The Association for Early Childhood Education and Development (AECED) is a national body registered in 2008 with its registered office at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. It was formerly known as the Indian Association for Preschool Education (IAPE). IAPE was established in 1964 with the intention of bringing together professionals in the field of early childhood education in the interest of the young child. It was instrumental in empowering concerned adults in creating a joyful childhood for each and every child through professional development workshops and refresher courses for preschool teachers. Considering the diverse demands of the fast-paced socio-economic changes and increasing aspirations of parents and teachers in varied settings, it was imperative to extend the scope of the organization’s efforts for the young child. So in 2008 IAPE came into a new avatar, ASSOCIATION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT (AECED).

AECED is a network of individuals and organisations with a mission to promote quality early childhood development through a network of committed skilled professionals as well as aware, caring and sensitive families. AECED National engages in influencing policy at the national level and also organising national conferences providing though leadership on ECCE focused topical issues. Acknowledging the need to work more concertedly with practitioners, it currently has two active branches in Mumbai and Chennai which are vibrant in their repertoire of seminars, workshops, state policy inputs and varied advocacy initiatives. It is in the process of starting three more branches in different geographies of the country as well. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AECED and its branches continued their guidance and advocacy through practice based webinars and expert led panel discussions especially for ECD administrators, teachers and parents. AECED also released its “Position Statement for In-person reopening of Early Childhood Care and Education settings – Wait, Watch, Prepare, Respond”.