services and support systems to communities and families to meet the needs of their young children. For the sake of convenience and for purposes of programming and institutional location, ECCE can be divided into three substages: birth to 2+, 3 to 5+, and 6 to 8+. Each substage can be located in a different institutional setting. In the Executive Summary, global perspective of early childhood is given in the following manner: A Global Perspective on Early Childhood The first 6 to 8 years of a child's life are globally acknowledged to be the most critical years for lifelong development since the pace of development in these years is extremely rapid. Recent research in the field of neuroscience, particularly on the brain, has provided convincing evidence of the 'critical periods' located within these early years for the forming of synaptic connections in the brain and for the full development of the brain's potential. Research has also indicated that if these early years are not supported by, or embedded in, a stimulating and enriching physical and psychological environment, the chances of the child's brain developing to its full potential are considerably, and often irreversibly, reduced. This stage in life is also important as a foundation for the inculcation of social values and personal habits, which are known to last a lifetime. What follows logically is the crucial importance of investing in these early years to ensure an enabling environment for every child, and thereby a sound foundation for life, which is not only the right of every child but which will also impact, in the long term, the quality of human capital available to a country. Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) derives its importance from this rationale. This Executive Summary also emphasize major policy shifts before curricular reforms are discussed. In respect of ECCE, the policy paradigm which needs to be changed is stated as under: Value of ECCE: The first step is the recognition and acceptance that ECCE is a vital developmental need of all children, and that every child has a right to ECCE of equitable quality. ECCE must be the first step in the educational ladder and should be a part of Education for All (EFA). DEE & L must take responsibility for all programmes for children 3+, and DWCD for all programmes for children below 3 years." Curriculum framework for ECCE is mentioned as under: Curriculum Framework for ECCE: The three broad objectives of ECCE are:
services and support systems to communities and families to meet the needs of their young children. For the sake of convenience and for purposes of programming and institutional location, ECCE can be divided into three substages: birth to 2+, 3 to 5+, and 6 to 8+. Each substage can be located in a different institutional setting. In the Executive Summary, global perspective of early childhood is given in the following manner: A Global Perspective on Early Childhood The first 6 to 8 years of a child's life are globally acknowledged to be the most critical years for lifelong development since the pace of development in these years is extremely rapid. Recent research in the field of neuroscience, particularly on the brain, has provided convincing evidence of the 'critical periods' located within these early years for the forming of synaptic connections in the brain and for the full development of the brain's potential. Research has also indicated that if these early years are not supported by, or embedded in, a stimulating and enriching physical and psychological environment, the chances of the child's brain developing to its full potential are considerably, and often irreversibly, reduced. This stage in life is also important as a foundation for the inculcation of social values and personal habits, which are known to last a lifetime. What follows logically is the crucial importance of investing in these early years to ensure an enabling environment for every child, and thereby a sound foundation for life, which is not only the right of every child but which will also impact, in the long term, the quality of human capital available to a country. Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) derives its importance from this rationale. This Executive Summary also emphasize major policy shifts before curricular reforms are discussed. In respect of ECCE, the policy paradigm which needs to be changed is stated as under: Value of ECCE: The first step is the recognition and acceptance that ECCE is a vital developmental need of all children, and that every child has a right to ECCE of equitable quality. ECCE must be the first step in the educational ladder and should be a part of Education for All (EFA). DEE & L must take responsibility for all programmes for children 3+, and DWCD for all programmes for children below 3 years." Curriculum framework for ECCE is mentioned as under: Curriculum Framework for ECCE: The three broad objectives of ECCE are: