Augmented reality can bring down the walls that constrain learning inside classrooms by opening a world of self exploration and discovery for the child, while virtual reality leads to higher levels of engagement,leading to enhanced learning experience, says Yuvraj Krishan Sharma, Co-founder & Director of Kompanions, a company which designs highly researched educational games for 2-7 years old, in an exclusive interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

What is the overview of your organisation?

Kompanions is an ‘ed-tech-sci organisation that aims to build a cognitively heal thier and an intellectually smarter planet by revisualising education. Kompanions is continuously working towards developing cutting-edge technology driven learning products and solutions. Our offerings are aimed at building knowledge and thinking skills in children to make them future ready.

What do you think of augmented reality?

Simply put, augmented reality is combining the real and simulated world by modifying a view of reality by a computer generated image, which is highly empowering,engaging and interactive experience for the user.

It can be of special relevance to the education space. Augmented reality can bring down the walls that constrain learning inside classrooms by opening a world of self exploration and discovery for the child – taking away the dullness from the age old method of learning from books.

How much scope do you see for augmented reality in the Indian education sector?

The traditional system of education prevails in most schools of India. Although its importance cannot be over emphasised, its static and unengaging nature can not be overlooked either. In this day and age of technological revolution, technology adoption through digital learning is a necessity for the Indian education system.

Can the concept of virtual reality transform the way education is imparted?
The current education system is a passive and non-interactive learning environment where many of the learners are disengaged. Learning through virtual reality leads to higher levels of engagement,leading to enhanced learning experience and consequently better learning outcomes. It is the most effective way to reach out to all types of learners, each having a unique pace of learning and understanding.

Will it make education accessible and affordable to masses?

Virtual reality is facilitated through VR glasses and an app. VR is a technology that is not just very cutting- edge but canalso be made extremely affordable and accessible for masses. Kompanions has developed a cardboard VR kit (on the lines on Google VR glasses) and an app, both of which are suitably priced for the masses.The idea is to impact as many learners through this powerful learning experience and reach out to every child.

How distinct is virtual reality from augmented reality?
VR is a completely immersive experience where the learner becomes a part of the learning environment. User almost becomes a protagonist and is transported to a uniquely realistic recreation of a setting or time period or location that may or may not exist.

Augmented reality is when one or few elements of the current environment are interactive. It is like a blend of virtual reality and real life. Images are created within applications that are not part of the real environment.

India has been maintaining an impressive growthin the education sector for the last two decadesirrespective of global circumstances. There is,however, scope for improvement always, writesRaj Bagaria, a student at The LawrencevilleSchool in New Jersey, US, based on his research.

Since 1990s, poverty reduction and economic growth in India have been spectacular. Maintaining an average economic growth rate of 6.7%, India has lifted millions of people out of poverty. However,education sector still needs major reforms. The India Socioeconomic and Caste Census recently showed that only 3.5% of rural students are college graduates, whereas 35.7% of residents are illiterate.

In the last three years, my personal research and community service project involved conducting a comprehensive survey of a public charity school — Ved Vignan Maha VidyaPeeth (VVMVP) in Bangalore — to grasp the state of rural education in India.

The VVMVP school network, one of the biggest educational organisations in India, has over 400 schools educating over 40,000 students across 20 states.However, one of the major areas of education in which these schools can improve is enhanced collaboration between students and teachers.

In rural areas, free schools almost universally employ rote learning that does not encourage students to utilise their knowledge creatively outside the classroom. Financial constraints prohibit these schools to meaningfully innovate their educational system. Therefore, a emphasised the Harkness method of learning. In this style of education,students often sit in a circle and debate and unravel certain topics amongst themselves, while the teacher serves as a guide through the discussion. The practical benefits of this teaching style include greater communication and articulation skills, greater interpersonal skills, stronger grasp of the material, and a wider perspective on any topic or issue.

Since the students never had any prior exposure to anything similar to Harkness, the project introduced activities in order of progressing difficulty.During the beginning of school, only as lightly moderated curriculum that the students were accustomed to was used.Then, for understanding of students and to enhance their abilities, oral poetry recitations speaking method was introduced.Immediately, the levels of anxiety amongst the students were observed.However, as with the first step, the students eventually grew comfortable with the new teaching style.

