Actress Ma Yili interacts with children in Liping county, Guizhou province. [Photo/Official Weibo of UNICEF]

Located in the southeast of Guizhou province, Liping county is one of the four national-level poverty-stricken counties where UNICEF is working with the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) and the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) to provide a comprehensive package of community-based ECD services including health, nutrition, early stimulation and child protection for youngsters.

Latest global evidence shows that, in the first 1,000 days of life from conception, there is an early window of opportunity to provide nurturing care (nutrition, early learning, responsive care, hygiene, sanitation and security) that children need for their brains to develop fully and to help fulfill their potential.

Ma was also impressed by the outreach and support provided by social workers to the most vulnerable families with young children. "I learned the social worker often makes home visits, talking to parents and learning about the difficult situation of the poor families."

"They help identify the urgent needs of children and support the families to receive critical social assistance through such means as medical insurance or low-income subsidy. I think the role of the social worker is very important here."