Give Your Child the Right Education from an Early Age: A Quick Guide on How to Choose a Preschool in India (2020)

Identifying a preschool is quite a daunting task since it is the stepping stone for formal education. As a parent, you are looking for schools that get the children ready for a school setup while kindling their creative energy. Be sure to ask these questions before you enrol your child.

As you get into selecting preschools, you quickly realise that there are much more to preschools including different curriculums and diverse teaching methods. There are major curriculums in India with varying levels of popularity. All these curriculums discourage tests and assessments.

Montessori was developed by the Italian physician and educator, Maria Montessori. Montessori schools have a child-centered education where the teachers guide the children to learn at their own pace. The Montessori curriculum promotes hands-on learning and fosters the child's creativity. Parents are also encouraged to let the children do simple tasks at home.

The children are usually in a multi-age grouping with older and younger children in the same group. Kids of all ages are encouraged to learn from one another. Teachers in such schools should have an undergraduate or graduate degree specializing in childhood development and Montessori certification.

Waldorf curriculum is based on the teachings by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. It discourages the use of media in learning, nor do they give homework or tests. The kids spend a lot of time outside and engage in free play, creative play, and group activities. The teachers encourage individualism and discover the child's innate ability. The children are then guided accordingly.

The Waldorf approach follows topic-based learning, where the same topic is taught across all subjects. The children get involved in practical activities and cultivate an interest in learning. This curriculum is not famous in India. Less than 1% of preschools follow the curriculum. The teachers should be Waldorf certified. They are also actively involved in school management.

The Reggio Emilia was developed in the 1940s in Italy by the teachers and parents in the region. It focuses on the child's emotional and social development. It also encourages self-exploration and self-expression. There is no defined curriculum, and the classroom progresses depending on the child's interests.

The education is mostly child-led, and the children learn through art and activities depending on their interests. Teachers take on the mentor role guiding the children to explore the world around them. Parents are expected to be involved in their child's education. Since the curriculum is tailor-made depending on the children, there is no formal structure or certification for the teachers.

Playway is one of the most famous curriculums in India, with every other school adopting the curriculum. It is based on the theories of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. But since how much of the learning is play-based varies, it is up to the parent to investigate and decide for themselves. In the PlayWay approach, the teachers get down with the children and engage in activities. There is no set curriculum for the PlayWay approach. Usually, preschools in India use this in conjunction with other curriculums. It encourages holistic learning where no child is left behind.

Before finalizing the preschool for your little one, here are a few questions you should ask the school. The answers for these are vital to your child's development and your interests.