WCD Ministry introduces national curriculum for early childhood care and education

 

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has introduced a National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education for Children (ECCE) for children from three to Six Years and a National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation for Children from Birth to three years. The National Curriculum for ECCE 2024 covers all domains of development as per the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022 including physical, motor, cognitive, language and literacy. It aims to improve the quality of ECCE transacted at the Anganwadi Centre by prioritising competency-based lesson plans and activities.

The National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation 2024 aims to empower caregivers and Anganwadi Workers for holistic early stimulation, through responsive caregiving and opportunities for early learning. The framework is designed to provide the Anganwadi Worker with a basic understanding of how children grow and develop the importance of brain development and the need for nurturing care.

The Ministry said that the National Institute for Public Cooperation and Child Development will lead the training of Anganwadi functionaries on the new Curriculum and Framework. It said that provisions from both the Curriculum and the Framework will also be included on the Poshan Tracker.