CBSE: Aadhaar number mandatory for registration in class 9, 11 registration

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October 4, 2017

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it mandatory for students to attach their Aadhaar Number for registration of Class 9 and 11.

A circular released by the board recently in this regard has listed detailed rules for the registration of students in class 9 and class 11 of CBSE affiliated schools.

“All CBSE affiliated schools should register themselves before proceeding for online submission. They can use the password and ‘Affiliation Number’ as user ID already available with them. Newly affiliated schools should contact the concerned Regional Office of the CBSE for obtaining password,” reads the circular.

Explaining about making the Aadhaar number compulsory for registration, the CBSE revealed “Wherever Aadhar number is not available; Aadhar enrolment number can be provided. Residents of Indian states where Aadhar enrolment is not being done may provide Bank details in lieu of Aadhar.”

The foreign nationals registering for class 9 and 11 of CBSE will require to their passport number or Social Security Number/ID Number issued by the foreign country.

It should be noted that those registered in class 9 shall have to appear for mandatory board exam next year.

India’s Top Preschool Ranking :: September 2017

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October 4, 2017

Editorial Preschools Redefining the Education Roadmap of India Special Interview Fostering Cognitive Development Among Children PolicyMaker’s Perspective Reforming Higher Education Landscape in Chhattisgarh Holistically Preschool Perspective Innovative to Unleash the Potential of Children Learning Means a Holistic Growth Transformation of Education in the next decade EuroKids: Reinventing Preschool Education Making Learning a Matter of Sheer Joy Joylap: Innovating to make Learning Joyful Hello Kids: Refining Skills to Prepare Global Citizens Little Leaders: Fostering Kids’ Growth Holistically Playschool Perspective Nurturing Stimulated Learning Among Children School Perspective Vidhyashram: Empowering Learners with 21st Century Skills Vidhyashram: Empowering Learners with 21st Century Skills Guest Column Skilling india Preschool Ranking India’s Top Preschool Ranking 2017 Conference Report 10th World Education Summit 2017 Delhi :: Conference Report

HRD Minister launches Diploma in Elementary Education for untrained teachers

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October 4, 2017

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has designed a one-time Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) course for in-service untrained teachers training. Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar launched the teacher training programme in New Delhi.

The programme is designed for all government/government aided/private unaided recognised in-service untrained teachers of elementary schools. “Approximately 15 lakh teachers have been enrolled in the programme so far,” said the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

Javadekar further added that the all untrained teachers are to be trained by 2019. “The government is committed to improve the education system and will be training approximately 15 lakh untrained teachers by 31st March 2019 and teachers will get diploma after the successful completion of the course,” he said.

Prof. C.B Sharma, Chairman, NIOS said that training isn’t just important to any institution, it is vital also. The way teachers teach is of critical concern in any reform designed to improve the quality.

The programme is available in online and distance learning (ODL) mode. “NIOS has been focusing on the quality and excellence in the training aspects of the in-service teachers across the country,” the Ministry said.

Little Leaders: Fostering Kids’ Growth Holistically

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September 29, 2017

At Little Leaders, elaborative parameters are provided to the educators and records are maintained on a regular basis, kids are assessed with every activity they perform, says Anu Gupta, Director, Little Leaders Play School, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

What distinguishes Little Leaders, a preschool franchise, from other preschool brands in the country?

We believe each and every franchise of ours is a partner in growth with us. When they get associated with us, they automatically get access to world class curriculum which is awarded by various industry bodies, additionally we are also an ISO certified organisation. Our help and assistance stats from the very nascent stage where we evaluate the property and suggest if the location is appropriate for a preschool. We also help in finding a high potential location for preschool setup. Once the location is identified, we help in designing and then setting up the entire branch. Our admin team work towards sourcing materials, vendors, HR team helps in recruitment, Academic Head supports in curriculum planning, content generation, assessments etc. Extensive training sessions are conducted to inform the various processes and nuances of this industry. Marketing team supports in devising and formulating the advertising and PR framework.

Our mission is to nurture the young minds in a culturally appropriate environment and provide opportunities to help them realise their true potential.

How the curriculum and assessment methods followed at Little Leaders help students in their holistic development?

