Transforming early childhood care and education, Pg 10.

Key Highlights:

• NEP 2020 mandates universalisation of ECCE by 2030, targeting children aged 3–6 years.
• Government schools are being equipped with Balvatika (preschool) classes, expanding public ECCE infrastructure.
• States/UTs are using the Samagra Shiksha budget for establishing preschool classes, though unevenly.
• Rising preference for schools over Anganwadis is triggering migration of 4–6-year-olds.
• Shift of focus towards home-based care for 0–3-year-olds via home visits by Anganwadi workers.
• The ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi’ initiative aims to integrate nutrition and education in Anganwadi services.
• Concerns raised about ‘schoolification’ of preschooling, risking play-based learning.

Detailed Insights:

• Structural Expansion:
  • ECCE infrastructure is transitioning from a static Anganwadi system (14 lakh centres) to dynamic government school-led preschooling.
  • This requires training, recruitment, and deployment of qualified ECCE educators.
• Shift in Parental Preferences:
  • Parents prefer schools for perceived better education, resulting in Anganwadi underutilisation.
  • This alters the traditional role of Anganwadis from educational hubs to auxiliary care centres.
• Reorientation of Anganwadi Role:
  • A strategic policy opportunity exists to refocus Anganwadis on 0–3-year-olds and maternal care.
  • Home visits, shown to be effective in international and Indian studies, can bridge developmental gaps in early years.
• Implementation Gaps:
  • Despite policy intent, many States have underutilised Samagra Shiksha provisions.
  • Anganwadi workers remain overburdened, limiting the efficacy of the proposed reorientation.

Concepts Involved:

• ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education): Integrated approach covering nutrition, health, and learning needs of children aged 0–6 years.
• Balvatika: Preschool classes introduced under NEP for 3–6-year-old children in government schools.
• Home Visits: Evidence-based method in ECCE to deliver individualised developmental support during early years.
• Schoolification: A phenomenon where formal academic instruction displaces play-based early learning, often deemed counterproductive in preschool education.