Childhood Education Consolidated Progress During 2025

Early childhood education in Holguin consolidated positive results in 2025 in providing comprehensive care to children from an early age. While also facing challenges stemming from weather-related events and the need to continue refining pedagogical processes.

The work carried out focused on raising the quality of education, expanding institutional capacities. Gradually responding to the demands of working families in the region.

Yaima Cruz de la Cruz, head of this educational level in the province, highlighted among the most relevant achievements of the period the systematic training of educators. Which allowed for strengthening the differentiated approach to children through curriculum improvements.

“This progress resulted in more tailored attention to the individual characteristics of each child. With an emphasis on language development, communication, pre-writing skills, and basic math concepts—fundamental pillars for entering primary education. Likewise, progress was made in developing innovative teaching materials that enriched the educational process and stimulated learning. Through more creative and participatory methods,” she stated.

During 2025, capacity in childcare centers was also increased. Which significantly reduced the backlog of applications from working mothers. As part of these efforts, the creation of childcare centers allowed for the opening of two new classrooms. One of them in the municipality of Moa, with a capacity for 20 children, considered among the year’s main achievements.

Childhood Education Consolidated Progress During 2025 0 — Photo: Kevin Manuel Noya

Currently, the province has 65 childcare centers and 24 daycare facilities. A network that guarantees greater coverage and stability in childcare services. Even though the construction of new facilities is not currently planned due to decreased demand.

Futhermore the year was also marked by Hurricane Melissa, which damaged several institutions, primarily childcare centers. Thanks to the combined efforts of administrators, staff, families, and the community. All of these centers were successfully restored. Although adjustments to capacity redistribution persist in some specific cases.

In the municipality of Holguin, for example, the children from the Futuros Moncadistas childcare center were relocated to the Nene Traviesa center. While those from the Mi Tesoro center are being cared for at Futuros Internacionalistas and other centers as requested by their families. Work is also underway to restore the daycare facility run by the health sector in the provincial capital, which is currently temporarily relocated.

Beyond the institutional model, the “Educate Your Child” program continued to play a vital role in early childhood development. Benefiting children in 21 community councils. This non-institutional approach strengthened families’ ability to foster child development at home and maintained its positive impact in vulnerable communities and even in prisons. Where it promotes the bond between parents and children through joint educational activities.

Also the official also added that in 2026, Early Childhood Education in Holguin identifies the continuous improvement of the curriculum and the comprehensive assessment of the entire child population as its main challenge.

In this regard, a project supported by UNICEF is particularly relevant. The province will serve as a pilot program in the municipalities of Moa, Mayari, and Holguin. Also with the aim of deepening the assessment of children and adjusting educational strategies to their actual needs. Among the priorities is also the complete elimination of pending applications from working mothers. So with an emphasis on the municipality of Rafael Freyre, the only area still reporting unmet needs.

In a complex economic and social context, Early Childhood Education in Holguin reaffirms its commitment to guaranteeing equal opportunities and full development from the earliest years of life. The progress achieved in 2025, along with the challenges identified in 2026, confirm that investing in this stage ensures a solid foundation for the future of schoolchildren and, consequently, for the development of Cuban society.