Our curriculum is designed to provide the teachings and evaluate kids on a daily basis. Elaborative parameters are provided to the educators and the records are maintained on a regular basis, kids are ssessed every moment with every activity they perform. It leaves the scope for daily improvements in the kids, it also helps to analyse the sphere and sector in which the child needs improvement and then focused workout can be done by giving them experiential learnings that leads to kid’s holistic development.

How teachers at Little Leaders provide children with a culturally sound environment and right values for nurturing healthy minds and bodies?

‘Education for Life’ refers to a child’s holistic development. This includes inculcating lifelong values so that the child is able to lead a happy, powerful and successful life.

We focus on qualities like:

Confidence – stage exposure, encouraging child to participate individually as well as in group.

Leadership Skills- By making captains in the class like class monitor, electricity monitor, queue monitor and giving them tasks where the child achieves success, conducting assembly with the teachers, helping teachers in class, etc.

Communication – encouraging child to express freely, recitation, self-introduction, listening to the child, conducting activities which promote language development.

Logical Thinking & Decision Making – Giving choices to children where they have to choose one among many things.

Initiative Taking- Meal time activity, asking questions like ‘who wants to distribute plates?’

Emotional and Social Competence – A child, who has achieved emotional competence, will build healthy social relationships with others. By using aids like hammer set, role plays and dramatisation, celebration of birthdays, nature walks, make child socially strong.

Physical Competence- Karate, Yoga, sports day, aids like balancing beam, etc.

Self-Help Skills – We give importance to self-help skills, wherein a child learns through daily routine practice and became in dependent gradually. Like washing hands, zipping, unzipping, how to carry their bag and bottle, and how to take care of their belonging.

Play schools work on the fine and gross motor skills of the kids, they work upon the reasoning, logical thinking, derivative learnings by experiential teaching.

How the playschool helps its students in boosting their creativity, thinking capabilities and leadership qualities?

In playschools, we lay the foundation of a human character. Children are allowed to derive their understanding and explore the surroundings positively. Playschools work on the fine and gross motor skills of the kids, they work upon the reasoning, logical thinking, derivative learnings by experiential teaching. Learners are provided with the scope of improvement with every step and they work in the most positive environment with the power of positivity that let the individuals be the way they are. And, increase the confidence to face the challenges of the world.

What is the mission and vision of Little Leaders for future?

Our vision to be the best preschool by parents and kids in the world by offering best education experiences to our little leaders and to develop our children as a responsible and lovable citizen. Our mission is to nurture the young minds in a culturally appropriate environment and provide opportunities to help them realise their true potential.

Hello Kids: Refining Skills to Prepare Global Citizens

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digitalLEARNING Network

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September 29, 2017

Hello Kids is a preschool where children grow and develop while reading, listening and playing. At the school, they learn to move from dependence to independence, says Pritam Agrawal, Founder Director, Hello Kids, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN)

How Hello Kids help its children to grow and develop while reading, listening and playing?

Albert Einstein once said, “Play is the highest form of Research.” Knowledge and recreation go hand-in-hand for toddlers. Since the children at Hello Kids are not more than three years old, we undergo the effective approach of training of staff to inculcate the attribute of patience and saying yes to the child’s activities. Affectionate behaviour of staff imbibes a sense of belongingness in children that helps them in their progress.

Knowledge and recreation go hand-in-hand for toddlers. Since the children at Hello Kids are not more than three years old, we undergo the effective approach of training of staff to inculcate the attribute of patience and saying yes to the child’s activities.

Infrastructure wise, what facilities are provided at Hello Kids to make the learning delightful, yet keeping them safe?

To develop a strong foundation in the initial years of the kids, at Hello Kids children are taught in a playful environment. The infrastructure helps the teachers and staff to create this environment. At Hello Kids, we ensure that there is no such equipment or furniture that may harm the students. We also make sure that the objects students are playing with or using in their learning activity should not have poisonous colours or odours.

The preschool uses montessori, playway and ‘gurukul’ methods of education, how the combination of these methods helps the children to develop holistically?

Hello Kids caters to the age group of one-and-ahalf to five-and-a-half-years old kids and offers the best of montessori, playway and gurukul methods of education. These methods help us in all-around development of children using their five senses effectively. These methods help the children to enjoy and explore while learning something new. Hello Kids ensures all-round development of children and exposes them to many aspects of life.

How the curriculum helps the preschool students face the real-life challenges?

The academic curriculum at Hello Kids is only one part of the educational development of child, with as much emphasis placed on preparation for the future. We believe education is more than just academic success. Teaching is innovatively structured so that each child’s personality can develop and self-confidence can grow.

What is the vision and plans of Hello Kids for the future?

Hello Kids, by offering the best education, is trying to have the best of both the worlds in its children, i.e., Eastern culture with Western competitive standards. Our children will grow up as emotionally balanced, confident and strong individuals. With over 485 centres presently, we are planning to expand it to 500 till December 2017.

Making Learning a Matter of Sheer Joy

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September 29, 2017

Rangoli lays emphasis on identifying and nurturing the natural talent of its students and making learning a matter of sheer joy, as a preschool begins the process of the child’s initiation into the world of education, says Anamika Anjaria, Director, Rangoli Group of Institutions, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

What differentiates Rangoli Preschool from other preschools in India?

Rangoli lays equal emphasis on both playing and learning, prepares the under structure for the holistic development of children, offers guidance to parents and serves the community at large, is run by a highly qualified teaching staff, offers ageappropriate programmes, and allows a child to be expressive due to the personalised treatment given at Rangoli. All these unique features make us different from other preschools in India and the best one in Western India.

Along with educational qualifications and experience, on what other parameters teachers are evaluated before they are recruited by the school?

Rangoli Preschool believes in recruiting, training and retaining the best-in-class talent. Apart from educational qualification and training, we also look for teachers who are kind and humble in approach, are of expected moral character, have mastery over instructional (including interpersonal) skills to be effective in class, and can use their skills and knowledge to best fit the needs of the school. They also need to have the ability to work with diverse groups of students and parents, have the desire to work in extracurricular assignments, and an aptitude that meets the expectation of the local community.

Rangoli lays emphasis on identifying and nurturing the natural talent of its students and making learning a matter of sheer joy, as a preschool begins the process of the child’s initiation into the world of education.

How does the curriculum followed at Rangoli focus on overall development of children?

Rangoli lays emphasis on identifying and nurturing the natural talent of its students and making learning a matter of sheer joy, as a preschool begins the process of the child’s initiation into the world of education. Since it is the first rung of the ladder, it is essential that the curriculum is designed after taking into consideration the inputs from teachers and eminent educationists. We at Rangoli have done just that and designed a courseware that has a sharp focus on socio-emotional, creative, language, physical, cognitive, intellectual, moral and aesthetic development.

Which other developmental areas Rangoli focuses on along with the formal education?

The developmental areas covered at RANGOLI Preschool include physical development, social and emotional development, cognitive development and language development. Celebrations are an integral part of Rangoli curriculum. We celebrate different religious and national festivals as part of social development. There are also numerous special days celebrated at the school like Parents Day, Grandparents Day, etc.

Throw some light on the toddler care programme offered by Rangoli.

The toddler care programme seeks to ensure that infants get a safe, healthy, emotionally secure and intellectually rich start in life. Our toddler programme uses hands-on exploration and social interaction in safe, engaging surroundings to help the toddlers learn about their expanding world. Through the guidance of our early childhood development professionals, toddlers learn to enjoy learning experiences that promote their independence and social skills, and foster selfconfidence.

Vidhyashram: Empowering Learners with 21st Century Skills

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digitalLEARNING Network

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September 29, 2017

Dr Bharti Swami, Founder Principal,
Vidhyashram International School

At Vidhyashram International School, we equip learners with knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to establish themselves and contribute positively to the world as progressive and responsible citizens, says Dr Bharti Swami, Founder Principal, Vidhyashram International School, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

What are the various projects undertaken by the school to introduce teachers and students with the best global practices?

