Minas Gerais Enacts Historic Early Childhood Policy to Boost Care for Children 0 to 6
Minas Gerais launches a comprehensive early childhood policy, integrating health, education, and social support to protect children aged 0 to 6.
- • Minas Gerais enacts Law No. 25.610/2025 establishing the State Policy for Early Childhood.
- • Key programs include 'Leite para a Primeira Infância' and 'Criança Feliz' with broad municipal coverage.
- • Over 510,000 newborns registered for free through hospital civil registry units.
- • The policy promotes multi-sector collaboration to enhance child development and reduce inequalities.
Key details
On December 9, 2025, Minas Gerais established the State Policy for Early Childhood by approving Law No. 25.610/2025, targeting comprehensive care for children aged 0 to 6. The legislation mandates integrated efforts from social assistance, health, education, human rights, culture, and sports sectors to guarantee children's rights and foster holistic development during this critical stage. Secretary of State for Social Development Alê Portela described the law as a historic transformation that creates a permanent state commitment to early childhood rights.
Key programs under the new policy include the 'Leite para a Primeira Infância' initiative, which has invested R$10 million to supply 564,000 liters of free milk to over 18,000 vulnerable children aged 2 to 6. The 'Criança Feliz' program supports pregnant women and children up to 6 in vulnerable situations, operating across 318 municipalities and placing Minas Gerais second nationwide in municipal coverage for this initiative. Additionally, the 'Unidades Interligadas de Registro Civil' program facilitates free newborn registration directly in hospitals, having issued more than 510,000 birth certificates in 105 units covering 80 municipalities.
The law emphasizes collaborative governance to reduce inequalities and strengthen social protections, ensuring every child in Minas Gerais has opportunities crucial for cognitive, emotional, and social growth. This robust framework aims to enhance the well-being of families and reinforce the state's commitment to early childhood development.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.