Pre School and Elementary Education/RTE Act 2009/NEP 2020

1. Anganwadi Centres:
Early childhood education constitutes the foundational stage of a child’s learning journey and lays the foundation for subsequent education. It is the fundamental stage for a child’s cognitive, social and emotional development. With early childhood recognised as a crucial phase of human development, LEADS works to strengthen pre-school education through Anganwadi Centres, and creating joyful, stimulating, and child-centred learning environments. This approach is aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recognizes the importance of foundational learning and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), including the concept of Bal Vatika.
LEADS promotes experiential learning and learning by doing as an important pedagogical approach for young children, and is strengthened through adequate nutritional support, health services, and opportunities for play and recreation. The organization therefore adopts a holistic approach to early childhood development, integrating education, nutrition, health, protection, and community participation. Over the past five years, LEADS has engaged with more than 10,000 Anganwadi Centres. It has actively contributed through strengthening their infrastructure, improving the availability of age-appropriate learning materials, building the capacities of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and monitoring the quality and functionality of services through structured monitoring mechanisms such as nutrition and food monitoring chart etc.. The organization has also worked in coordination with relevant state departments to strengthen AWC planning and improve service delivery to ensure joyful learning for all children. One of the Government of India’s flagship programme – Mission Vatsalya is a key priority area for LEADS, reflecting its alignment with national policy on child development, care and welfare. A summary of key interventions and achievements is presented below:
• Infrastructure development: More than 400 Anganwadi Centres have been strengthened through improvements such as Bala-themed paintings, provision of desk-benches, installation of televisions and water purifiers, age-appropriate learning materials, and sports equipment. These interventions have helped create a safe, attractive, and stimulating learning environment for children. They have also encouraged children’s participation in play, sports, and experiential learning activities. Collectively, these improvements support the holistic development of children by addressing their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional needs.
• Capacity Building: More than 10,000 Anganwadi Workers have been trained through 75 capacity-building sessions. The programmes have covered AWC planning and management, convergence with government schemes, ECCE, health and nutrition, Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs), the six services of ICDS, centre management, and child growth monitoring. The capacity-building initiatives have strengthened the knowledge and skills of AWWs and promoted their active engagement with children, mothers, and communities in supporting early childhood development.
• Strengthening of Mothers’ Group: The formation and strengthening of mothers’ groups constitute a key component of LEADS intervention strategy. Given the central role of mothers and caregivers in children’s early development, regular group meetings and capacity-building sessions are conducted. The sessions focus on issues related to child nutrition, health, care, and regular attendance at AWCs. Particular attention is also given to pregnant and lactating women recognizing the importance of maternal knowledge and practices in ensuring appropriate nurturing, feeding, and care of young children.
• Village Health, Nutrition and Sanitation Committee (VHSNC): LEADS has supported the organization of more than 10,000 Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) in collaboration with Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and other frontline health workers. These initiatives have benefited more than 70,000 children and mothers through improved access to immunization, maternal and child health services, nutrition counselling, hygiene and sanitation awareness, and community participation.
• Key Stakeholders: LEADS recognizes that sustainable improvements in early childhood development require the active participation and ownership of multiple stakeholders. Accordingly, the organization identifies and engages relevant stakeholders to mobilize institutional support, technical expertise, and resources for children in the 0–6 years age group. Key stakeholders include Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), mothers’ groups, AWWs, Lady Supervisors, Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), Village- and Block-Level Child Protection Committees (VLCPCs/BLCPCs), health workers, ANMs, District Social Welfare Officers (DSWOs), and other relevant line departments involved in community development and child welfare.
• Convergence: Convergence across government departments and programmes is a core principle of LEADS’ approach. By facilitating coordination among sectors such as health, nutrition, education, sanitation, and child protection, LEADS seeks to maximize available resources and strengthen the continuum of services for children aged 0–6 years. This is particularly significant given that approximately 85% of a child’s brain development occur during the first six years of life.
Impacts Created: More than 368 AWCs have been developed as model centres, with improved infrastructure and child-friendly learning environments comparable to quality pre-school settings. Regular attendance, experiential learning, and 100% transition of children from AWCs to primary schools have been achieved. Mothers’ groups actively support children’s nutrition and well-being, while 100% vaccination coverage, regular growth and weight monitoring, and timely referral of malnourished children to MTCs have strengthened health and nutrition outcomes. Community participation has also been enhanced through the celebration of God Bharai, Muh Juthi, Children’s Day, local festivals, and other events, promoting children’s social, cultural, and overall holistic development.
(Abbreviations: ECCE- Childhood Care and Education, CDPO- Child Development Project Officers, ICDS- Integrated Child Development Services, NEP- National Education Policy, VLCPC-Village-Level Child Protection Committees, BLCPC-Block-Level Child Protection Committees, ANM-DSWO- District Social Welfare Officers, VHSNC- Village Health, Nutrition and Sanitation Committee, VHND- Village Health and Nutrition Day, ANM- Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, AWW- Anganwadi Workers)

AK Singh
Managing Trustee and Director
LEADS.