The PG Diploma is a professional programme which aims to enhance the knowledge base and competencies of professionals and educators who engage with children from birth to eight years in preschools, pre-primary sections, early primary grades (Classes 1 and 2) and ECCE centres.

The NEP, 2020, has given explicit recognition to the period of birth to eight years as the period for Early Childhood Care and Education and has called this period as the Foundation of Learning. Globally, it has been recognized that the period of early childhood comprises the period from birth to 8 years instead of birth to 6 years (UNESCO and UNICEF, 2012). Structurally, the NEP has clubbed the period from 3 to 8 years as the Foundational Stage of Education, which is sub-divided into three years of preschool education and two years of early primary education in classes 1 and 2. There is developmental continuity in the period of birth to eight years in various developmental domains. Also, in terms of pedagogical principles underlying planning and transacting learning experiences, the play-based and activity-based approaches of the preschool years need to be continued into the early primary grades, specifically classes 1 and 2. Thus, this programme is uniquely poised to address the potential articulated in the NEP, 2020 by focusing on preschool years and primary grades (class 1 and 2). Besides, addressing the early stimulation and early learning needs of children in birth to 3 years age group also remains an area of focus of this PG Diploma programme. Another unique feature of the programme is the combination of developmental domains approach and the subject-based approach in planning learning experiences for the children up to 8 years of age.

The programme is relevant for a wide range of people working with children up to eight years of age in various educational settings in various roles such as Teacher Educators, Supervisors, Curriculum developers, In-service teachers in preschools and early primary grades (classes 1 and 2). Child care workers, Functionaries working in the area of ECCE as well as Caregivers of young children will also find the programme useful.

Objectives
• To increase awareness regarding the rationale and nature of Early Childhood Care and Education and the Foundational Stage of Education.
• To provide learning experiences that will prepare the students for effective participation in different areas of Early Childhood Care and Education and Foundational Stage Education in varied contexts such as crèches, preschools, and early primary classes.
• To provide opportunities to functionaries and teachers working in the sector to critically examine their practice and enhance it, by exposing them to the developmental and pedagogical basis of designing early development, learning and educational experiences.
• To make the discourse of Early Childhood Care and Education and the Foundational Stage of Education available to a wider section of society.