ABSTRACT
In Colombia the policies and programmes for child care and development have evolved slowly in a strategy that follows the guidelines of Basic Education for All. Education has been seen in the past as the key influence in successful adult functioning, offering good prospects for narrowing the gap between at-risk populations and the rest of society. Providing services or education within the cultural frame of reference of the groups participating in the programme is a very important dimension for success. The children benefit from day care, feeding and educational activities. The community mothers benefit from educational opportunities and newly acquired skills, home improvements, greater income and new roles within the community. Even though in some communities the programme has focused mainly on selected areas, as a whole it has been dealing with all the dimensions and components of integrated development. On a long-term basis, including curricular reforms in preschool education, social work, medicine, nursing and social promotion.
