They play a pivotal role in a child’s early development, helping them build a strong foundation for future learning. These institutions foster social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development through age-appropriate activities, interactive learning, and play. Play schools also introduce children to a structured environment, easing the transition to formal schooling.
During a recent engaging with Vandana Jindal, Chairperson of Jindal’s Mother Care, Dwarka, New Delhi – she emphasized the role of play schools in nurturing young minds. She responded to a series of questions in a manner that was both engaging and enlightening. Here are her responses
Q1: As trending that all kids are going playway and nursery now but few years back there wasn’t this type of system so what do you think “is it better to give a child a play way and nursery classes before going to school (1st standard)?
Answer: The findings underscore a notable expansion in the Indian pre-school and childcare sector, driven by the increasing demand for early education and childcare services Preschool or childcare refers to a facility or program that provides care and education for young children, typically aged between three and five years. The play-way or play-based method of education believes in the ability of children to learn by themselves. There is no direct teaching, but the environment is carefully set up by teachers to ensure the child explores, questions, and understands the world around her. This philosophy largely applies to preschool and kindergarten children (3 to 5 years of age), when their development calls for plenty of explorative play, movement, and freedom. And also prepares them for formal education. Pre-schools provide a safe and caring environment, allowing children to explore, make friends, and learn through play. The experience gained in these early years is precious and sets the stage for a successful academic journey.
Q2: As a school what steps are better to take to give a better education to a child so the child can perform his better version?
Answer: To provide a child with the best education, schools should focus on a few key steps:
• Personalized Learning: Tailor education to individual needs.
• Critical Thinking: Promote problem-solving and creativity.
• Holistic Development: Encourage extracurricular activities.
• Nurturing Environment: Create a safe and supportive atmosphere.
• Parent Involvement: Engage parents in the child’s education.
• Adaptability: Stay current with evolving teaching methods.
• Technology Integration: Use technology to enhance learning.
• Strong Teacher-Student Relationship: Foster positive connections.
These steps enable students to reach their full potential and become their best selves.
Q3: What were the initial challenges and opportunities that your prep schools faced?
Answer: The initial challenges our prep schools faced included gaining parents’ trust in providing proper care and education for their young children and competing with established institutions. However, the advantage of having a senior campus school performing well for over a decade made it easier for us. Our teaching patterns, resources, and reputation could be leveraged to provide quality education and alleviate some of these challenges. We’re building on their natural curiosity and developing lifelong learners ready for whatever life will throw at them. The post-Covid world demands nothing less.