Once the students felt at ease with this activity, another step was taken toward Harkness by playing different collaborative games that forced the students to both analyse other students as well as speak loudly. Soon, as the students began to open up, harder debate activities and class discussions were introduced. These exercises immensely boosted students’ confidence and their ability to clearly express their thoughts and ideas. Teachers started witnessing that, students were more eager to attend classes and were definitely speaking English more fluently and effortlessly.

Harkness learning is a wonderful solution to the problem of rote learning in India that does not entail any additional costs. The Harkness learning can help rural students develop important life skills that would enable success beyond the classroom.

Away from the crowd of various schools springing up across the country, Golden Bells play school and De Indian Public School have created a niche in the preschool segment.

Claimed to be India’s first multiple intelligence based preschool, Golden Bells is anchored around the philosophy of innovation in teaching and the school work towards unleashing the latent genius in every child.

Since old strategies to ensure finest education for present-day wards are failing to deliver impressive results in the holistic development of kids, it is believed a robust academic foundation can empower today’s children to tackle academic challenges in future with ease.

Reinvention, the phrase holds immense substance in a changing educational environment.

Right from the preschool, high school to university – a student learns whatever is inculcated in his mind.

Thus, a curriculum has been shaped here around innovation and reinvention, incorporating latest trends, to facilitate bringing about an inner change in every student. It also helps in ensuring dexterity and an aptitude to achieve success in this fast globalising educational environment. It empowers the student to ‘think out of the box’.

Golden Bells preschool and De Indian Public School, a senior secondary school, have been anchored around this very philosophy.

Golden Bells preschool happens to be the first school in India to incorporate Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Analysis (DMIA) concept. DMIA involves analysing the potential of a child, learning styles, acquiring styles, brain dominance and distribution of intelligences through the fingerprints.

It identifies various hidden points of intelligence, providing information about strengths and weaknesses of a child including emotional, creative, adversity, spiritual and intelligent quotients. Accordingly, development of the child’s career is well-shaped.

“We lay emphasis on hands on learning wherein students learn and express the same in simple activities. We help the children connect their learning to real life and encourage them to innovate,” says H R Gupta, Chairman, Golden Bells preschool and De Indian Public School.

“Project and play-based learning holds equal significance at our campuses. Problem solving, decision making, and investigative activities in groups appended with play activities enable the students learn from their own experinces,” he adds.

Today, smart schooling technology marks the existence of Golden Bells preschool and De Indian Public School.

Students are tracked and monitored in the campus and while commuting in school cabs, parents or guardians get updated about the same, thus feeling relaxed about their security and attendance and enjoy such a special convenience like never before.

“The teaching-learning at both of our schools happens at digital podiums. All classes are equipped with 3D technol- ogy; virtual electronic blocks add to the convenience factor. We offer a supportive environment,” says Rajeev Gupta, Director of Golden Bells preschool and De Indian Public School.

“We are the only preschool that have adopted so many extracurricular activities for kids, like swimming, horse riding, yoga, meditation, taekwondo, kho-kho, hockey, kabaddi and the list goes on,” he adds.

“Our target three years down the line is opening up of at least 50 preschools across the country,” says Gupta who also looks forward towards helping children and adults relieve stress via stress relieving exercises through his “Remake Yourself ” workshops.n

Nursery schools are baby steps of a child to education. Preschools influence a child’s personality development and build a strong foundation for the future. Therefore it is important for parents to choose a nursery school where the child can learn and grow in a healthy atmosphere, and infrastructure plays an important role in building such an atmosphere, observes Priyanka Sharma of Elets News Network (ENN).

Apreschool should have an environment that is calm, engaging and responsive to each individual child at all stages of his or her development. Entrepreneurs planning to open a preschool need to concentrate on infrastructure development, which includes constructing a building which has spacious and colourful classrooms, a nicely maintained playing area which offers interactive learning environment and furniture that has been designed keeping safety of children in mind.

For the success of a preschool, significant investment is required in infrastructure.

“An important element which is counted among the quality of a pre-school is the infrastructure. Many unbranded pre-schools don’t give much thought on the building infrastructure. As we deal with small kids, we have to make sure that the whole building should be very neat and clean, colourful and there should not be sharp edges on furniture or anywhere,” says Anu Gupta, Director, Little Leaders Play School.

