EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE & EDUCATION ( THEORY )

 Early Childhood in contemporary India                             

1. Concept of Early Childhood Care and Education –its holistic and integrated nature
2. Scope and objectives of ECCE for children from birth to eight years;
3. Different perspective for significance of early childhood: neuro- science perspective, welfare perspective, rights perspective,  economic investment and the criticality of early years in the human life cycle
4. Growing understanding of the need and importance of early stimulation and nature of interventions for optimal growth

Historical review of Early Childhood Education                                

a) Historical review of early childhood education, contribution and philosophies of-Pestallozzi, Commoneius, Froebel, Dewey, Rousseau, Montessori, Gandhi, Tagore, GijuBhaiBadeka, Tarabai-Modak. Aurobindo

b). Principles of program planning, long and short term planning ( daily, weekly, monthly, annual ) , teaching strategies

Play, development and learning in ECCE

Policy & Programmes in ECCE                                                   

1.  Constitutional provisions for the young child with Articles 45
2. Education Commission (1964-66)
3. National policy on education (1986) on ECCE
4. Programme of Action (1992) & ECCE
5. National Curriculum Framework ( 2005)
6. ECCE in Right to Education Act, 2010
7. National Policy on ECCE ( 2013)
8. Commitments to international Conventions and Commitments like Education For All(EFA) , Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
9. ECCE in NAREGA, SSA

Organization and management of ECCE centre                                  

a)    Organizational set up of institution of early childhood education-

1. Site and location
2. Building & infrastructure. .
3. Space allotment for indoor & outdoor activities.
4. Selection of Equipment - principles of selection .
5. Essential skills and competencies for childcare professionals
6.  Records and Registers- types and their uses

2. Cost and financial management- direct, indirect, fix, variables, break even analysis, source of finance.

Issues in ECCE in India                                              

1. Collaborative approach- Home- school relationship- Need, methods, parent involvement and education.
2. School Readiness of children
3. Inadequate importance to ECCE; & gaps in Access and Coverage of ECCE;
4. Quality in ECCE ranging from minimalist approach in ICDS to academic pressures in private sector
5. Capacity Building & collaborative approach with parents, family and community in ECCE.
6. Status and Issues of Teacher education in ECCE ; Lack of Regulation and monitoring.