ROLE OF ECCE IN LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) plays a pivotal role in laying the foundation for lifelong learning. It focuses on holistic development—cognitive, physical, socio-emotional, and linguistic—during the most critical years of brain development. This paper examines the role of ECCE in establishing strong educational foundations, highlighting its importance in achieving foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) and in supporting future learning trajectories. The research draws from policy frameworks such as India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and relevant global perspectives. It analyses how play-based learning, inclusive practices, teacher preparedness, and parental involvement contribute to effective ECCE implementation. The findings underscore that well-structured ECCE programs not only improve school readiness but also positively influence long-term academic and life outcomes.