Essential services for young children in Edineț

Young children and their families in Edineț district will now have access to integrated early childhood development services closer to home, following the official launch of the Early Childhood Intervention Service.

The initiative is the result of a partnership between the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, the National Health Insurance Company, Edineț District Council, the National Institute for Early Childhood Intervention, and the “Step by Step” Educational Program Moldova. It builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2025, piloting a family-centred early intervention model based on collaboration between the health, education, and social protection sectors..

The Early Childhood Intervention Service, established within the Edineț Health Centre, provides multidisciplinary services, including child development assessment and monitoring, parental counselling, and psycho-pedagogical support. Each year, at least 250 children and their families will benefit from monitoring, psycho-pedagogical assistance, and parental guidance.

At the same time, 35 Resource Centres established in early education institutions across the district, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Research and UNICEF, are strengthening inclusion in kindergartens and ensuring that all children have access to quality learning opportunities. These centres promote innovative approaches such as learning through play, social-emotional learning, and interactive reading, contributing to children’s holistic development and supporting the inclusion of those with special educational needs in preschool settings.

A key element of the initiative is investment in the capacity of local professionals. Over 200 teachers from the 35 institutions, together with 35 specialists from health, education, and social protection, have been trained in innovative pedagogies and transdisciplinary approaches. This strengthens the community’s ability to provide integrated support to children with developmental delays and their families.

The new pilot initiative in Edineț is financially supported by the United States Government, through the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM), which contributed to the establishment of the Early Intervention Centre, as well as by the Government of the Republic of Korea, which supports the launch of the 35 Resource Centres. The model promotes transdisciplinary collaboration between the health, education, and social protection sectors and will contribute to the development of a local system of services that can later be expanded nationwide.

The inauguration event included a visit to a Resource Centre, where national and local partners interacted directly with children, educators, and parents, followed by the official opening of the Early Childhood Intervention Centre within the Edineț Health Centre. This experience demonstrated how complementary services work together to support early development, inclusion, and children’s well-being.

This initiative aligns with the Inclusive Education Development Programme of the Republic of Moldova for 2024–2027 and its Action Plan, approved by the Government. The programme aims to create inclusive learning environments at all levels of education, strengthen multidisciplinary support services, and expand access to quality education for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

To date, 16 early childhood intervention centres have been established across the Republic of Moldova, providing support to children and their families. Around 1,700 children with special educational needs are currently enrolled in kindergartens across the country.

In addition, more than 30,000 preschool children already benefit from innovative, child-centred approaches such as learning through play, social-emotional development, and interactive reading, through 185 Resource Centres established in kindergartens nationwide in 2024–2025 by UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research.

“Through the development of the early intervention system, the Republic of Moldova has taken important steps towards aligning with international standards. A strengthened regulatory framework has enabled the creation of a functional system centred on the child and the family. The national plan for 2023–2027 expands access to these services up to the age of five and aims to cover the entire country - an ambitious but essential goal for equity in health and education.

The centre we are inaugurating today in Edineț is a concrete expression of this strategy. It will provide integrated services - from multidisciplinary assessment to speech therapy, physiotherapy, and psychological support - all focused on the child’s optimal development and on supporting the family. These services are not just therapeutic interventions, but collaborative processes in which the family becomes an active partner in the child’s development.” Andrei Romancenco, State Secretary, Ministry of Health

“Early Childhood Intervention means acting within a narrow window that does not reopen. The early years are when brain development is at its fastest, and when timely support has the greatest impact — both for the child and for the public system. When services reach children early, developmental risks are reduced before they become more complex and more costly. This is not only a social commitment; it is also an efficient use of public resources.” Maha Damaj, UNICEF Country Representative in Moldova

“By financing early childhood intervention services through mandatory health insurance funds, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every child has the chance for healthy development from the very first years of life. Expanding these services nationwide is a strategic investment in children’s health and in the future of our society. Early intervention services provide timely support where it matters most. For many parents, these services mean hope, trust, and real support.” Nelea Rotaru, Head of the Northern Territorial Directorate, NHIC

“This service was highly anticipated in Edineț district, given the growing demand from families for specialized support. The opening of the centre and the 35 Resource Centres responds to a real need in the community and brings services closer to children and parents.” Nicolae Melnic, President of Edineț District

“I am the mother of a child who is almost three years old, and I carry in my heart the experiences, worries, and hopes that many parents share. There are moments in life when a child’s path requires more support, patience, and understanding, and every timely intervention becomes essential. The opening of this centre reflects a real sense of responsibility towards us, as parents, and towards our children — a place where professionalism meets empathy, and where support becomes tangible. Thank you for your commitment, dedication, and for giving our children the chance to reach their full potential from the earliest years of life.” Cojocari Cristalina, parent, Viișoara village