Early childhood education has metamorphosed from ordinary provision of care for children while their parents are at work, to a provision for adequate care, education, training and development of the child. Over the years many innovations have been made in the policy, nature and curriculum of early childhood education in Nigeria. The paradigm shift from survival to development in early childhood is necessitated by the consensus that the early years are crucial and important phase for the overall development of the child throughout lifespan. Experiences during the early years have a lasting influence on the mental, social, emotional, language and physical development of the child. The quality of the environment determines the quality of experience acquired by the child. Researchers have established that good quality education and care provided for children in their early years help them to succeed at school and later in life. This article examined and explained the status of this level of education, the improvements and innovations that have been successfully implemented as well as the challenges and how they can be remedied. Therefore, it was recommended that government should be more proactive and more committed to the course of achieving quality in early childhood education and that caregivers should be well trained and professionally qualified
