About the session

As Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in India expands beyond classroom teaching into areas such as research, curriculum development, leadership, and system-level roles, questions of professional preparedness, depth, and credibility have become increasingly important.

This webinar is structured as a dialogue between practitioners at different points in their professional journeys. Jigisha Shastri, Visiting Faculty at Azim Premji University, brings over four decades of experience in Early Childhood Education, spanning practice, research, and institutional work. She is in conversation with Garima Gupta, Faculty at Azim Premji University, whose perspective reflects the questions, uncertainties, and aspirations of professionals in the early and middle years of engagement with the field.

This intergenerational dialogue offers a textured view of how ECCE has evolved over time, what enduring challenges remain, and what it truly takes to work effectively across diverse roles and contexts in the sector.

Drawing on field realities, the conversation will surface common gaps faced by practitioners, whether in developing a deep understanding of child development, engaging meaningfully with policy, working across varied institutional and community settings, or translating theory into practice. It will also reflect on how sustained academic study and professional learning can strengthen professional capacity, confidence, and judgment.

Participants will be encouraged to think more clearly about their own professional growth and preparedness in ECCE, and to consider the role that advanced study such as a Master’s programme in Early Childhood Education can play in supporting meaningful, long-term engagement with the field.

Who should attend?

This session is open to final-year undergraduate students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals who are interested in working in the field of Early Childhood Education. It will be especially relevant for practitioners currently working with young children, professionals in schools, NGOs, or education programmes, and those exploring postgraduate study in Early Childhood Education to deepen their knowledge, strengthen professional credibility, or transition into roles beyond classroom teaching, such as research, curriculum development, leadership, or system-level work.

For any questions, please write to admissions@​apu.​edu.​in.