There is increasing recognition around the world of the importance of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD). Research conclusively shows that early childhood is a period of extraordinary brain development that is heavily shaped and sculpted by experiences and the environment, and that these early experiences create a foundation for lifelong learning and productivity. Millions of underprivileged children in India are at risk of not reaching their full potential because they suffer from the negative consequences of poverty, nutritional deficiencies, and inadequate learning opportunities, causing an overall ‘development deficit”.

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme is the world’s largest community-based programme with over 1 million Anganwadi (rural day-care) centres across India. The scheme aims to provide an integrated package of services for young children and mothers, including immunisation, supplementary nutrition, referral services, health check-ups, and pre-school education (PSE) comprising of a learning environment for children aged 3 to 6 years as well as early care and stimulation for children under the age of 3.

BMRF launched an ECCD project in the rural communities of Gummidipoondi and Ellapuram blocks in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu in 2014 under a CSR financial partnership with Michelin India Private Limited initially targeted at providing training and support to enhance the quality of educational inputs in the Anganwadi centres (AWCs). Since its launch, the project has steadily evolved from centre-based to home and community-based interventions to promote holistic child development from birth to 6 years, create awareness and advocacy for positive parenting practices and build community engagement and ownership.