Integrated Child Development Services

Anganwadi Centres are community-level centres that deliver a package of nutrition, early childhood education and health-linked services. Under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, they provide six core services aimed principally at children below six years and pregnant and lactating women, with health services delivered in coordination with the public health system.

Nutrition and early childhood education

The package combines nutritional support with early learning because a child's physical growth and development require coordinated care.

• Supplementary nutrition is provided to children aged six months to six years and to pregnant and lactating women. It supplements the household diet rather than replacing it; its delivery includes take-home rations or meals according to the beneficiary category and applicable norms.
• Non-formal preschool education is provided to children aged three to six years through age-appropriate play and learning activities. It supports their overall development and readiness for school rather than providing formal primary schooling.
• Nutrition and health education is directed at women aged 15-45 years, particularly mothers. It promotes practices such as appropriate infant and young-child feeding, hygiene and care during pregnancy.

Preventive healthcare and referral

Three health-related services connect Anganwadi beneficiaries with the public healthcare system. These are not supplied by the Anganwadi worker acting alone.

• Immunisation protects children and pregnant women against vaccine-preventable diseases through the public immunisation programme.
• Health check-ups include attention to children's health and growth, antenatal care for pregnant women and postnatal care for mothers. Growth monitoring helps identify children requiring additional nutritional or medical attention.
• Referral services link children and women who need further assessment or treatment with appropriate health facilities. The centre therefore serves as a point of identification and linkage, not as a substitute for a medical facility.

How the integrated package is delivered

The Anganwadi worker, supported by the Anganwadi helper, provides community-level nutrition and preschool services and mobilises beneficiaries. Health personnel, including Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, provide the clinical components in coordination with the centre.

• The three services of immunisation, health check-ups and referral are delivered through convergence with the public health infrastructure.
• Eligibility differs by service: preschool education targets children aged three to six years, whereas supplementary nutrition begins at six months.