Aarambh for ECD – Early Moments Matter

1-ResponsiveCaregiving

2-Nutrition

3-PlayCommunication

5-SafetySecurity

Our Aim

To empower families, caregivers, and the community for nourishing and nurturing young bodies and brains of 0-3 years of children.

#EarlyMomentsMatter

Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower families and communities to nurture children aged 0-3 by promoting good health, nutrition, responsive caregiving, safety, and early learning. Through participatory and joyful learning, and in collaboration with government systems and stakeholders, we strive to ensure every child reaches their full potential.

Vision

We envision a society where every child thrives, supported by empowered caregivers, engaged communities, and responsive systems that prioritize early childhood development. By fostering lasting social norms that promote play, communication, and nourishment, we aim to ensure no child is left behind.

Our Philosophy

We believe in the magic that a happy, healthy, and playful early childhood creates in laying the foundation for a child’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development. Our community-centered, participatory approach empowers caregivers and frontline workers to provide responsive, loving care while recognizing the unique strengths and needs of each family and community.

Responsive Caregiving

Nutrition

Early Learning

Health

Safety & Security

Overview

The framework for Nurturing care for Early Childhood Development, released by the World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund, and World Bank, provides a road map for action for helping children survive and thrive to transform health and human potential. It outlines the importance of the earliest years, from pregnancy to age 3 years, as the window of opportunity when the brain grows faster than at any other time. From 2010, the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, in partnership with the Integrated Child Development Scheme and Health department, has been implementing various programs for nurturing care pilot and scale-up basis.

‘AARAMBH’

In low and middle-income countries, 43% of under-fives are at risk of suboptimal development and stunted growth…

Child Development

Right from conception to the first three years of life, the child’s brain grows very rapidly…

Expansion

The Department of WCD and Health has now taken the decision to implement the AARAMBH initiative in the entire state of Maharashtra.

Reach

Trained Master Trainers in Maharashtra

Trained Supervisors at District Level

Trained Aanganwadi Workers

Districts Started AARAMBH Program

Reach of Aarambh Model within and beyond India

Testimonials

It was realized that the role of the father, along with the mother is very important in taking care of the child and meeting their basic needs (diet, health, hygiene, games and communication).

For years, we have been working on the nutrition and health of the mother and child. However, the Aarambh project has given us the right direction to work and it has benefited tremendously in this field.

I play ‘pony-up’ with the children at home, introduce them to household items. I bathe them, feed them, put them to sleep, and also take them for walks. My life has become very happy as I do these things with my children.

I learned how to use household items that are readily available, as toys. I realized that there is no need for any expensive toys for baby care.

I used to feel gloomy and tired while visiting the Anganwadi. However, once the Aarambh project started, it totally rejuvenated me! From my own experience, I realized that to make great changes, one must simply begin.