The number of children enrolled in a school depends entirely on the space available. According to the common procedure followed, 20-25 square feet of space is provided for every child. So, if the school has a classroom of size 20 feet x 10 feet, 10 kids can be accommodated easily. The room size is usually considered a benchmark to decide on the number of kids that can be enrolled.

While building a preschool classroom, some important safety features should also be incorporated to child-proof it.

“We use baby-proofing products like door jammer stopper, door guard, toddler-sized tables and chairs with no sharp edges. We also ensure to keep space for movement in the classroom and not make it crowded with furniture as toddlers need space to explore and move around,” says Raj Singhal, CEO, Foot- prints Preschool.

Toddlers learn more when they play and observe things around them. Therefore, it is important to equip the pre-school with good quality colourful furniture also.

“The furniture should be stable, well- designed, and securely attached to the wall where necessary. Disorder in the environment can result in chaos, mate- rials or furniture falling, dangerous cuts or splinters from sharp furniture edges, or other avoidable accidents. Since children are spending good time in school, so school furniture should be cozy and have home-like touches in the environment which increases the comfort of the child (e.g., pillows, baskets, curtains, and cushions),” says the Director of Little Leaders Play School.

Among other features that need to be considered while developing infrastructure for a preschool include fixing all electrical points higher so that they are out of the reach of children and covering gaps in the railings of balconies so that kids do not slip through.

Also, fire safety measures should be adequate so that kids can be quickly evicted if disaster strikes.

According to Deven Khullar, Chairman, Brats and Cuties Basic, infrastructure should have proper fire exit plans, ramps for the specially-abled children, proper electric load, proper transport, etc.

“Safety can be ensured with usage of natural wood against particle board or MDF quality furniture. Also, furniture should not have sharp edges, is ergonomically designed to seat the children and also have interesting design themes to create curiosity in the minds of kids,” says Amar Kapasi , Co-founder , Planet Kids.

Toddlers learn more when they play and observe things around. Therefore, it is important to equip the preschool with good quality furniture.

While renovating classrooms, bright colours, posters and stickers on the walls should be used. The classroom can also be decorated with children’s original artwork.

“A quality preschool ensures to create an environment rich in creative and cultural experiences through creative arts, imaginative play, motor movement development, rhythm and dramatics,” says Sangeeta Basu, School Head, Medhaam Pre School.

Also, outdoor playing equipment needs to be properly arranged so that kids get adequate amount of physical activity. However, one needs to ensure that the area is safe. Using balconies and terraces as play areas should be avoided unless they are perfectly safe.

“Build up area and outdoor space available for free play of kids is one of the major parameters of a quality pre- school. All the other amenities revolve around that. Safe furniture for security and hygiene of the kids are important as they are very vulnerable to infections. Multimedia educational tools and toys, well ventilated classrooms are some other common parameters that can be adopted to qualify for a quality preschool,” says Ajit Kumar Singh, Managing Partner, Kids Aura.

A good number of toys and games which are not harmful for kids is an integral part of the learning experience for the kids. Children spend most of their time playing and working with materials or other children. So assorted building blocks, construction materials, props for pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials besides table toys like matching games, peg- boards and puzzles should be made available to the kids.

Preschools nowadays are increasingly focusing on mobile applications as learning tools. The popularity of smart phones apps is on the rise among the new generation. Akash Tomer of Elets News Network (ENN) explores usages and key reasons behind the popularity of apps among children, parents and and preschools.

According to a recent survey conducted in Britain, interactive educational apps are immensely popular among kids aged between 3 and 6 years. Parents as well as elementary teachers are encouraging children to start using mobile learning apps. In the last few years, the internet is flooded with such learning applications to complement classroom lessons in pre- schools. The availability of such apps has gone up tremendously over the last few years, with the Apple iTunes store alone having more than 65,200 educational apps. So, why is mobile learning being taken up in such a big way? Let’s take a look.

Systematic learning
Be it a mobile storytelling app for kids or a subject-specific learning app, all educational applications help kids in systematic learning. These learning applications have built-in databases to store the education or teaching based stories and completed assignments that can be saved for later re- views. Soft or digital copies of these texts and references can be accessed later. With traditional studying methods, a toddler on his/her own can become a bit haphazard but mobile apps for learning or study minimises that risk.

