This article explores the early childhood education landscape in India, emphasising significant state-level initiatives. We focus particularly on Uttar Pradesh’s progress in aligning its programmes with the central NIPUN Bharat Mission, which aims to ensure children are school-ready by age six. We delve into the 12-week school readiness curriculum piloted in Aligarh, showcasing its promising early results, thereby illustrating the shift from policy to practice in Indian states.