This will be used to promote the development of physical, language, communication, cognitive and socio-emotional skills among children age 0-5.

It will also seek to strengthen out-of-school interventions aimed at promoting development of children who are socially vulnerable, prioritising those resident in the North Western and North Eastern provinces – the two regions most affected by poverty – and the outskirts of Buenos Aires City.

Argentina has estimated that 15% of children aged 3-5 fail to meet the level of development expected of them.

Another aspect of the project will be to increase access to early childhood education centres, and develop analytical tools to increase the effectiveness of child-rearing practices in the 200 districts with the largest numbers of unmet basic needs.

The programme will include the construction or expansion of 98 kindergartens.

IDB’s loan is for a 25-year term, with a 5.5-year grace period and an interest rate based on Libor.