What is an anganwadi and how does it relate to pre-primary education?

By APTTI Educational Content · Updated 2026-10-10 · 2 min read

An anganwadi is a community childcare centre in India run under the government's Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), providing nutrition, health check-ups and pre-school education for children up to 6. NEP 2020 strengthens anganwadis as a key part of ECCE and plans training for anganwadi workers, including a 6-month ECCE certificate for those with 10+2 and above.

What this means in practice

Anganwadis, Balvatika classes in schools and private pre-schools together form India's pre-primary system.

Services

Supplementary nutrition
Immunisation and health check-ups (with health services)
Pre-school education
Health and nutrition education for mothers

Link with schools

NEP 2020 encourages co-locating anganwadis with primary schools and smooth transition to Grade 1.

Anganwadis and pre-primary teachers

Private pre-primary teachers and anganwadi workers often serve the same communities. Understanding how anganwadis work helps you build bridges: children may move between them, and families may use both services. Volunteering or collaborating with local anganwadis through NGOs can share ideas for low-cost play materials and help more children arrive in school ready to learn.

Practical next steps

Visit a local anganwadi if possible.
Read NEP 2020's ECCE chapter.
Explore volunteering opportunities.

ExampleVolunteering at an anganwadi in Bhubaneswar gave Smita ideas for low-cost play materials she later used in her play school.

What to keep in mind: Government training programmes for anganwadi workers are separate from private courses.

Common follow-up questions

Who runs anganwadis?

State governments under the Ministry of Women and Child Development's schemes.

Can private pre-primary teachers work in anganwadis?

Anganwadi workers are appointed under government rules.

Sources

Course facts from APTTI's published course pages, checked 10 October 2026. Editorial policy.