Figure 1: Nepal in the Map of Asia 

Source : (Upreti,2011)

Table 1: ECD centers in Nepal from 2006- 2008

Nepal ECD centers	2006	2007	2008
Community based ECD	229	6,332	6,332
Government School ECD	5,835	10,191	13,691
Private School ECD	3,313	3,413	3,636
Total	9,377	19,936	23,659

Table 1 showing the increasing number of ECD centers in Nepal.
Source: Department of Education, Education Ministry & Government of Nepal (2008). Kathmandu.

The latest statistics indicates that there are over 24,000 school based and community based ECD centers in the country (Flash report 2007). The Government of Nepal started taking interest in ECD programs at the implementation of the country's Seventh Plan (1987-1992). In the Seventh Plan, the government realized the need for appropriate services for children from the time of conception. However, the government has not developed specific or concrete plans and policies other than encouraging families and communities to take initiative in delivering child care services. In the Eighth Plan (1992-1997) the government reiterated the statements made in the Seventh Plan. In the Ninth Plan (1997-2002) the government developed some specific plans and policies for the expansion of ECD programs in the country. The Ninth Plan had aimed to establish 10,000 pre-primary schools under the Basic and Primary Education Project (BPEP) but the implementation number had been reduced to 5,700. The achieved number is 2,915. The Tenth Plan (2003-2008) has targeted to establish 13,000 pre-primary schools. According to Flash Report 2010/2011 there are 31,089 ECD/Pre-Primary Classes (PPCs) in the country, 26,773 (86.1%) ECDs are running as community-based ECD centers and community school based ECD/PPCs. Thus rest 4,316 (13.9%) of the ECD/PPCs are run by private schools.

• Community based and school based which are initiated by government, NGOs/INGOs and private.
• Pre-primary classes attached to primary schools (in private and government schools)

Nowadays in big cities like Kathmandu, pre-schools, which are named after Montessori system are increasing and they are very expensive. In reality the "Montessori Pre-schools" are not following the techniques of Montessori system they are only using the name for school business.

Children in a private school

Pre-clasroom in a private school

Pre-school playing area in a private school

Both private and government ECD centers are generally open from Sunday to Friday. Most ECD centers and pre-primary schools are open from 10 am to 3 pm. While some private ECD centers and Nursery schools are more flexible. Beside national holidays there are winter vacation of 45 days and summer vacation of 15 days in the government schools of Kathmandu valley. In private schools this winter and summer vacation also  depend on their own calendar.  

School Based Early Childhood Development (SBECD) and Community Based Early Childhood Development (CBECD) centers are being operated in three modes: Government initiatives, INGO/NGO Partnership and government and INGO partnership.

In Nepal, ECD programs are increasing in number but quality varies according to area. In urban area there are different qualities of ECD program - expensive, well equipped and low qualities with few facilities. In rural and remote areas, ECD centers do not have trained teachers and enough learning materials for children. 

A small research conducted by the author 9 government and 9 private schools were selected  and  observed  school  and classroom environment. 

The findings were as follows:  

1.Schools were located in wide variety of geographical locations (Mountain, plain, rural, urban) in Nepal.

2.Problems faced by the ECD programs in different areas are :

Chart 1.