Maharashtra’s new initiative mandates the registration of private pre-schools for enhanced quality and transparency in early childhood education | Representational image
Mumbai: The state government has issued a directive mandating the registration of all private pre-schools catering to children aged 3 to 6 years. The initiative seeks to build a centralised database of private institutions and bridge a longstanding information gap in the sector.
Currently, early education for children in this age group is delivered through a combination of government-run Anganwadis and Balwadis, as well as a broad network of private centres operating under various titles such as Nursery, Junior KG, Senior KG, and Pre-Primary Classes. While government centres are monitored by the Department of Women and Child Development, private pre-schools have largely operated without comprehensive documentation or oversight.
To address this, the state has launched a ‘Pre-School Registration Portal’, requiring all private centres to register within seven days of the circular’s issuance. The portal will collect key data on each institution, including management structure, student enrollment, staffing, and infrastructure.
A senior official from the School Education Department emphasised the importance of the move: “This initiative is a vital step towards ensuring quality, safe, and inclusive early childhood education. A centralised registry will not only help the government enforce standards and plan better but also empower parents with verified information when choosing a school for their child.”
The directive aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), which introduced the 5+3+3+4 school structure. The first five years—comprising three years of pre-primary and two years of early primary education—form the foundational stage, a period recognised as critical for a child’s cognitive and emotional development.
This measure also supports the State Curriculum Framework – Foundation Stage (SCFFS), developed in accordance with the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCFFS). By bringing private pre-schools into the regulatory fold, the state aims to ensure consistency in the quality of early education across all institutions.
Authorities have urged all private early education providers to comply promptly with the registration requirement, underlining that this system will play a pivotal role in enhancing transparency, accountability, and access to early learning opportunities for all children.
