UAE global leader in empowering young children: US-based ECD Measure

ECD Measure, a leading US-based organization specializing in early childhood care and development, has named the UAE a global leader in empowering young children, according to a WAM report.

The recognition follows ECD Measure winning the Khalifa Award for Education in its 19th cycle, under the Khalifa International Award for Early Learning, announced this week.

Why did ECD Measure praise the UAE?

ECD Measure praised the UAE for its integrated framework of legislation, policies and national strategies supporting young children. The organization highlighted how this framework promotes children's healthy and social development, provides quality education, and creates opportunities to identify and nurture their talents for the future.

What does the Khalifa Award for Education recognize?

ECD Measure said winning the award marks a significant milestone in its journey to enhance the quality of early learning environments through targeted educational initiatives for young children. Humaid Al Houti, Secretary-General of the Khalifa Award for Education, said the recognition reflects the award's mission, objectives and international standing.

Al Houti said the Khalifa International Award for Early Learning seeks to create a positive, lasting impact on early childhood care and development worldwide. He added that this approach reflects the award's commitment to highlighting leading international practices developed by scientific centers and specialized institutions working to advance early childhood development.

What is ECD Measure's approach to early learning?

Rebecca Mojgani, Vice President of ECD Measure, said the award has become a leading global platform for showcasing creative practices and innovative solutions in early childhood development. She explained that ECD Measure focuses on the quality of everyday interactions between educators and children, within a learning environment that fosters creativity, innovation and talent discovery in the early years.

Mojgani noted that many early childhood care and education systems face a gap between national quality standards and everyday classroom practice. To address this, ECD Measure developed the Brief Early Childhood Quality Inventory, known as BEQI: Together in Practice, which turns quality measurement into a continuous improvement approach that directly supports educators.

How does the BEQI system work?

The BEQI system combines quality measurement with practical support for educators. It uses observation data to provide strengths-based feedback, encourage goal-setting and deliver ongoing, light-touch professional development. ECD Measure describes it as a technology-enabled system that helps educators translate quality standards into improvements in everyday classroom practice.

Mojgani said ECD Measure has implemented BEQI in more than 20 countries, backed by rigorous scientific evaluations demonstrating its effectiveness. It has been used across family childcare programs, preschool classrooms and community-based early childhood programs worldwide.

What results has the BEQI system shown?

Randomized controlled trials in Kenya and the United States found that educators who received individualized feedback and motivational messages implemented significantly more quality practices over three to four months, with moderate to large effect sizes. Mojgani said these results approach the impact levels achieved by coaching and professional development models that require far greater resources.

The system is also low-cost, flexible and scalable, relying on readily available technologies and requiring limited training. These advantages make it practical for integration into existing government quality assurance systems and professional development programs, strengthening its sustainability and potential for impact at scale.