Early childhood care and education

The essentials

Early childhood care and education (ECCE) refers to the care, health, nutrition, play and learning experiences provided to children from birth to about eight years. During these years the brain grows faster than at any later time, and habits, language, social skills and curiosity take shape. Good-quality ECCE improves school readiness, reduces drop-outs and helps children from poor families get a fair start.

ECCE is offered through anganwadi centres under ICDS, crèches and day-care centres, nursery schools, kindergartens and preschool classes attached to primary schools. India's National Education Policy 2020 treats ages 3 to 8 as the foundational stage of education.

Key points

• Care covers health, nutrition, safety, hygiene, rest and emotional security; education covers play-based learning of language, numbers, concepts and social skills.
• Play-way method: children learn best through play, activity and exploration rather than formal lessons.
• Developmentally appropriate practice: activities matched to the child's age, individual pace and cultural background.
• Montessori method: self-directed activity with specially designed materials in a prepared environment.
• Kindergarten: idea of a "children's garden" given by Friedrich Froebel.
• Crèche: day care for infants and young children of working parents.
• A good ECCE centre has a safe, clean space, trained caregivers, low adult–child ratio, indoor and outdoor play, and links with parents.
• Careers: preschool teacher, crèche manager, ECCE curriculum developer, toy and material designer.

Common mistakes

• Pushing formal reading, writing and homework too early; this goes against developmentally appropriate practice.
• Thinking ECCE is only about "teaching"; care and nutrition are equally important.