Our Objectives
- Support National Early Childhood Development Initiatives
We aim to support the Government of Sri Lanka, relevant ministries, provincial councils, district and divisional-level government institutions, and other responsible authorities in implementing initiatives that improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of early childhood care and development services.
- Strengthen Collaboration Among ECCD Organisations
We encourage collaboration among professional associations, preschool teachers’ organisations, early childhood development networks, foundations, NGOs, community-based organisations and other stakeholders. We aim to help these organisations strengthen their capacities, share knowledge, establish partnerships and achieve their respective objectives.
- Promote Professional Development
We seek to provide opportunities for preschool teachers, early childhood educators, centre managers, preschool owners and childcare professionals to enhance their knowledge, practical skills, professional competencies and leadership capabilities through training, workshops, seminars, online learning and other professional development programmes.
- Improve the Quality of Preschools and ECCD Centres
We support preschools, early childhood development centres and daycare centres in strengthening their institutional capacities, improving teaching and learning practices, developing effective management systems and adopting child-centred approaches to early learning and care.
- Promote Quality Standards and Best Practices
We encourage the adoption of appropriate quality standards, effective teaching methodologies, inclusive education practices, safe learning environments and evidence-informed approaches that contribute to children’s holistic development.
- Encourage Research, Innovation and Knowledge Sharing
We aim to facilitate research, educational innovation, the exchange of best practices and the dissemination of useful knowledge among ECCD practitioners and institutions to improve the quality of early childhood education and care in Sri Lanka.
- Empower Early Childhood Educators
We recognise the vital contribution of preschool teachers and early childhood educators to national development. We seek to support their professional growth, recognition, networking, leadership development and access to continuing education opportunities.
- Promote Equal Opportunities for Every Child
We advocate for accessible, inclusive and quality early childhood care and development opportunities for all children, regardless of their geographical location, socioeconomic background, language, ability or family circumstances.
- Build National and International Partnerships
We aim to establish partnerships with national and international foundations, universities, professional associations, educational institutions, development agencies and other organisations to introduce innovative practices, expand professional opportunities and strengthen Sri Lanka’s ECCD sector.
We invite government institutions, professional associations, preschool teachers’ organisations, ECCD centres, daycare providers, educational institutions, development partners and individuals committed to children’s well-being to collaborate with us.
Together, let us strengthen the early childhood care and development sector and create a brighter future for the children of Sri Lanka.
Collaborative Projects
“Collaboration and the sharing of best practices are the most effective strategies to usher in a new era in the ECCD sector in Sri Lanka.”
Start to learn on STREAM Education
Get Ready to upgrade your competencies
Education is totally free
Start to get international qualification growing as internationally qualified teacher
Kids learn by doing
Sharing classroom works with global community
How kids at home
We invite parents to showcase how their child is SMART at home.
Teachers Performance
Sharing best practices
Honoring Excellence
Getting honor on International women's day
Showcase your creativity, innovations, talents, and outstanding performance with the global community.
ECCD Teachers’ Area to Share Best Practices
Children’s Area to showcase Performance
ECCD Teachers’ Professional Networks and Academic Performance
Transform your Preschool to Digitalize ECCD Center
SMART in SMART ECCD Center often means:
- S – Smart Learning: Using interactive and activity-based learning instead of only traditional teaching.
- M – Modern Technology: Use of digital tools such as tablets, smart boards, educational apps, and multimedia content.
- A – Active Learning: Encouraging children to learn through play, exploration, creativity, and hands-on activities.
- R – Responsive Teaching: Teachers adapt lessons based on each child’s needs, progress, and learning style.
- T – Transformational Environment: Creating a safe, engaging, and child-centered environment that supports holistic development.
Vision
To transform early childhood education in Sri Lanka into a technology-enabled, inclusive, and child-centered SMART learning ecosystem that ensures holistic development of every child.
Mission
To integrate STREAM education, digital tools, modern pedagogy, and stakeholder collaboration into ECCD centers nationwide, ensuring quality, equity, and continuous improvement through a unified national platform.
We invite all Sri Lankan ECCD teachers to collaborate in transforming ECCD centers into SMART ECCD Centers, while elevating the quality of services and the teaching–learning process to align with national and international standards.
Core Concept: “SMART ECCD Framework”
S – Systematic Learning Standards
National ECCD curriculum aligned with child development stages Standardized learning outcomes across all centers Competency-based early learning framework
M – Modern Technology Integration
Digital classrooms (smart boards, tablets, learning apps) ECCD Learning Management System (LMS) Child digital portfolios and progress tracking AI-assisted learning analytics (future phase)
A – Active & Play-Based Learning
Learning through play, exploration, creativity, storytelling STREAM activities (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Outdoor and experiential learning models
R – Responsive Teaching & Assessment
Continuous child assessment system (not exam-based) Teacher dashboards for individualized learning support Parent feedback and progress alerts Early identification of learning needs
T – Transformational Collaboration
Strong partnership between: ECCD teachers Parents Government institutions Universities and training institutes International ECCD organizations National knowledge-sharing network
Sri Lanka ECCD Foundation supports to ECCD centers in Sri lanka to transform their Preschools as digitalized ECCD centers with modern technology. It will support to all ECCD organizations, training institutes, educators, preschool centres, and other stakeholders to promote quality early childhood education and development across the country.
Approved ECCD Training Institutes in Sri Lanka
The National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development (NSECD) is the national government institution responsible for promoting, coordinating, and regulating Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) in Sri Lanka. It operates under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and serves as the focal agency for ensuring the holistic development of children from birth to five years of age.
The Secretariat is responsible for formulating, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating national policies, programmes, and standards related to early childhood development. Its mission is to ensure that every child in Sri Lanka receives quality care, education, health, nutrition, protection, and opportunities for optimal development during the most critical years of life.
The National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development has registered institutes that conduct diploma courses related to early childhood education in Sri Lanka. Anyone wishing to work as an Early Childhood Development teacher or preschool teacher in Sri Lanka must be registered with the Provincial Early Childhood Development Authorities/Units in the relevant province.
To register, teachers are required to possess a diploma certificate from an institute approved by the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development.
If you are planning to follow a diploma course related to early childhood education in order to become a preschool teacher or Early Childhood Development teacher, you should select one of the approved institutes.
If you choose any other institute to follow diploma courses, its certificates may not be accepted by the Provincial Early Childhood Development Authorities for registration as a preschool teacher.
Click here to obtain list of approved institutes and their details.
Join Us in Strengthening Early Childhood Development
We invite government institutions, professional associations, preschool teachers’ organisations, ECCD centres, daycare providers, educational institutions, development partners and individuals committed to children’s well-being to collaborate with us.
Together, let us strengthen the early childhood care and development sector and create a brighter future for the children of Sri Lanka.
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