Early Childhood Care and Education: A Playful Start to Learning

 

By Sadaket Ali
sadaketjammu@gmail.com

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) has finally taken centre stage in India’s education reforms, and for good reason. Science has proven that more than 85 percent of a child’s brain development happens before the age of six. These early years are a golden window of opportunity, when the right care, stimulation, and learning experiences can set the foundation for a lifetime of success. Unfortunately, millions of children in the country, especially from disadvantaged families, are deprived of this critical support. The new vision for ECCE seeks to change that by ensuring universal access to high-quality early education, health, and nutrition for every child by 2030.

The guiding principle of ECCE is simple: children learn best when they play. Instead of rote memorization, ECCE emphasizes flexible, play-based, activity-driven, and inquiry-oriented learning. Young learners will explore alphabets, numbers, colours, and shapes through stories, puzzles, and games. They will develop problem-solving and logical thinking skills while engaging in art, painting, craft, drama, music, movement, and puppetry. Equally important will be lessons in teamwork, empathy, ethics, cleanliness, and social behaviour. In essence, ECCE aims to nurture the whole child—physically, cognitively, emotionally, socially, and artistically—while also laying the foundation of early literacy and numeracy.

To ensure consistency and quality, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will create a National Curricular and Pedagogical Framework for ECCE (NCPFECCE). This will cover children from birth to eight years, with separate sub-frameworks for ages 0–3 and 3–8. Importantly, this framework will not only draw upon global best practices but will also integrate India’s rich heritage of stories, songs, poetry, folklore, and games that have shaped childhood learning for generations. Parents as well as institutions will benefit from this guiding document, which will keep ECCE grounded in Indian culture while also being future-ready.

To achieve universal coverage, ECCE will be delivered through a wide network of strengthened institutions: stand-alone Anganwadis, Anganwadis co-located with primary schools, pre-primary sections within existing schools, and stand-alone preschools. Anganwadis will receive significant upgrades—well-ventilated, child-friendly buildings, enriched play equipment, and trained teachers. Children in Anganwadis will also get opportunities to visit nearby primary schools, interact with teachers, and participate in activities that ease their transition into Grade 1. This integration will ensure that young learners feel comfortable and confident as they step into formal schooling.

Education cannot succeed without good health and nutrition. Recognizing this, the Mid-Day Meal Programme will be extended to preparatory classes so that even the youngest children benefit from nutritious food. Health check-ups and growth monitoring, which are already a part of the Anganwadi system, will also cover preparatory classes in both schools and Anganwadis. This holistic approach ensures that a child’s body and mind develop hand in hand.

At the heart of ECCE are its teachers. To build a strong cadre of professionals, Anganwadi workers and teachers will undergo systematic training. Those with 10+2 qualifications and above will complete a six-month certificate programme in ECCE, while those with lower qualifications will receive a one-year diploma covering literacy, numeracy, and child development. These courses will be delivered through flexible modes such as digital platforms, DTH channels, and smartphones, ensuring that teachers can learn without disrupting their current work. Cluster Resource Centres will provide monthly contact classes for mentoring and continuous assessment. Looking ahead, state governments will establish stage-specific professional training, career pathways, and continuous professional development opportunities to create a dedicated workforce of ECCE educators.

ECCE will not be limited to urban schools and mainstream education. It will also be introduced in Ashramshalas (residential schools in tribal areas) and all formats of alternative schooling. This phased inclusion ensures that children in tribal-dominated and remote regions also benefit from early learning opportunities, bridging the gap between privileged and underprivileged learners.

The success of ECCE depends on seamless collaboration. The Ministry of Education (formerly MHRD) will lead in designing curriculum and pedagogy to ensure continuity between pre-primary and primary education. But since ECCE covers nutrition, health, and development alongside education, planning and implementation will be carried out jointly by the Ministries of Education, Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, and Tribal Affairs. A dedicated Joint Task Force will provide continuous guidance, ensuring smooth integration of ECCE into the school education system.

The vision for ECCE is ambitious yet vital. It is not merely about preparing children for Grade 1; it is about giving them the best possible start in life. By combining health, nutrition, play-based learning, cultural values, and professional teacher training, India is setting the stage for a generation of learners who are confident, capable, and compassionate. The year 2030 stands as a milestone, by which time universal access to high-quality ECCE must become a reality. When that happens, every child, regardless of background, will walk into school not just ready to learn—but ready to thrive.

The Writer is a Teacher in School Education Department Jammu

 

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