The school has undertaken projects pertaining to digital learning which include implementation of “Moodle” in curriculum planning and teaching in the classrooms by the teaching staff. The school has specific projects to incorporate spoken English which is key to teaching-learning process at Vidhyashram in a predominantly Hindi-speaking belt. Apart from subscribing English newspapers, periodicals and books, we have a language lab equipped with audio aids. We have an e-library from where staff members and children may subscribe online books and periodicals through Kindle App.

The school has been awarded the British Council International School Award (ISA), which is a benchmarking scheme to recognise and celebrate exemplary practices of internationalism in schools. We are still a part of the project and various activities are carried out in the school at national and international level. The school has also been a part of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s “The Art of Living”. The project is guided by Gurudev’s philosophy of peace and has touched the lives of over 370 million people around the world to overcome stress, depression and violent tendencies. Recently, we have joined hands with Rakesh Nihal, who runs “Gau Samvardhan Ashram” and is dedicated to saving the Indian cow breed. The school also conducts regular motivational workshops by Srikant Gupta, Director, IICS, to help children evolve with confidence and consciousness.

The school has been awarded the British Council International School Award (ISA), which is a benchmarking scheme to recognise and celebrate exemplary practices of internationalism in schools.

It is important to monitor progress performance and behaviour of every student at school. What initiatives have been taken by your school in this regard?

For us, each and every child is important. We maintain a record of graph of the academic performance of every student. A detailed result analysis is done after every test and a corrective action plan is undertaken for the academically weak students. Children with discipline problems are regularly counselled and remedial classes are held for these students. Along with this, we have a concept of identifying best performing students every month to encourage other students to perform the same way.

Conducive environment for Research and innovation is to be encouraged in the school for becoming a model school. What future practices and innovations are embedded with the teaching-learning process in your school?

Provision of conducive environment for teachinglearning process is one of the most important responsibilities of a school. At Vidhyashram, we promote blended learning that combines online digital media with traditional classroom methods of teaching. Moreover, we have also adopted flipped learning, wherein the model of the typical lecture and homework elements of a course are flipped/reversed. Students view short video lectures at home before the class session, while the class time is devoted to exercises, projects or discussions. Besides access to Internet, where the teachers can explore, experience and search for best available teaching material, the school also uses MOODLE which is a learning management system. It has further facilitated the choice of content selection from various online and offline resources. School also uses FLINNT app which is a common platform for communication with parents. Students also get a chance to access some useful courses through this app. Students will be provided free access to online content at all times to assist self-paced learning.

Which software do you use to end paper work and promote digitisation in the school?

Vidhyashram believes in transforming traditional classrooms into engaging, learner-eccentric environment by integrating state-of-the-art technology, infrastructure and professionallydeveloped multimedia learning modules. We are among the best digital schools of 21st century. We believe in global citizenship and paperless communication. ERP software is used to generate reports and results of the students periodically, making the system almost paperless. Our classrooms are 100% digital where e-pathshala, extra marks, teach next and other online modules are used through “Moodle” by all teachers. The entire curriculum planning and question paper generation is computerised. We use Google for education and all the staff members, students and parents are connected through Flintt App SMS alerts are also generated integrally to pass the information and circulars.

Provision of conducive environment for teachinglearning process is one of the most important responsibilities of a school. At Vidhyashram, we promote blended learning that combines online digital media with traditional classroom methods of teaching.

An Overview of Vidhyashram
Vidhyashram International School was conceived with the vision “to be the most admired school by creating adults of tomorrow who are progressive, caring and who will contribute positively to the world’s society for peaceful coexistence and mutual growth”.

The mission of the school is to provide an environment for teaching-learning process to produce humane world leaders of tomorrow who will excel in the areas of their chosen fields and facilitate them in identifying their potentials.

The school started its journey with only 450 students but the tenacity of Chairman Vinay Kumar Jain, the progressive approach of Director/ CEO Gaurav Jain and the selfless dedication and expertise of the Principal Dr Bharti Swami has led the school to such a formidable stature. The school has been successful in grabbing the attention of multitudes of future conscious families ever since its establishment. The school believes in perfect amalgamation of the ideals enshrined in the culture of our nation and values of global citizenship. The institution has emerged as a temple of education in and around Western Rajasthan.