Staying connected with teachers and guides
There is no substitute for classroom teaching, but educational apps ensure better connectivity between kids and teachers. Today, a student can easily get in touch with the teacher via SMS, emails, chats, calls and video calls to resolve his or her queries and doubts instantaneously. Most of the learning apps are embedded with such facilities to make the tasks easy for kids.
“The idea behind developing the (MT Educare) app was to make available quality education, i.e., quality teachers and content to each child of this country, no matter where the child resides. Also en- able users to learn at their own pace and comfort,” said Dr Chhaya Shastri, Direc- tor, MT Educare.

Round-the-clock availability
One of the best features of education apps is their round-the-clock availability. Unlike schools, there is no fixed time schedule for kids to access a mobile application. All that is required is a smart phone or computer tablet, and with a tap on the screen little ones can operate them as most of the mobile applications come with child-friendly controls.

Fun and informal
Complaints of kids about ‘tough’ homework and ‘boring’ class lectures may disappear as soon as a child is acquainted with learning mobile applications. These apps present concepts with colourful graphics and imaginative illustrations to take away the boredom. As there is no teacher around, the entire virtual class- room learning environment is relaxed and informal. Learning with fun is one of the reasons why children use mobile learning applications for hours at a stretch.

One of the best features of education apps is their round-the-clock availability. Unlike schools, there is no fixed time schedule for kids to access a mobile application. All that is required is a smart phone or computer tablet.

Portability
Going on a vacation and worrying about their kids’ studies trouble some parents a lot. Learning apps have made such parents’ lives easier. Now, they don’t need to carry loads of books with them. A smart phone or tablet is all they need. Kids can use these electronic gadgets during long train or flight journeys to learn. Students need not to stay away from learning re- sources at any time.

Help in classroom performance
Mobile applications help little learners prepare their routine tests and daily assignments in a better way. These apps help kids visualise important concepts for precise implementation during tests and assignments. Moreover, apps of schools help children access the curriculum in advance and if a child knows what is going to be taught the next day, he or she can easily look it up on any good mobile application. Preparation in advance helps kids build self-confidence in class.

Alternative modes of learning
There is wide range of applications available to choose from depending on kids’ needs. There are text-based learning applications, subject specific learning applications, applications for test or assessments, applications to help in homework, etc. These applications have animated graphics, videos, info-graphics, audio- narration features, and a whole lot more that enable children to have ample scope of learning. Mobile learning is always dynamic – one can find numerous solutions for a single problem.

Explaining the importance of content in apps, Gaurav Mundra, CEO, Myly app, said, “We are content agnostic. We are the enablers for sharing any kind of content on the platform – text, images, audio and video. We allow bi-directional multimedia communication so that learning doesn’t become a monologue from the teachers’ side.”

Although most of the preschools use apps as a tool to help in the learning and development of a child, they do not completely rely on technology for the holistic development of a child. They focus more on “Learning through Senses” or on “Sensory Learning”.

The process of sensory learning starts even before the birth. Babies learn everything about the world by observing, listening, and putting everything within reach into their mouths. In order to know about any object, toddlers try to touch or grab everything they see. The same concept is being used by many preschools to make a kid understand about objects like fruits, flowers, plants, toys, etc.

Technology can aid sensory learning. Creative videos, audios on tablets or smart phone applications help kids understand their surroundings.

All mobile application developers claim to have built the best mobile apps for kids, but are these apps have appropriate parental control features? It should also be looked into that the apps satisfy the parents about the content their children are accessing.

“Giving kids access to educational and fun learning content with parents having control over the viewing time and a comfortable feeling about the safe online space happens through apps like ours. Safe Kids Apps can help you have that control which youtube or other ad-enabled content online cannot,” said Naveen Chintamaneni, Chief Revenue Officer, Bulbul Apps.

In present day world of fiercely competitive education, a complete dependence on classroom teaching is not enough for kids. Mobile applications have proved to be beneficial for kids and give them an edge over their peers. It’s likely that popularity of mobile applications will increase even more over time.

Preschools are children’s first formal training centre that they visit just after being taught basic things at home, it makes this novel learning experience vital so does the safety associated to it, writes Rashi Aditi Ghosh of Elets News Network (ENN).

