To ensure children successfully learn and grow they need to be granted their basic rights. These rights help create and sustain an environment which meets the needs of different children. ECD programs incorporate child rights into their programs and view teachers and caregivers as agents that can protect these rights.

The concept of child rights was developed in the 1800s when people first recognized that children have special needs that should be met and that they require more support and protection than others. Child rights movements grew gradually in different parts of the world however these movements experienced irregular development. It was not until the early twentieth century the child rights movements gained momentum and emphasized the need for separation and development of exclusive rights for children. These rights are based on the belief that children should be given the opportunity to grow to their potential without suffering from hunger, abuse or neglect. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child formulation in 1989 led to the formal acknowledgment of child rights world wide; these were enforced in 1990. Some of the main features of this elaborate convention are as follows:

The child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and. as far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents. (Article 7)

States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures, that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child. Such determination may be necessary in a particular case such as one involving abuse or neglect of the child by the parents, or one where the parents are living separately and a decision must be made as to the child's place of residence. (Article 9)

States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child. (Article 14)

A child temporarily or permanently deprived of his or her family environment, or in whose own best interests cannot be allowed to remain in that environment, shall be entitled to special protection and assistance provided by the State. (Article 20)

States Parties recognize that a mentally or physically disabled child should enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child's active participation in the community. (Article 23)

States Parties recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health. States Parties shall strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services. (Article 24)

States Parties shall pursue full implementation of this right and, in particular, shall take appropriate measures: (Article 24)

o To diminish infant and child mortality;

o To ensure the provision of necessary medical assistance and health care to all children with emphasis on the development of primary health care;

o To combat disease and malnutrition, including within the framework of primary health care, through, inter alia, the application of readily available technology and through the provision of adequate nutritious foods and clean drinking-water, taking into consideration the dangers and risks of environmental pollution;

o To ensure appropriate pre-natal and post-natal health care for mothers;

o To ensure that all segments of society, in particular parents and children, are informed, have access to education and are supported in the use of basic knowledge of child health and nutrition, the advantages of breastfeeding, hygiene and environmental sanitation and the prevention of accidents;

o To develop preventive health care, guidance for parents and family planning education and services.