In a country where early childhood education was once considered a luxury and limited to metro cities, a quiet revolution began in 2005, one that would go on to redefine the way India looks at preschooling. At a time when the sector was largely unorganised, with very few branded players confined to urban pockets, quality education for young children was both scarce and inaccessible. It was in this very gap that Hello Kids found its purpose.
Starting from just one centre, Hello Kids quickly grew into a trusted name in early education. Within a few years, it had expanded to over 1,000+ centres across 28 states, proving that preschooling could be made affordable, scalable, and locally relevant. This early growth was more than just numbers; it was a movement toward educational equity. By understanding the unique needs of children and families in different regions, it created a model that blended global best practices with Indian values and cultural sensitivity.
Fast forward to today, Hello Kids operates with pride across 29 states and 1,050+ centres, a testament to the vision and persistence behind the brand. It has become one of India’s most recognised and loved preschool chains, impacting thousands of young minds each day. Its presence is not just limited to cities but extends to small towns and semi-urban pockets, where the need for foundational learning is greatest.
What sets Hello Kids apart is its unwavering focus on making high-quality education accessible to all, without burdening parents with high fees. The key to this has been its lean operational model, driven by strong Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), streamlined curriculum delivery, and ongoing teacher training programs. These systems ensure that every centre, regardless of its size or location, delivers consistent quality and child-centric learning experiences.
One of the most innovative aspects of Hello Kids is its noroyalty franchise model, the first of its kind in India’s preschool space. This unique approach has empowered hundreds of local entrepreneurs to establish preschools in their communities without the financial burden of recurring royalty fees. More than just a business model, it is a collaborative ecosystem. Franchisees receive full support, from setting up infrastructure and staff training to marketing assistance, academic planning, and operational guidance. Regular audits and mentoring ensure that quality benchmarks are met and that the brand’s vision remains intact across all centres.
Scaling such a diverse and vast network was not without its challenges. In the early years, it faced resistance from communities unfamiliar with the concept of preschool. Convincing parents of the importance of early education required grassroots awareness campaigns, door-to-door visits, parenting workshops, and community outreach initiatives. There was also a severe shortage of trained preschool educators.
in remote regions. It responded by investing heavily in teacher training programs, helping local women gain skills and become empowered contributors to their communities while maintaining educational quality.
As India embraces a more structured and inclusive education policy through the NEP 2020, Hello Kids is already ahead of the curve. The new education policy places great emphasis on foundational literacy, numeracy, and play-based learning in early years, all of which have been part of its core philosophy since inception. This alignment further strengthens its position as a future-ready preschool brand.
Looking ahead, Hello Kids is preparing for its next phase of growth. With strong roots in 29 states, the brand is now focusing on deeper expansion in priority regions. The roadmap includes opening 100+ new centres in Hyderabad and Telangana, aiming to reach 2,000+ centres across India in the near future. The goal remains clear: to create joyful, nurturing, and academically enriching spaces for every child, regardless of geography or background.
As the brand puts it, “Every child deserves a joyful start to their learning journey. When we nurture curiosity, confidence, and creativity in the early years, we are not just preparing children for school, we are preparing them for life. Our mission is to build a nation of learners, one preschooler at a time.”
From humble beginnings to a nationwide movement, Hello Kids continues to shape India’s future, proving that real change always begins at the foundation.
Views expressed by Pritam Kumar Agrawal, Founder, Hello Kids Chain of Preschools & Riverstone Schools, and Vice President, ECA (Early Childhood Association India), Bangalore, Karnataka.
