EARLY CHILDHOOD
CARE AND EDUCATION
“The question is not whether we can invest in
every child; it is whether we can afford not to”
— Marian Wright Edelman
BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATION
At the heart of our vision lies a deep commitment towards nurturing the earliest stages of a child’s development.
From cultivating their unique personalities and fostering connections to shaping brain formation and refining motor skills, the formative years lay the groundwork for a lifetime of growth. Research in neuroscience reveals that a whopping 90% of brain development occurs before a child turns five.
Aligned with global research and national policy, we prioritize early childhood development from birth to 8 years, focusing on three key groups: children (0-3, 3-6, 6-8), caregivers, and educators. Our goal is to ensure a seamless transition during these critical stages,maximizing developmental opportunities.
OUR FOCUS IS ON TARGET 4.2 OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 4
EQUAL ACCESS TO QUALITY PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION
“By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primarye ducation so that they are ready for primary education.”
OUR JOURNEY
Since the late 1990s, we have been at the forefront of ECCE initiatives. From empowering Anganwadi centers in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, to conduct comprehensive early childhood development courses, we’ve worked across 12 states of India, with government systems and local, national, and international stakeholders to:
- Develop contextual, policy-aligned curricular materials and resources for children and educators
- Build the capacity of teachers, teacher educators, and state-level resource persons
- Develop prototypes to establish good practices
OUR STRATEGY
We offer comprehensive support for birth to 6+ years through tailored programs, resources, and guidance, fostering collaboration and effective communication among caregivers, educators, and children across the critical developmental stages.
At Grass-roots Level: We build demonstrable models to showcase a good, holistic early childhood care and education program.
At State Level: We assist in formulating curricula, training modules and other resources
KEY COMPONENTS OF THE MODELS
1
Stimulating play environment with activity corners
2
Capacity Building of Anganwadi Workers/ Pre-primary teachers
3
Strengthening Supportive Supervision for Mentoring and Monitoring
4
Promoting Awareness of Parents on quality ECCE
EXPLORE OUR WORK
COLLABORATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SUPPORTIVE SYSTEMS ARE KEY FACTORS IN FOSTERING SCHOOL READINESS EFFECTIVELY IN ASSAM
THE FIRST 1000 DAYS OFFER A UNIQUE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY THAT SHAPES THE CHILD’S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
RESPONSIVE CARE AND PARENTING PROGRAM TRANSFORMS PARENTING IN CHHATTISGARH TRIBAL DISTRICTS
STORIES OF CHANGE
Sulochana Devi, an Anganwadi Worker, leads a community effort to transform a neglected center, highlighting the importance of collective action for children's education.
The Anganwadi Centre in Matutu village in Jharkhand faced dire conditions. Situated in a low-lying area near a highway, it was surrounded by overgrowth and served as a dumping ground for villagers. Adding to the peril, a malfunctioning transformer loomed nearby, emitting sparks intermittently with a menacing buzz.
But once UNICEF Jharkhand and Vikramshila zeroed in on the center and decided to conduct their programme there, Sulochana Devi mobilized locals to clear the area, repair the hazardous transformer, and refurbish the center with her own funds. Sulochana’s quiet resolve highlighted the urgent need for such centers and the importance of community-driven initiatives for their improvement.