The Public-Private Partnership Model in the Management of Early Childhood Policy in Medellin: Case Study

Objective: State outsourcing of the provision of health care policies is part of the neoliberal model. Early childhood policy in Medellin is managed under the public-private partnership modality with private non-profit institutions. The purpose of this study was to establish the philosophical foundations of the policy, the state’s control over the policy, pressure from interest groups and the working conditions of workers. Method: It is a qualitative study. Results: It was found that the philosophical foundations of the policy are public because the rights of the child inspire it; the state (city government) leads the policy, defines the guidelines and supervises compliance of objectives. However, the policy is carried out at the expense of the labor rights of professionals, and there is pressure on hiring by interest groups. Conclusion: The outsourcing of public policies to local non-profit organizations has adverse outcomes similar to policy outsourcing carried out through private companies.