Themetic: Early Childhood Development and Education
Partner: The Institute for Fiscal Studies
India is home to over 164 million children under six, and the government recognises the importance of quality early childhood education. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme, led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, delivers early childhood care and education through Anganwadi centres—rural childcare hubs offering non-formal preschool education.
While ICDS has shown positive social and health impacts, many Anganwadi centres lack the resources to provide quality education. In response, Dubai Cares, in partnership with Pratham, supports an ECE programme to ensure disadvantaged children under five receive proper care and stimulation.
Additionally, Dubai Cares is funding a multi-partner research study in three rural districts of Odisha, involving Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Ambedkar University, and the Institute for Fiscal Studies. The study investigates the effectiveness of early interventions, the value of continued ECCE until school age, and the impact of starting early. Conducted with children aged 3–6 through Anganwadi centres, the findings will inform Pratham’s ECE strategy, curriculum design, and understanding of multi-year programming in early childhood development.