Page 1 - Final Lesson-4.pmd

ECCE Policies, Schemes and Programmes in India

Notes
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ECCE POLICIES, SCHEMES AND

PROGRAMMES IN INDIA

Children are the future of our country. They are the responsibility of all the
stakeholders viz. family, community, school and the government. It is well
recognized that survival and development of children are dependent on what is
planned and done for them. Ensuring access by all children to quality care and
early childhood development is a priority. The Governmentof India has initiated
and implemented many policies, schemes and programmes to cater to the welfare
of all children. These initiatives serve as pathways for creating a conducive
environment and facilitating children during their early stages of development
and learning.
In this lesson, you will study some of policies, schemes and programmes that
have been implemented so far for the holistic development and wellbeing of
children.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After studying this lesson, you will be able to:

 explain the need for government initiatives for ECCE;
 discuss major policies related to ECCE; and

 describe various schemes and programmes of ECCE.

4.1 NEED FOR GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES FOR ECCE

All children must have access to opportunities of healthy development and
learning in a safe and conducive environment. Not only in India but the world
over, people have realized the significance of early years in the rapid development
of children in all domains. At the national and international levels, several

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 47