Program offer for the integral development of early childhood: Scoping review

Abstract

Objective: To describe the program offering designed to promote comprehensive early childhood development in Chile.

Method: A scoping review was carried out following the Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodological framework. A researcher conducted the review considering as inclusion criteria government programs aimed at the comprehensive development of children under 5 years of age in Chile. The data were organized and synthesized to describe the characteristics of the program and the service(s) it provides.

Results: The search identified 2.060 documents and 72 met the inclusion criteria. 59 current programs are covering early childhood, which are mainly managed by the Ministries of Justice, Education, Health, and Social Development. Most of the programs are aimed at promotion and intervention, focusing on vulnerable populations, are cross-sectoral, and use different strategies for their implementation.

Conclusion: The program offering in Chile for early childhood has characteristics suggested as effective to promote child development.