Guidelines For Preschool Education

FOREWORD

Quality early year experiences are crucial for the growth and development of children. Research shows positive impact of quality early learning experiences on school adjustments and learning levels of children in later schooling. During the early years, the child’s brain develops at its fastest pace, social and personal habits are formed quickly, and the foundation is laid for the child’s subsequent all round development in life.

For enhancing the learning levels of students at the elementary education stage, it is essential that all children are provided preschool experiences of good quality. Providing quality preschool education is one of the goals covered under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is vital to invest in these early years by ensuring an emotionally supportive and stimulating play-based environment for every child, which is not only the right of each child but also a way to provide sound foundation for their life.

It is in this context that NCERT has come out with two documents Guidelines for Preschool Education and The Preschool Curriculum to help the teachers, administrators, policy planners and other stakeholders in providing quality preschool education. The guidelines provide the parameters for infrastructure, qualifications and salary of preschool staff, admission process, records and registers to be maintained, monitoring and supervision, and importance of coordination and convergence with community and parents.

The curriculum has been designed for three years of preschool before Class I, which highlights goals, key concepts or skills, pedagogical processes and early learning outcomes for Preschool I, II and III. It also suggests ways of planning a preschool programme, classroom organisation and management, assessment, and building partnership with parents and community.

The documents are result of collective efforts of subject experts, teachers and teacher educators. It is suggestive and can be adopted and adapted by the States, UTs and other stakeholders as per need. The Department of Elementary Education shouldered the responsibility of developing both the documents. The efforts put in by the department are appreciated.

The documents were shared with the SCERTS, State Education Departments and other stakeholders. Their views and suggestions on both the documents were invited. We are thankful to all those who gave their suggestions. We welcome comments and suggestions to bring further improvement in the quality and usability of this document.

Hrushikesh Senapaty

Director

National Council of Educational

Research and Training

New Delhi

October, 2019