EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION IN ANGANWADI CENTRES OF KHANTAPARA, A CRITICAL STUDY",

Abstract

Early childhood, defined as the period from birth to eight years old, it is a time of remarkable growth with brain development at its peak. During this stage,children are highly influenced by the environment and the people that surround them. Early childhood care and education (ECCE) is more than preparation for pnrnary school. It aims at the holistic development of a child's social,emotional,cognitive and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and well being. ECCE has the possibility to nurture caring, capable and responsible future citizens. The concept of ECCE is of recent origin in India. It did not find any mention in the educational literature till the formulation of the National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986. It has used the nomenclature of ECCE for the stage preceding elementary education.