Significance of ECCE

Early childhood is a time of remarkable growth with brain development at its peak.
Over 85% of a child’s cumulative brain development occurs prior to the age of 6, indicating the critical importance of appropriate care and stimulation of the brain in a child’s early years for healthy brain development and growth.
It is, therefore of the utmost importance that every child has access to quality early childhood care and education (ECCE).
The overall aim of ECCE will be to attain optimal outcomes in the domains of physical and motor development, cognitive development, socio-emotional-ethical development, cultural/artistic development, and the development of communication and early language, literacy, and numeracy.
It also includes a focus on developing social capacities, sensitivity, good behaviour, courtesy, ethics, personal and public cleanliness, teamwork and cooperation.
These years lay the foundations for her/ his learning and holistic development.
Children will be better prepared for primary school and will reach better education outcomes.
Quality ECCE also helps reduce repetition and drop-out rates.
Positive outcomes are even more pronounced among children from vulnerable groups.
It helps promote human resource development, gender equality and social cohesion, and to reduce the costs for later remedial programmes.
An overview of 56 studies across 23 countries found impacts on health, education, cognitive ability, and emotional development.