Srilanka, Sept. 17 -- Many generations ago, an estate child's first years began in a cloth hammock strung up near the rows of tea bushes, so a mother could keep working within earshot of her infant. Later a corner in a line room was converted to establish Pulle Madu, where infants and toddlers were sheltered to ensure that plucking by their mothers was not disrupted.

Today, fully equipped Child Development Centers (CDC's) complete with qualified and trained CDC officers have replaced the old Pulle Madu, to offer children the same level of education and exposure that any child in a city avails. These children receive custodial care, and child development support through these CDC's, while Early Childhood Centers (ECD) lay greater emphasi...