For years, Moldova offered little structured professional development for educators working with its youngest children. Early education services existed, but professionals caring for children aged 0–3 rarely had access to specialized training tailored to this decisive stage of development.
Since 2023, the Moldova Early Education Initiative has worked to close this gap by professionalizing the early childhood workforce. These educators now support approximately 5,240 children across the country, including Ukrainian refugee children and children living in rural and underserved communities. Educators working in settings that also support Ukrainian refugee children are equipped to support increasingly diverse classrooms, ensuring that investments in workforce capacity benefit both host communities and refugee families. At the same time, educators are being equipped to recognize and respond to diverse needs within the classroom including developmental delays, psychosocial needs, safeguarding concerns, and the effects of displacement and trauma.