Contributing to Early Childhood Education sector in Kazakhstan

Central Asian Research Centre for Educational Innovation and Transformation (CARCEIT) and Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education (NUGSE) were honoured to participate in the plenary session of the National Academic Committee on Pre-School and Primary School Education, an important gathering that brings together national stakeholders to shape the future of early childhood and primary school education in Kazakhstan. Chaired by Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University (KNWTTU), the event took place at Gumilyov Eurasian National University in Astana, on April 18, 2025, and served as a key platform for discussing academic programmes and initial teacher education improvement.

Representing NUGSE, Prof. Daniel Hernández-Torrano and CARCEIT, Dr. Laura Ibrayeva shared some of the findings from their project, "The Role of Positive Early Childhood Education and Care in the Health and Well-being of Young Children in Kazakhstan,"funded by CARCEIT.

Their presentation, “Promoting Well-being in Kindergarten Settings,” drew from children’s own voices and highlighted how positive emotions, play, meaningful relationships, and supportive environments enhance children’s well-being. They shared research-based recommendations to enhance early childhood and primary education programmes, as well as initial teacher training.

Sincere thanks are extended to Dr. Gulmira Qanay, Rector of KNWTTU and Chair of the Committee, for the invitation and for affirming the role of research in building a more compassionate, responsive, and child-centred early education system in Kazakhstan.