The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme implemented across India, is one of the largest of its kind in the world and aims to support development of children through nutrition assistance, education, and growth monitoring. The scheme has a big umbrella of six services with a main focus on early child health and nutrition and a rather narrow focus on ECE (Early Childhood Education).

During our research, we found that ICDS teachers are busy with other activities and have little time left for teaching. Learning levels at the age of 5 when the child is ready to enter 1st standard and subsequent education gets hampered because of a weak foundation.

This program addresses the gap in learning for the children in the age group of 3-5 years and focuses on making them grade school ready. The program aims to give holistic activity-based learning for the children focusing on basic education, hand-eye coordination, gross and fine motor skills, social skills etc.

Project Details and Impact

• This project provides teachers to 5 Anganwadis in the Shaikpet area for ECE education for the children in the 3-5 year age group. This mixed class of students will be given basic training and exposure to language (Telugu and English), Math, Art, Music and constructive play. The pre-school runs from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm every day.
• This project was started in 2018 and we have seen strong evidence of increased interest in the program that is shown by increase in enrolment to the various centers. The parents are also very happy with the progress of their child and showed their commitment by bringing the children every day to the anganwadi center. Children are also happy to come to ‘school’ and are enjoying the activities. The ICDS department would like us to extend this program to 5 more centers (total of 10 centers) in the year ahead