There’s a saying that goes: “Catch them young & watch them grow”. This hold true as we know that learning begins in the womb. Prenates can see, hear, feel, remember & think before birth. The fetal learning capabilities are much more specific than we thought. And by 2-3 years, a child’s brain has about 200 trillion nerve cell connections, which is twice the number of an adult’s. Thus during these first three years of life, the foundations of thinking, languages, visions, attitudes, aptitudes & other characteristics are laid down. However in today’s fast paced world where sometimes both parents are working, they are unable to, make the most of these formative years. That’s where playgroups & nurseries come in, they help promote young children’s development through play experiences as well as provide an opportunity for parents to build supportive networks, make friends & share experiences with other parents.
Windchimes (Hill Road)
Located just opposite St. Andrews Church on Hill Road, Windchimes follows the play-way method incorporated with ideas from Montessori, modified to meet children’s requirements. This method helps children step out of their home & familiar surroundings & learn among a different set of people, who include kids & teachers. Since the play-way method is a flexible one based on a child’s interest & aptitude it encourages complete freedom of expression. It also is one of the very few schools in the area which has open space which is a massive bonus for the kids to run around & a splash pool in the hot summer months.
Kangaroo Kids (Prof Almeida Park Road)
Formerly located at Pali Hill, this play school needs no introduction. Their curriculum is based on active and experiential learning. By using innovative teaching methods, they elevate action-based learning to the next stage. They have play school from 1.6 to 2.5, nursery from 2.6 to 3.5, as well as Junior K.G. and Senior K.G. from 3.6 to 4.5 and 4.6 to 5.5 years respectively. At Kangaroo Kids the teachers help children learn as opposed to teaching them. All of their classes have CCTVs installed.
Kinder Home Montessori (Hill Road)
Fascinated by the Montessori concept and wish to put your child in one. Kinder Home Montessori is then the right place for you, it’s a private Montessori school located in Diamond Palace, opposite Bandra Police Station, for children aged 1.5 years to 6 years. They offer two programmes, Toddler Program: (from 15 to 30 months) and the Primary Program: (from 2.6 to 6 years). The classroom is designed around the children’s specific needs and abilities that allow them to explore and learn at their own pace and on their own terms. Kinder Home offers a recognized, top quality approach that parents can rely on to educate their children. Its diversified program helps to promote intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth.
Safari Kid (Pali Hill)
This international pre-school boasts of an accelerated learning program, developed over ten years in Silicon Valley, places the focus on mainly cognitive, language, and communication skill development of the child. The program incorporates practices from Reggio-Emilia, Waldorf (Steiner), and Montessori teaching methods to foster creativity and imagination, personal, emotional and social development, skills in the creative arts and gross and fine motor skills in each child. The three pillars of their program ensure that all of the developmental objectives are met in a fun, caring, nurturing environment, and at a pace that every child is individually comfortable with.
As parents we want the best for our children and this decision can become a make or break for child’s attitude towards school. So it is an important decision which requires considerable thought & effort put into it. Here are some points that you must consider before finalizing a preschool:
- Age policy of the school about admission
- Reputation of school
- Distance from your home
- If other kids from your area school there
- Infrastructure and safety standards
- Facilities provided
- Curriculum followed by the school
- Timing for the school
- Student teacher ratio
Choose wisely. Nurseries, playgroups & preschools are to give them an introduction to school like environment.
Nolencia Pereira
