized impact evaluation of early childhood development in rural Mozambique

This 3ie supported study is the first evaluation of an early childhood development programme in Africa - a continent where the majority of children under the age of 5 do not grow or learn to their full potential. Sebastian Martinez et al 's randomized evaluation of a preschool intervention implemented by Save the Children in Mozambique shows that children who attend preschools are more likely to enrol in primary school at the right age. They show large improvements in cognitive and problem solving abilities, fine motor skills and social behaviour, and their siblings are also more likely to go to primary school.