By the time a child reaches school age, most key brain wiring, language ability and cognitive foundations have been set in place. The early years are critical in the formation of intelligence, personality, social behaviour and physical development.

It is therefore imperative that a child receives the care and attention she needs to develop as a full human being. In an ideal world, this would be provided by the family and extended society, but this is not an ideal world and the aanganwadi can be a good substitute.