Preschool is such an important phase in a child’s life when he or she gets exposed to a structured setting of learning comprising trainers (teachers) and children. It’s first unique experience for the child to learn to share, follow instructions to start off laying the foundation of education that begins in elementary school.

Concern for Safety Safety is the form of being protected. It is extremely important to provide the child with a safe and secure environment predominantly at the preschool level when the child is most vulnerable to various abuses.

Considering the possibilities of various forms of abuses that children can fall victim to, it becomes crucial to ensure a safe and secured environment for them at a place, where they cannot be under the watchful eyes of parents.

Building a safe and secured learning environment, identifying the pupils who are in distress or at a risk of harm and ensuring a swift and suitable action are vital components to confi rm the little ones remain safe all the times.

Be it within the school campus or the school transport, children require safety everywhere.

“Today preschools are coming up in each locality and each school has a substantial number of students,” said Ankit Tater, Director, iSuraksha Solutions Private Limited. “Except for some preschools, safety of children remains to be taken seriously. They along with parents are choosing safety over money.”

“Many parents are unconcerned about spending money on entertainment but when schools are approaching them to pay `100 per month extra for security, they start complaining about it or not accepting it at all,” he added.

Expressing concern over security at preschools, Deven Khullar, Chairman, Brats n Cuties, said: “The security of the children is always the foremost concern for any preschool, knowing the fact that parents have entrusted their invaluable treasure (kids) with us and most importantly before the child can learn, he should be feeling safe. For parents’ satisfaction, we have given them the Live relay of their child’s classroom. Radiofrequency identification cards (RFID) are provided for the auto Short Message Service (SMS) generation at the time of check-in and check out of the child from the school premises. Also, whatsapp reporting is done to let the parent know about the activities done in class on daily basis.”

Grim reality of inflating crime against kids
Rape and incest
According to National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) report for 2015, 8,800 cases of rape and incest on children were registered across India under the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

Corporal Punishment
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), having about 15,000 schools affiliated with it, has reported there are sporadic complaints of punishment to students in CBSE affiliated schools.

In 2007, the Ministry of Women and Child Development released a study report on child abuse which said every two of the three school children reported facing corporal punishment.

This National Study on Child Protection Mechanisms (NSCPM) echoes that it is the responsibility of the schools to have a written child protection policy as schools are considered one of the safest places for children.

Fire safety at schools
According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2014, 853 children aged under 14 died in fire accidents. There were many horrific instances where several children were killed and many had grievance injuries.

Major instances of school fire accidents
On 16 July, 2004, Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu) school fi re accident nearly 94 students were killed.

On 23 December 1995, 170 school students were killed in a fire at DAV Public School at Mandi Dabwali, a town in Sirsa district, Haryana.

Explaining about the safety preparedness, Raj Singhal, CEO – Footprints Preschool, said, “It is very important to have audits and surveillance vigorously done at the preschool-level. We have installed CCTVs everywhere and the live feed is broadcasted to parents. Our staff is very well-trained. They are screened for past criminal and medical records and we have tied up with agencies for this screening.”

Safe Transportation
School children are also subjected to life threatening road accidents across the nation as safety guidelines by the Supreme Court of India are fl outed by educational institutions.

Safety guidelines given by the Supreme Court of India for school buses:

? “School Bus” must be written on the back and front of the bus.
? If it is a hired bus, “On School Duty” should be clearly indicated
? Bus must have a First-Aid-Box.
? The windows of Bus must be fitted with horizontal grills.
? There must be a Fire Extinguisher in the Bus.
? School Name and Telephone No. must be written on the Bus.
? The doors of the Bus should be fitted with reliable locks.
? To keep School Bags safely, there should be a space fitted under the seats.
? There must be an Attendant from the School in the Bus.
? Any parent/guardian or a teacher may also travel to ensure these safety norms.

“We all (PlaySchool owners) need to understand the psychology of parents, they are young parents and the way their child is getting departed for the first time from them so are the parents from their wards. We, at Little Leaders, understand this and right from management level to bottom level we train our staff to ensure the way we handle the kids’ feelings. Similarly, we need to satisfy parents’ feeling,” said Anu Gupta, Director, Little Leaders Play School.

