Globally, while we now have much information on ‘why’ early care and education is important and ‘why’ it is important to invest in it, we are still seeking answers to ‘how’ can we best provide early care and education (Early Childhood Matters, 2018). We feel the first step is to understand the Education/ Child Development system as a whole. By adopting a systemic lens we can possibly see what components of the system are fostering and hindering the mission of the system.

Based on the FCL team’s collective experience and understanding of large-scale systems such as the ICDS and Education, little attention has been paid to the role of purpose and people management in the performance of government systems.  Our aim is therefore to create a work culture in public child development and education systems that integrates personal growth (including purpose) and relational skills along with child development and pedagogical knowledge, as well as implementation skills, across all levels of the organization.

These four critical components of our program are discussed below:

Personal growth involves having a clear purpose, feeling fulfilled in one's professional role, having a sense of agency, and being resilient.

• We believe that a strong sense of purpose is essential for public officials to fully commit to their work. Purpose refers to having a sense of direction and meaning in one's life, driven by a clear understanding of one's values, passions, and goals. It involves identifying what matters most to you and aligning your actions and decisions with your overarching sense of purpose. Individuals with a strong sense of purpose are motivated, resilient, and able to find fulfillment and satisfaction in their pursuits, both personally and professionally.
• Agency is the capacity to take meaningful action and exert control over one's own life circumstances. It involves recognizing one's power to make choices, set goals, and influence outcomes, even in the face of challenges or constraints. Individuals with a strong sense of agency are proactive, empowered, and able to navigate obstacles with confidence and resilience.
• Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to adversity, and thrive in the face of challenges. It involves developing coping skills, positive thinking patterns, and social support networks to overcome obstacles and maintain well-being. Resilient individuals are able to persevere in the face of adversity, learn from failures, and emerge stronger and more resilient as a result.
• Professional identity refers to the sense of self and belonging that individuals derive from their roles, responsibilities, and contributions within their chosen profession or field of work. It encompasses the values, beliefs, skills, and experiences that shape one's professional identity and influence how they perceive themselves and interact with others in professional settings. Developing a strong professional identity involves cultivating expertise, building relationships, and aligning one's career goals with their personal values and aspirations.

Effective relationships in a government system encompass inspiring and mentoring fellow colleagues towards desired action. It refers to the ability to collaborate through good listening and dialogue, and build meaningful relationships with others in a manner that achieves desired outcomes while maintaining respect, trust, and mutual understanding.

Child development and pedagogical skills includes

• The ways in which key components of nurturing care, viz., good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, security and safety, and opportunities for early learning interact and build on each other
• How to establish the right atmosphere and an effective routine that is based on developmentally appropriate outcomes in all developmental domains
• Why particular ways of structuring the time children spend in the anganwadi and schools are more nurturing than others
• What kind of materials can support children’s nurture better and why

Implementation skills include a range of competencies including planning, monitoring progress, making data-driven decisions. It refers to the ability to effectively envision and execute plans, strategies, or initiatives to achieve desired outcomes or goals. These skills are essential for turning ideas or intentions into action and bringing projects or tasks to fruition.