Why I Chose to Invest in the First Six Years of Childhood

When I started working closely with children from migrant and marginalised communities, I noticed something that deeply disturbed me. 

A 10-year-old child is struggling to read basic letters. A 6-year-old is unable to hold a pencil confidently. Bright eyes, immense potential, but no foundation. That was the moment I realised: We are intervening too late! 

Research tells us that nearly 85% of brain development happens before the age of six. Yet, in many underserved communities, early childhood education is treated as optional. Survival comes first. Income comes first. Migration disrupts learning. And children begin formal schooling already left behind. 

This gap is not about intelligence. It is about opportunity. 

Through the AbhiKIDS Care Centre, we focus on: At Abhinandan Educational & Welfare Society, we choose to intervene at the stage that matters most — the foundational years of a child’s life. 

At the AbhiKIDs Care Centre, we prioritise: 

Play-based foundational learning -Emotional and social development -School readiness and enrolment support -Parental counselling and community engagement -Safe spaces for children of migrant workers 

For me, early childhood education is not about teaching children to read earlier. It is about building confidence before comparison begins. It is about nurturing curiosity before pressure replaces it. It is about strengthening foundations before expecting performance. 

When a child receives the right stimulation, nurturing care and consistent encouragement in the early years, the transformation extends far beyond the child; it uplifts families and strengthens entire communities. 

If we truly want inclusive development, we must stop treating early education as charity. It is the most strategic investment we can make. 

I invite partners, educators and corporate leaders to join us in strengthening the first six years because when we invest early, we build futures that are stronger, fairer, and more resilient. 

– Ms Manisha Bhatia, Founder & CEO, Abhinandan Educational & Welfare Society

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