Mentioning about the preparedness and arrangements, Gupta of Little Leaders Play School, said, “To address the issue, we introduced modern technology at every step so that parents always feel in control. The parents who send their kids via cab always worry about their child’s safety. For this, we have GPS trackers and if any parent wants we can provide them exact locations of the cabs. Second, they wish to see what their child is doing in school or daycare for that we have CCTVs with live feed access to the parent. So one of the parents will get the access, enabling them to watch their kids live no matter where they are.”

According to Amar Kapasi, Co Founder, Planet Kids said surveillance is very important these days as a basic thing in terms of safety measures, in the wake of untoward incidents happening at various schools in country. “CCTV cameras and police verified employees are the basic measures which need to be taken to ensure the children remain in safe environment. Also the staff needs to be regularly sensitised about handling the children with utmost care and dignity.
Even the children need to be educated about good and bad touch at an early age.”

Suggested Solutions: Suggested measures that can be taken for students’ safety include:

? Child friendly infrastructure
? Proper Parent authorisation cards to ensure the child is being handed over to right parent.
? Security cameras installation in premises
? Restricted visitors’ access areas
? GPS tracking system in school transport
? Keeping a check on help staff
? Putting a fire exit plan in place

Ensuring attendance system at multiple points from boarding of bus in morning till drop off in afternoon, updating about any deviation in routine immediately to parents and school via messaging services can be some other measures.

As childhood is the first stage when child gets prepared for society, the early years of children play the key role in their lateral development. In those years, it is now important that toddlers also grow up as creative individuals while being introduced to their culture. Preschools can play an important role in this aspect, especially while ensuring children’s holistic development. Nowadays, there are many good preschools in India, with many more coming up almost every other day.

A competition between the big names in preschool industry caters to the good quality basic education and holistic development of children. Every school follows certain standards not only in teaching but also in terms of security, infrastructure and transportation of tiny-tots.

“Parents must look for a preschool that encourages development in sense of initiative and self-help, social and emotional development, cognitive development, physical development and hygiene, language-literacy and communication, creative arts, as a part of the educational belief and curriculum,” said Raj Singhal, CEO, Footprints preschool.

Preschool – History at a Glance
Growing urbanisation and increase in maternal employment outside the home has increased the demand of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). The changing social scenario, over the years, laid down the foundation for introduction of Preschool Education/Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in the country.

The earliest footprints of preschool or early childhood education, as an organised education initiative in India dates back to the latter half of the 20th century. The very first preschool education centers were established around 1946 in Gujarat and since then it was practiced to ‘Indianise’ the method to make preschool education available to majority of children in India.

After independence, different voluntary agencies and private institutions were trying to fulfil the need for preschool in the country. The government-taken first initiative in this area was in 1953, which was by setting up of a Central Social Welfare Board to start a grant–in–aid scheme for voluntary agencies/ private institutions.

Recognising the importance of ECCE, the Indian government launched Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in 1975 to improve health and education outcomes for children. The scheme provides early childhood education with the backing of Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. To improve the health of children, ‘Anganwadis’ were also established under the scheme across the country. ICDS is one of the world’s largest and unique programmes for early childhood development.

Preschool is one of the many services, considered as the backbone of ICDS, that lays the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of a child.

The Present Scenario
The number of private organisations in preschool segment is rapidly increasing. According to government estimates, about 10 million children participate in ECCE programmes provided by private organisations. Private preschool franchise like Kidzee (1,500+ centers in over 550+ cities) and Euro Kids (900 branches across more than 350 cities) are also offering their services in different countries across the globe.

In today’s cosmopolitan world of twin working culture and nuclear families, there is a growing need of parents to find a school in whose care their child can be entrusted, due to which the concept of daycare came into being. These Day Care Centres are meant for children aged 0-10. These centres, that follow a structured routine, are equipped with exceptional learning metodologies and age-appropriate playing facilities for children.

In these centers, children are engaged in various kinds of activities such as singing and painting. The staff of these daycare centers is trained. With individual attention to children, it helps them later in their emotional and physical growth.

Preschool or Child Care segment is 1.6 per cent of total education market of India. It is expected to reach more than 2% of the total education sector in the country by 2020.

