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This Spanish-language publication reflects the philosophy and support of the Bernard van Leer Foundation for early childhood care and development. It highlights different approaches to early childhood care and development and explains why the foundation believes that investing in early childhood is one of the best ways of building a brighter, better future. The publication seeks to assist policy makers and program planners in their search for realistic, effective, and affordable ways to enhance early childhood care and development. The various approaches to early childhood interventions included in this document are run by a variety of partner organizations in the countries concerned: local and national governments, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and community agencies. They are given as examples of programs that build on local culture and local realities. Eight chapters cover the following topics: (1) why children matter; (2) the importance of the early years; (3) why parents are important; (4) involving parents; (5) involving the community; (6) benefits of early childhood interventions; (7) quality and cost; and (8) developing an agenda for action. Fourteen examples, included as sidebars in the chapters, profile efforts of several countries or address special topics. Contains 37 references. (HTH)

Information collected from interviews with 15 ministers of education and 30 program directors and researchers at 18 universities in Venezuela, Costa Rica, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina is used to study academic programs which prepare persons to be educational planners and administrators. Section one describes background information, institutional and program characteristics, staffing, program evaluations, and future expectations of the institutional programs. Section two reports on conclusions of the study in terms of the necessity for educational programs, objectives, programs' contents, students, themes, changes, resources, graduates, and the relationship of a university to a national planning office. Section three includes recommendations and proposals. Conclusions suggest serious deficiencies in educational planning and administration programs because of reduction in funding and lack of adequate financial sources. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) encourages interchange and cooperation among these countries to: (1) increase the quality of education for planners and administrators; and (2) develop new models of planning and administration management that are more flexible and democratic. Appendices present educational program information by country, by persons interviewed, and includes the questionnaire. (JHP)