It is evident that 85% of brain development occurs during the first five years of life and a caring and stimulating environment during early years is crucial for holistic development of children. There is a relationship between attending a quality pre-school and achievements in primary school & beyond. The New Education Policy 2020 also lays emphasis on Early Child Care & Education (ECCE) and development by including a play-based multi-faceted curric- ulum. The universalization of ECCE will lay the foundation for the development of every child and will be able to honour unique skill-sets at an early age. The NEP 2020 gives much-needed focus to Early Child Care & Education (ECCE) with new plans to integrate the best possible national and international practices. Inclusion of play-based and activi- ty-based learning for children between the ages of 0-8 with a focus on Music & Movement, Arts and Crafts, Cognitive, Language, Social and Emotional Development and other stimu- lating activities is a positive step among early childhood educators. Looking at the impor- tance of Early years as given in NEP 2020, this course is designed in such a way to produce trained ECCE professionals to fulfil the requirement of Pre-School Institutions.
This course is designed to develop correct concept about child development, child psychology, and overall personality development during early years. More weightage is given to practi- cal where students will learn teaching, learning and managerial skills. The curriculum is planned keeping in the mind practical aspects of dealing with children, understanding them and handling them. The program is designed in such a way that the students may get job opportunities in the pre-schools, government, non-government and voluntary organizations as well as may start their own entrepreneurial venture.