Synopsis Early childhood care and education (ECCE) refers to a wide range of programmes, all aimed at the physical, cognitive and social development of children before they enter primary school- theoretically from birth to about age 7 or 8. It is a diverse area of learning ranges from formal pre-primary education, which is integrated with the national education system, via kindergartens where care, play And education are all include, to more informal and often home-based activities. ECCE comprises all the essential supports a young child needs to survive and thrive in life, as well as the supports a family and community need to promote children’s healthy development. This includes integrating health, nutrition, and intellectual stimulation, providing the opportunities for exploration and active learning, as well as providing the social and emotional care and nurturing a child needs in order to relies her/his human potential and play an active role in their families and later in their communities. The current trends in the field of early childhood care and education is elaborately discussed in the present volume. It is hoped that this work will be an essential reading for all those concerned with the care, education and development of children.