According to the Preschool or Child Care Market in India 2016-2020 Report, the footprints of various international schools and kindergartens in India have led to a major change in the educational curriculum.

These international schools follow the Western educational system. This has led to the increase in enrollments of children from elite class and upper middle-class families. According to the report, new vendors entering the childcare market are adopting this system due to the rise in interest of parents in the blended learning of both western and Indian educational system.

“The major challenges of preschool education are lack of organised preschool structure. This leads to a preschool to run like simply a school where kids are being involved in routine academic session only where students are appraised by their reading and writing capacity rather than their all round development,” says Amit Kumar Singh, Managing partner, Kidz Aura preschool.

The special report says, the absence of regulations for setting up schools, low investments, low interest rates from banks, and the ability to expand geographically using the franchise structures are the major factors that are encouraging many vendors to enter the market.

Expressing his views on the preschools, Deven Khullar, Chairman, Brats and Cuties said, “Preschools provide the platform for the child to express, explore, probe and learn which is usually missing in formal schools and basic principles for a Preschool to be successful institution is to focus on holistic growth of the child.”

The Road Ahead
Scope of preschool education is large enough as it is an industry considered to be one of the recession proof industries. More importantly, the preschool industry is the third largest expenditure group in Indian households. Another reason for its wide scope is that preschool education has its impact on child’s future and overall life besides influence on their family. So all this makes preschools as an integral part of a child’s education at an early stage.

“Parents today are themselves well educated and well travelled across the globe and hence will certainly always be on the lookout for schools which bring in global standards of operations as well as methodologies in the learning domain,” said Amar Kapasi , Co-Founder, Planet Kids.

Preschool education has emerged as one of the most profitable segments of the Indian education market. It refers to the organised pre primary education programmes for children, particularly in the age group of 2-4 years. According to one report, the preschool market is set to thrive in India with an expected compound annual growth rate of 21.84% during 2016-2020.

Besides organised players, such as Kidzee and Eurokids, many new players have entered into this segment during the past few years and are expanding their reach into tier II, tier III cities in the country.

“A preschool in today’s time offers a complete plan for every learning style. Since children learn in a number of different ways, preschool is the only place to offer children the opportunity to learn in the ways in which each of them learn best.” said Preeti Bhandary, founder and CEO, Little Elly Preschool.

Exponential growth of preschool franchises in India: In India, the market size of preschool industry is huge with 25-30 lakh children between two and five years in urban India. Therefore, there is a scope for 25,000 preschools. Looking at a bagful of opportunities, franchisors are modifying their expansion plans.

`There are a number of companies offering franchises in India. Some of these franchises require an investment to the tune of over five lakhs. In addition, they charge a fixed fee on a monthly basis for every child enrolled in the preschool.

Although, the money charged by the franchises is big, the good thing is that the parent company helps in setting up the entire infrastructure of the preschool. Furniture and equipment are also provided by the franchise, along with a short training in running the business.

Another advantage is that the new preschool gets instant reputation because of the franchise brand. Parents trust franchise name more easily. So basically, the new journey of the school is not a start from scratch.

“Preschool education in India has gained immense importance over the past years due to increased awareness and affordability among parents. Further, increasing competition in education is prompting parents to plan their children’s future from early childhood’, says Preeti Bhandary, founder and CEO of Little Elly preschool.

A preschool should have the following pre-requisite features to establish its name in preschool market:

Irrespective of whether it is a franchise or your own preschool, space is a primary requisite for opening a preschool. The location for preschool also matters.

A quality infrastructure is important. This constitutes classrooms, play area, washrooms, pantry and offi ce. The space need not be very large but must be adequate and well ventilated. The interior can be simple but has to be convenient for the kids and of good quality. A colorful interior is recommended for preschools. Cleanliness, hygiene and safety are also important.

A complete and clear documentation is expected from every preschool. These could be sanction letters from the bank, approvals and licenses from the authorities or curriculum approvals from the education board. Every single paper should be approved and maintained for records.

The staff whether teaching or non-teaching, needs to be experienced, trained and genuinely interested in spending time with the kids.

Excellent content, curriculum and programme design After school activities.
Customised learning methodologies to various acts of life. The framework of fees versus the facilities must be transparent. A schedule for interaction with parents from time to time regarding academics and administration is important.