Exploring Indian Parents' Perceptions of Early Childhood Care and Education in Two Cities of India
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| Title: | Exploring Indian Parents' Perceptions of Early Childhood Care and Education in Two Cities of India |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Varun Sharma (ORCID |
| Source: | International Journal of Early Years Education. 2026 34(1):121-138. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 18 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Early Childhood Education Preschool Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Parent Attitudes, School Choice, Educational Quality, Decision Making, Preschool Education, Child Care Centers, Public Schools, Private Schools, Slums, Child Development |
| Geographic Terms: | India |
| DOI: | 10.1080/09669760.2025.2471291 |
| ISSN: | 0966-9760 1469-8463 |
| Abstract: | The early stages of childhood are of utmost importance in terms of development and learning, thus making it crucial to invest in the provision of care and education during this period. An early childhood care and development facility is a crucial initial step in a child's learning trajectory. It sets the foundation for their future learning experiences. However, the selection of a facility by parents is influenced by their perceptions and attitudes. This paper explores parental perceptions and decision-making processes when selecting an education facility for their child. We conducted interviews with 297 parents of children aged 3-6 years in Delhi and Greater Mumbai, India. The results indicate that parents' perception of 'good education' differs considerably from the discourse prevalent in the academic domain. They tend to equate the quality of education solely with English-medium instruction. Furthermore, the study reveals that parents are generally unaware of the substantive content encompassed in preschool education, leading to its absence in their decision-making processes. The findings suggest that the lack of understanding of developmentally appropriate early childhood education among parents is a significant deterrent to ensuring the right kind of pre-school education, and hence efforts should be made to bridge this gap. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1504026 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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