Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education (ECD) is the level of education before basic education which is an approach to coaching which is aimed for children from birth until the age of six years conducted through the provision of educational stimulation to assist the growth and development of physical and mental readiness for the child have in entering further education, which was held on formal, nonformal, and informal.

Early childhood education is one form of education that focuses on laying the foundation toward the growth and physical development (fine and gross motor coordination), intellect (the intellect, creativity, emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence), socio-emotional (attitude and behavior and religious) language and communication, in accordance with the uniqueness and stages of development through which early childhood.

There are two purpose of the early childhood education, namely:

     * The main purpose: to establish a quality of Indonesian children, the children grow and develop in accordance with developmental level and thus have optimal readiness in entering primary education and living life in adulthood.
     * The purpose of accompanying: to help prepare children to reach the readiness to learn (academic) at the school.

Span early childhood, according to Article 28 paragraph 1 of Law 20/2003 on National Education System is 0-6 years. Meanwhile, according to the scientific study of early childhood family and its implementation in some countries, early childhood has been conducted since the age of 0-8 years.

Scope Early Childhood Education

     * Infant (0-1 years)
     * Toddler (2-3 years)
     * Preschool / Kindergarten children (3-6 years)
     * Early Primary School (Primary Class Start) (6-8 years)