It is said, ‘Only change is constant’, therefore Vidhyashram School has brought about change in the teaching learning process by introducing –

MOODLE Learning Management System which has been developed on pedagogical principles. It is used for blended learning and flipped classroom projects. It gives teachers a choice to explore, select and imbibe the best content available both online and offline. On the other hand, students are exposed to a variety of content which makes learning interesting, exhaustive and engaging.

The school is also using Flinnt, a communication and learning platform with the help of which parents and students are updated about home assignments, school circulars, subject worksheets etc. Students enrolled for English, science and mathematics courses are provided practical knowledge and assessed at the same time through tests.

Vidhyashram is also registered with Google for education and its various tools are used for educational purpose.

Consequently, the school has received Elets World Education Award 2017 for usage of ICT.

Transformation of Education in the next decade

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digitalLEARNING Network

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September 29, 2017

Education has turned a significant subject of discussion at national and international level lately. When we mention transformation of education, it means evolution of the system in tandem with the global socio-politic-economy, writes Jitendra Karsan, Chief Executive Officer, Safari Kid, for Elets News Network (ENN).

Based on the current social reality, the next decade is set to actually change many of our fundamental relationships – with ourselves, within our organisations; and with systems and societies. This will be seen naturally in education landscape, where institutions will not be just education or knowledge providers but will become torchbearers of culture, openness and a global outlook and acceptance towards diversity.

Though much has been done for the Indian higher education system, primary and preschool education received only a little piece of the pie. Preschool education is more of a focal point now than in any other decade. Hopefully, this trend may continue and rise in the coming decade.

While preschool education will see more emergence and importance in the coming years, it is also the nuances of pedagogy and methods that will set players apart from each other.

For instance, Safari Kid’s scientific approach to learning has been curated by scholars and veterans which has proven to be effective in adapting children to new concepts from early life. Also, Safari Kid pupils have shown to have performed far superior than their peers due to these methods.

Apart from the scientific nature of teaching and personalised manner of reaching out to children, three transformations will set the education wheel rolling into a much more evolved spectrum, compared to what it is today.

Preschools like ours have been instrumental in helping children learn via structured play and understand concepts by using familiar objects and a differential pace for all students. Safari Kid will launch its first preschool in Gurugram in Dec 2017. Followed by 2 more in Delhi / NCR region and 5 more in other metros by March 2018.

• Shift from rote learning to experiential learning: Schools are increasingly changing their curriculum to fit a more emergent form of learning, i.e., processes that enable students to learn things by understanding and questioning compared to rote models of learning. It is important that this is inculcated among children from an early age. Preschools like ours have been instrumental in helping children learn via structured play and understand concepts by using familiar objects and a differential pace for all students. Safari Kid will launch its first preschool in Gurugram in Dec 2017. Followed by 2 more in Delhi / NCR region and 5 more in other metros by March 2018.

• Percolation of technology and media: The percolation of technology and media cannot be stopped in our lives. Education in the next decade is most likely to use technology to aide in the process of reaching out to students more than ever. Institutions will accept the need and have more standardised usage of technology for quicker and more efficient teaching processes. New approaches to designing learning experiences will deepen our capacity to personalise learning.

• Evolution of institutions’ role: School communities will become points of intervention for societies and their people wherein schools will be one of the crucial sources of information for children. Schools will need to be more globally oriented where different cultures, viewpoints will be accepted and understood. This is actually something that we can boast of at our chain of preschools at Safari Kid.

Learning Means a Holistic Growth

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digitalLEARNING Network

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September 29, 2017

At Brats n Cuties, learning means a holistic growth. Therefore, our curriculum is a heterogeneous mixture of themes, projects and activity based learning. Our learning methodologies allow parents and teachers work simultaneously to meet a learning objective, says Deven Khullar, Chairman, Brats n Cuties, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

What methodologies are adopted at Brats n Cuties to make the learning a passion for the children?

