The ECCD initiatives being undertaken as part of the project aim to facilitate holistic development of children and their transition to school. With regular monitoring, awareness and care it is hoped that child’s development is not compromised. The programmes have aimed at increased awareness of the role preschool education, nutrition, immunisation in general and aanganwadis in particular. 65% of children below 6 years in the Basti are now accessing either a government run aanganwadi or a private pre-school.

Physical spaces in all the aanganwadis were poor to start with, being severely constrained by the below market rate rents offered by the Department of Women and Child Physical development. Upgrading and improvement of four aanganwadi’s has involved significant changes to improve the learning environment. Two aanganwadis have been shifted into improved rented accommodations and the principal ‘Mother and Child Health centre which serves as the demonstration site has also undergone major renovation. The improved physical spaces at these seven centres have positively impacted the quality of education.