The recent correspondence on ‘Utilization of Anganwadi services in Rural Population of Kerala’ is an eye opener to the currently prevailing situation [1]. With mushrooming of private kindergartens,which cater to young children before formal schooling, society tends to turn away from the Anganwadi centers. There is an alarming competition in this field, resulting in soliciting of available children, by offering transport, uniform and other privileges. There are other reports of sub-optimum utilization of Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) centers [2]. Qualitative studies should be undertaken to find out the reasons for under utilization and the societal expectations about these centers [1]. However, the solutions seem remote. Hence, it is proposed that the ICDS centers may be remodeled as Early Child Care and Education (ECCE) centers, which is the need of the hour.

ECCE refers to caring for young children from birth to eight years of age, and very early nursey care refers to children up to two years of age. Day-care facilities for infants from 6 months of age will be a big boon for young mothers, who are still perusing education or struggling with employment and parenting. ECCE places strong emphasis on molding physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs. This shall establish a strong foundation for lifelong learning and development. It is the best investment that a nation can make with respect to preparing the future citizens [3]. Care should address health, nutrition and hygiene in a nurturing and safe environment and education should involve play and developmental inputs. Parenting skills and mother-to-child and child-to-child interventions should be undertaken in these centers[3].

Each Anganwadi center should have minimum two teachers and two helpers, supported by ASHA workers and community volunteers. It should become a hub for adolescents as well as pregnant and lactating mothers to reap the benefits of group eating, food supplementation as well as health and nutrition education. If clean surroundings, CCTV monitoring and basic facilities can be provided, the pride and utility of Anganwadi centers can be brought back. Otherwise, soon these unique centers may become extinct, at least in better-performing states like Kerala.

1. Francis P T, Paul N. Utilization of anganwadi services in rural population of Kerala. Indian Pediatr. 2017; 54: 65-66.

2. Sivanesan S, Kumar A, Kulkarni NM, Kamath A, Shetty A. Utilization of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme by child beneficiaries in coastal Karnataka, India. Indian J Community Health. 2016;28:132-8.