This volume makes a comprehensive assessment of the status and quality of early educational
experiences at preschool and early primary grades in India. It raises a serious concern that
despite high enrolment in preschools children's school readiness levels remain low at ages
five and six and raises a vital question---are Indian children getting a sound foundation for
school and for later life? It addresses three important issues from the Indian perspective:
children's school readiness at age five families' readiness for school and most importantly
the readiness of schools for children. India is one of many countries across the global South
facing an early learning crisis. High quality early childhood education may be key to improving
these outcomes for children yet little is known about early childhood education programs in
India and their impact on children's school readiness. This volume is based on a longitudinal
mixed methods research study which is perhaps the first of its kind in India. The study covers
public provisions along with steadily expanding private pre-schools and schools in rural India
and provides interesting narratives and insights into the multiple pathways children are
adopting in these critical early years particularly in the context of the expanding role of
the private sector. Written in a lucid and narrative style this volume is of interest to a
diverse readership of researchers educationists and early childhood education policy makers
and practitioners in terms of both its design and findings.
