The NEP 2020 acknowledges early childhood education as the foundational stage for children aged 3 to 8, emphasizing the importance of flexible, play-based, and activity-based learning. Guided by NEP 2020, the NCF 2022 aims to transform ECCE, ensuring equal access to quality education for all children.

Under the theme “Policy to Practice: Navigating the Foundational Stage,” AECED’s conference will provide a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences. It will feature plenary sessions, paper presentations, workshops, and field voices, bringing together experts, educators, policymakers, and advocates to explore innovative strategies for enhancing early childhood education.

The two-day conference is structured around two themes. Theme 1, “From the Most Vulnerable to the Most Valuable – Understanding and Supporting our Children’s Learning and Development,” focuses on exploring factors that influence children’s growth, resilience, and adaptability. Theme 2, “From Transition to Transformation – Linking the Policy to Effective Practices,” aims to integrate indigenous knowledge into pedagogy, fostering identity, critical thinking, and heritage understanding of our culture.

Keynote Speakers and Featured Sessions:

We are honored to host a distinguished lineup of keynote speakers, including Mr. Sonam Wangchuk, Founding Director, Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Leh, Ladakh who will deliver a keynote address on Child in Vibrant India.  The conference will feature a series of

• Pre-conference visit to four organizations in Jaipur, Rajasthan that adopt developmentally appropriate practices.
• Plenary sessions that will focus on
  • Future of ECD in India, major opportunities and challenges and the role of cultural context in ECD
  • Integrating Balvatika class into primary schools, diversity, inclusion and equity and empowering the workforce.
• 10 interactive workshops,
• Panel discussions led by renowned experts in the field on Building Large Scale Capacities for Universal Delivery of ECD,
• Paper/poster presentations to showcase related research in the field and
• Gaining insight by listening to the voices from the field that would exemplify innovative practices.

The conference aims to:

• Recognize and appreciate the diversity of young learners in India.
• Explain the key components of NEP/NCF and their applicability in various settings.
• Identify and address challenges in implementing NEP-aligned qualitative practices.
• Integrate Indian culture and heritage into the foundational stage curriculum and pedagogy.
• Discuss the role of agencies and stakeholders in promoting learning and development.
• Analyze and apply strategies for smooth transitions across foundational stages.

Special Highlights:

Participants will have the chance to:

• Listen to the experts discuss the implementation of NEP 2020 and NCF 2022.
• Engage in interactive workshops and hands-on activities.
• Network with peers and industry leaders.
• Explore an exhibition featuring the latest ECCE resources and technologies.