NGO launches audit tool for preschools, will accredit them

In order to improve quality of curriculum, safety or other developmentally appropriate standards in pre-schools, Early Childhood Association on Saturday launched a comprehensive quality audit tool for preschools, KG and early childhood education centres.

ECA said it wants to form an ECE board and bring all pre-schools under it by giving them affiliation to look after education and training of teachers.

The launch was part of the 6th Annual International Early Childhood Conference, which started on Saturday at The Lalit hotel in Andheri. The topic was “the future of kindergartens and kindergartens of the future”. 

While the actor-activist Shabana Azmi was the chief guest, speakers from Asian countries like Bhutan, Mauritius were in attendance. Nearly 600 people participated in Saturday’s conference.

Among the key discussions of the day was about pre-schools not having any board affiliations.

Dr Swati Popat Vats, president of ECA, said, “The government can still license the schools or take care of the No Objection Certificates requirements of these schools. But curriculum, philosophy and other important aspects can be done by the affiliation/accreditation board of ECA. How all preschools in the US are affiliated with National Association for the Education of Young Children, we would also accredit preschools in India.”