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.