Our methodology is an amalgamation of tried and tested Indian teaching methodologies of the Montessori system, which in turn is integrated with novo technologies and innovative teaching tools that have been developed with constant R&D of our consultants and teachers. Our teaching methodologies are:

• Edudrama – This is a specialised programme for the age group of 2+ to 5 years. The scope of learning under this programme is vast when it is done by the trainers of Brats n Cuties. Edudrama increases the scope of learning through enchanting experience by enhancing linguistic skills, voice modulation, facial expression and imaginative powers.

• Projects and Themes – Monthly themes and projects based learning are another teaching methodology that we follow for the development of children in this tender age group. The monthly themes and projects build awareness about environmental issues and provide an opportunity to get hands-on experience of concepts.

• Special Assembly – We believe that stage exposure and public speaking promote personality development. Experiential learning, stage exposure, personality grooming sessions, phonics and diction activities improve fine and gross motor skills of the children along with their physical endurance.

Besides our set parameters of recruitment, we look beyond the teachers being trained for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) levels. We choose teachers who are sensitive towards the children’s needs at a tender age and are sensitised enough to understand any customised wants of the children.

What distinguishes Brats n Cuties brand from various other preschool brands in the country?

At Brats n Cuties, learning means holistic growth. Therefore, our curriculum is heterogeneous mixture of themes, projects and activity based learning.

Which activities other than studies are conducted at Brats n Cuties to ensure holistic growth of the children?

Holistic growth at a tender age involves imparting skills, learning and ensuring physical and emotional growth. Hence, to strike a balance, we have a lot of age-specific physical drills to build up children’s physical endurance. Activities like pottery, rope tying, etc improve their gross and fine motor skills, while monthly themes and projects make them sensitive towards life and environment.

In a rapidly changing education landscape, it is important to have teachers who may develop children’s learning capabilities. What parameters Brats n Cuties follows to recruit teachers?

The recruitment of teachers is done very judiciously. Besides our set parameters of recruitment, we look beyond the teachers being trained for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) levels. We choose teachers who are sensitive towards the children’s needs at a tender age and are sensitised enough to understand any customised wants of the children. For us, post recruitment skill workshops conducted at school are more important to assess the credibility of a teacher over a period of time.

How does the curriculum help the preschool to create a balance between skill development and studies of the children?

Our curriculum is a mix-perfect blend of out-ofthe- box learning methodologies combined with projects, themes and learning objectives of the month, thus helping us maintain the right balance throughout the year.

Innovative to Unleash the Potential of Children

Interviews

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digitalLEARNING Network

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September 29, 2017

JIE Preschool employs those teachers who love the children unconditionally, are patient, and have a nurturing personality. Their main goal is to participate in a child’s growth and development, learn to understand and help their students, and to use a child’s natural curiosity to develop a learning plan, says Avneet Kaur, Director, JIE School India Pvt Ltd, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

To help students reach their maximum potential, how curriculum and strategies are modified at preschools?

Implementation of curriculum to meet the preschool standards is an ongoing process. Full understanding of curriculum and familiarity with appropriate developmental practices are necessary for their implementation. Children should be given time to be creative without any specific purpose and opportunity to work on their own.

To unleash the potential of the children, the teachers have an open dialogue with the children so that they can share their feelings and talk about their passion.

What are the parameters adopted by JIE Preschool to employ experienced and qualified teachers?

In our schools, we employ those teachers who love the children unconditionally, are patient, and have a nurturing personality. Their main goal is to participate in a child’s growth and development, learn to understand and help their students, and to use a child’s natural curiosity to develop a learning plan. Preschool teachers need to create an atmosphere where risks can be taken and discoveries can be made while maintaining a safe environment for children. A teacher should be able to create a climate of safety and respect, and when this happens learning follows automatically.

With an individual focus on every child, how their learning capabilities are enhanced?

Play builds the imagination, promotes social skills, advances physical and cognitive development. Play also helps kids work through emotions. Children seek attention of a teacher when they enter a classroom. Attention given to the children while playing or learning together build their self esteem.

What are your expansion plans for India and abroad?

We are a franchised business and we intend to expand it globally. Our main focus in India is in Tier three cities. We believe that there is a great untapped potential in these towns and cities. Currently, we are present in seven states of India but are looking forward to ensure our presence in maximum number of States. Internationally, we have entered Malaysia and the target is to enter more countries in future.

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