Early Childhood Care and Development

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PROJECT REPORT:

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT

An evaluation of the operational differences between Anganwadi centres runs by Mahita and the Government

Submitted by

Nithish S

Roll no: E050

SAP Id: 80101140541

Date: 27th February, 2015

PREFACE

Children in the age group of 0-6 years experience the most rapid period of growth and change during the human lifespan. Their maturing minds and bodies and nervous systems support increasing mobility, communication skills, intellectual capacities, socio emotional development, and cultural and personal identity. These changes result in rapid shifts in the kinds of supports young children require.

Mahita along with Plan India has contributed effectively towards ECCD program and are planning to expand the reach of its services. This report is an evaluation of the operational differences between Anganwadi centres runs by Mahita and the Government in Hyderabad. It also contains recommendations to improve the present services. Additionally, the report describes the efforts under taken by Mahita to expand their services across the city.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank Mr. Ramesh Sekhar Reddy for accepting me as an intern and the We Care team for their part in placing me in the institution. Ms. Krupa Neiny has guided me throughout the project. Asst. Prof. Smita Mazumdar, my faculty mentor has been a constant source of support in my endeavour. I would also like to extend my gratitude to all the co-ordinators, accounting and field staff members of the organization for their assistance at different stages of the project.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Early childhood care and development focuses on supporting young children’s development. Early childhood encompasses the period of human development from prenatal through the transition from home or ECCD centre into the early primary grades (prenatal – 8 years of age).It includes health, nutrition, education, social science, economics, child protection and social welfare. The ECCD field strives to ensure young children’s overall well-being during the early years, providing also the foundation for the development of adults who are healthy, socially and environmentally responsible, intellectually competent, and economically productive.

However, the same services provided to the children by the government of India under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme which are present in each and every corner of the country have many shortcomings at the ground level. This report is a snapshot of ECCD scheme by Plan India along with Mahita, the ICDS scheme undertaken by the Government of India and the different activities under each scheme. As part of the internship, these activities were analysed and evaluated. Based on this, recommendations have been made to implement a more efficient system. Additionally, the report also highlights the learning from the project.