Abstract:
Early childhood care and education (ECCE) was given a place of importance in National Policy on Education 1986 in the context of all round development of child and in achieving the goals of universalization of elementary education (UEE). Since then there has been appreciable increase in the number of ECCE centres both in Government and non-Government sectors. There is a growing realization in the world today, particularbin the developing countries, that Investment in human, resource development is the key to the progress and societal health of any nation. In view ofthe fact therefore that human development. In essentially cumulative in nature and that the rate of development is highest in the first six years of life, the early childhood years become critical for all subsequent development of the personalty. Our own Indian scpriptures consider this period to be important for Instilling the "sarfkaras" in the child and advocate 'Iaiayat' or an affection filled, indulgent child rearing at this stage as againt 'tadayat' or a rigid discipline advocated for the next stage of development.
