This Policy Note explores the broader social network involved in early childhood care and development (ECCD), challenging the traditional parent-centric approach that often dominates policy and practice. It highlights that while the parent-child relationship is central to ECCD, focusing solely on parents can overlook the broader network of caregivers. In the Philippine context, where child-rearing is often intergenerational and community-based, various actors—siblings, grandparents, household helpers, day care workers, and local health workers—play vital roles in a child’s early development. The findings reaffirm the notion that it "takes a village to raise a child" and argue for a more inclusive framework in ECCD that acknowledges the diverse caregiving environment surrounding young children. Thus, it suggests that ECCD policies should be responsive to the diverse needs of all significant caregivers involved.
