Early childhood centers
In Bhutan, there are very few early childhood care and learning facilities in rural areas.
Loden has developed childcare centers so that everyone can have access to education.
The first six years of a child's life are the most formative period in their cognitive, emotional and social development. This period has a lasting impact on how children will behave as adults. Investing in the early years of childhood can ensure responsible and fulfilled future generations. Loden's early learning centers offer children in rural areas the opportunity to start their education at the right time. Since 2008, five centers have been created.
The animators - most of whom are from local communities - work closely with other community members and local schools to meet the needs of the children. Most of them aged 3 to 5 years, they become familiar with the respectful behavior necessary in society, the rules of hygiene, the learning of Dzongkha and English, they understand the importance of the value of the home, the sense of community and parents, they are sensitized to the environment, as well as waste management and maintenance of order in their center.
The centers are equipped with essential educational materials updated every year, a playground for children to learn to enjoy playing and to stay healthy.
The skills of animators are deepened so that they are able to provide children with a healthy and inclusive education.
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Since its launch, more than 600 children have graduated from Loden Early Childhood Learning Centers in 2021.
The Loden Foundation currently operates three learning centers in the following districts:
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Ura community in Bumthang
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Lingmithang community in Mongar
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Norbugang community in Samtse
* The Paro and Zhemgang centers have been handed over to the Ministry of Education.
The Loden Foundation hopes to establish similar centers in other parts of Bhutan to complement the efforts of the Bhutanese government.
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