Early Learner Assessment (ELA)

The Early Learner Assessment (ELA) tool is a free, open-access resource designed specifically for Early Childhood Education (ECE) professionals — including teachers, researchers, and organizations working with young children aged 3 to 5 years. The tool is a developmental assessment tool developed in the Indian context.

To ensure responsible and effective use, the tool is available only upon request to verified professionals and organizations.

Important Note:

1. The ELA tool is not a disability screening tool.
2. It is not intended for use by parents to assess their wards.
3. It is designed for trained ECE professionals, researchers, and organizations working with the ECCE sector only.

Why request access?

• The ELA is a standardized and performance-based tool requiring appropriate training regarding the administration of the tool and a clear assessment purpose.
• Controlled access prevents misuse and ensures the tool is applied correctly.
• We collect feedback to improve the tool and deepen understanding of early childhood development in India.
• Approved users receive the e‑copy of the tool as a watermarked PDF, delivered securely via email. 

How to request the ELA tool?

• Click on the Online Request Form and complete it with your professional details and intended purpose.
• After verification, you will receive the tool via email.

Share your experience with us!

You will receive a follow-up invitation to provide feedback on your use of the tool, helping us refine and adapt it further. 

For any questions, please contact: ecce@​apu.​edu.​in

Check out this space for a video demonstration of How to use the ELA tool.

Panel discussion | Early Childhood Education and NEP 2020

Reading material

• Karnataka Curricular Framework for the Foundational Stage: https://dwcd.karnataka.gov.in/storage/pdf-files/KSCF_English_March%202023.pdf

• NCF FS: https://​ncert​.nic​.in/​p​d​f​/​N​C​F​_​f​o​r​_​F​o​u​n​d​a​t​i​o​n​a​l​_​S​t​a​g​e​_​2​0​_​O​c​t​o​b​e​r​_​2​0​2​2.pdf

• How to make children understand writing in their early years: https://​azim​premji​u​ni​ver​si​ty​.edu​.in/​n​e​w​s​/​2​0​2​2​/​h​o​w​-​t​o​-​m​a​k​e​-​c​h​i​l​d​r​e​n​-​u​n​d​e​r​s​t​a​n​d​-​w​r​i​t​i​n​g​-​i​n​-​t​h​e​i​r​-​e​a​r​l​y​-​years
• Perspectives on teaching children with disabilities, Learning Curve, Issue 05, December 2019: https://​cdn​.azim​premji​u​ni​ver​si​ty​.edu​.in/​a​p​u​c​3​/​m​e​d​i​a​/​p​u​b​l​i​c​a​t​i​o​n​s​/​d​o​w​n​l​o​a​d​s​/​L​e​a​r​n​i​n​g​-​C​u​r​v​e​-​I​s​s​u​e​-​5​-​D​e​c​-​2​0​1​9.pdf
• Early Childhood Education, Learning Curve, Issue 22, May 2014: https://​cdn​.azim​premji​u​ni​ver​si​ty​.edu​.in/​a​p​u​c​3​/​m​e​d​i​a​/​p​u​b​l​i​c​a​t​i​o​n​s​/​d​o​w​n​l​o​a​d​s​/​L​C​_​I​s​s​u​e​-​2​2​_​M​a​y​-​2​0​1​4​_​E​a​r​l​y​-​c​h​i​l​d​h​o​o​d​-​e​d​u​c​a​t​i​o​n.pdf
• Azim Premji Foundation and Azim Premji University publications: https://​azim​premji​foun​da​tion​.org/​f​i​e​l​d​-​c​o​l​l​e​c​t​i​o​n​/​f​i​e​l​d​-​f​o​u​n​d​a​t​i​o​n​-​a​n​d​-​u​n​i​v​e​r​s​i​t​y​-/919
• Why a teacher does what she does: An analysis of a (math) teacher’s pedagogy: http://​www​.teacher​plus​.org/​w​h​y​-​a​-​t​e​a​c​h​e​r​-​d​o​e​s​-​w​h​a​t​-​s​h​e​-​does/
• Are we doing enough to create the best learning opportunities? https://​www​.dnain​dia​.com/​e​d​u​c​a​t​i​o​n​/​c​o​l​u​m​n​-​a​r​e​-​w​e​-​d​o​i​n​g​-​e​n​o​u​g​h​-​t​o​-​c​r​e​a​t​e​-​t​h​e​-​b​e​s​t​-​l​e​a​r​n​i​n​g​-​o​p​p​o​r​t​u​n​i​t​i​e​s​-​2​2​71151