Under NEP 2020, Balvatika covers the 3-6 year age group. NEP 2020 envisions a five-year foundational stage: three years of ECCE (including Balvatika) followed by the first two years of primary school. This brings the 3-6 age group into the formal school system for the first time in India, typically through Anganwadi centres, Balwadis, Nurseries, or pre-primary school sections.