Factors to Consider While Choosing the Right Preschool

January 24, 2023
Factors to consider when choosing the right preschool

“Children bring more than their brains to School.” – Zingler. At Kara4kids, we take this pedagogy seriously! We consider children as little scientists, learning and exploring new things every day. At our preschool, we provide them with the ambiance to cater to all different types of learning. Be it kinesthetic, visual, auditory, or read and write. We understand that pre-schools are the first introduction for a kid to the outside world. The little pupil leaves the shadow of their parents and gets to experience a new environment for themselves. Hence, it is the responsibility of parents to select the best preschool in Bangalore. We are here to help you out with this crucial decision. We have jotted down the factors to consider while choosing the right preschool.

 

Choosing the Right Preschool for your child

    1.Teaching Pedagogy

Teachers are the second parents to the kid. Teachers’ actions and behavior set a framework for pupils to follow. Hence, when selecting the best preschool for your kids, your first priority should be the staff the school has.  Find out if the teachers have the necessary training and experience to work with young children like yours. Enrolling your child will give you peace of mind if you have complete faith in the faculty.

 

    2.Location

Another important factor while choosing the right preschool is the location where you want them to get quality education. If you want them to study at a central location, then there are plenty of options available in Bangalore. You want to go for a location within a radius of 2-3km so that toddlers don’t get tired in the back and forth from school. 

 

    3.Montessori approach

At Kara4kids, we follow a Montessori approach. The Montessori method aims to help kids reach their full potential by letting them learn at their own pace in an environment tailored to their specific developmental stages and learning styles. Children are encouraged to grow in confidence, self-awareness, and self-control so that they can mature into contributing members of society. As a result of its lack of protection as a trademark or patent and its lack of regulation, the Montessori method may be misrepresented as including methods that are not in line with the original approach.

 

    4.Methodology

Early childhood programs have varying pedagogical approaches. The ‘play way’ or ‘learning by doing’ approach is used in many of them. In addition, numerous preschools adopt pedagogical tenets popularized by the likes of Italian educator Maria Montessori, the American Montessori Society, the Reggio Emilia method, and many others.

Kara’s pedagogical approach is centered on the development of the whole child, and it reveals learning through the unfolding of processes that define and acknowledge knowledge and understanding. We highlight the significance of development maintenance, emphasizing the cognitive, affective, and psycho-motor domains and integrating all three to create a stance toward action that promotes learning and growth in these areas, along with an appreciation for them. Play permeates our classrooms and outside of them, fostering imaginative thought and teamwork; as a result, children develop and concentrate on learning that fortifies values and a skill-based quality.

 

     5.Age range

Your child’s age and developmental stage will also play an important role in deciding what type of preschool would suit them best. The younger they are when they start going to school, the less challenging it will be for them as they grow up. A good rule of thumb is that if your child is between 3-5 years old when they start going to preschool education after they turn 3 years old, then you should look into finding an early childhood center that caters mainly to toddlers between 2-5 years old. 

 

Montessori method of teaching

 

      6.Condition of Health and Sanitation

Daily deep cleaning, weekly maintenance schedules, regular replacement of learning resources, and environmental upgrades are just some of the ways that pre-school should ensure the cleanliness of each center.

To guarantee that Kara is home to the happiest children, SOPs are implemented and internal guidelines are followed concerning sick children, uniforms, meals, medications, weekly updates to parents, and partnerships with nearby medical facilities.

 

      7.Evaluation of the Institution’s Reputation

A school’s reputation is important regardless of whether it is conveniently close to your home. Can you trust this institution? How long have those in charge of the preschool been doing their jobs? But what about those who graduated in earlier classes? You can get a good idea of what the school is like by checking out its website, following its social media pages, and reading online reviews.

One of Kara’s proudest achievements is the 12-year history of children we’ve fostered. At Kara, you’ll find an inviting, supportive, and comfortable atmosphere.

 

       8.How long is a typical day?

The typical preschool day only lasts for three hours. Some preschools offer daycare facilities as well, i.e., extended hours where time is set aside for more home-like activities to accommodate families where both parents work outside the home (snacks in the morning and afternoon, an afternoon nap, quiet playing, lots of free play later in the day). Determine how much time you have before you have to make a decision.

 

        9.Nutrition

You should inquire as to the types of meals offered if the institution does, in fact, provide them. You can inform the school about alternatives if your child has an allergy. Children benefit from eating lunch with their peers because it encourages healthy eating habits and proper social development. Make sure the food is being served with clean equipment.

At Kara, we understand the importance of proper nutrition in a child’s formative years, and we can advise you on what to serve your kid at mealtime. We make everything, including our ketchup, from scratch, so you know it’s organic and made fresh every time. The meals are planned with a focus on nutritional balance, so they feature a variety of grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as some protein and dairy products. Each menu we create is reviewed and approved by a Clinical Child Nutritionist before being presented to the parents.

 

      10.Come see for yourself and get a feel for it

Do not second-guess your initial impressions when visiting a new school. Is there a sense of welcome and celebration? Get a full understanding of the facilities by taking a tour and paying close attention. Do the preschoolers’ drawings look too polished to have been made by kids their age? Do the pictures encourage creativity and play? These and other questions can be answered by looking at the school’s bulletin boards.

Whether or not you can afford a school’s tuition is one of many factors to consider, but it’s also one of the clearest choices you’ll have to make. You’ll have to adjust the other criteria until you find the preschool that’s the best fit for your child emotionally and academically.

Choosing the Right Preschool

Importance of Choosing the Right Preschool

While choosing the right preschool, you will have to keep in mind numerous factors. These factors would include the facilities and programs provided at the primary school, the teachers, the school’s location, the education program and curriculum offered, the ratio of students to teachers, etc. All this information can be taken from their official website or by speaking with a parent who has sent her child to that preschool.

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Kalpana Dass

Academic Development Head

Kalpana Dass is a dedicated educator and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in Early Childhood Care and Education. She holds a Master of Education with IB Educator Certificates (University of Bath , UK) and additional qualifications in Counseling Psychology (Northwestern University, Chicago), ECCE (Mumbai University) & Law (Government Law College, Mumbai).

Kalpana’s career is marked by significant achievements in establishing and managing early learning centres. She created and developed the Kangaroo Kids Pre-School brand in Bangalore, earning numerous accolades for innovation and excellence in education. She founded Tara Early Learning Centre, further demonstrating her commitment to nurturing young minds through high-quality educational frameworks.

As an Education Specialist, Kalpana has spearheaded various initiatives in a mentoring capacity with a focus on curriculum planning, professional development and quality assurance. Her roles at various organisations like Bhartiya city-Nikoo Homes, Presidency Group of Institutions and Kai EarlyYears highlight her capability in driving academic integration, advancement and operational excellence.

Kalpana’s ongoing research endeavours emphasize Innovative teaching strategies in the 21st century, the Function of play & Readiness in early years, Curriculum by backward design -amongst a few of the relevant topics today .

Her affiliations with Bombay University as a Lecturer, Professional National organisations(ECA), International early education organizations (NAEYC, LEGO Foundation, World Forum etc.,) and contributions to global conferences underscore her influence and thought leadership in the field.

Alongside a commitment to personal growth, her passion extends to promoting emotional wellness and positive intelligence in children, empowering them to navigate contemporary challenges effectively. Through her diverse roles and ongoing initiatives, Kalpana Dass continues to make a profound impact on early childhood education.

Sandeep U

CFO

Spearheading the finance, Sandeep is a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and has close to 10 years of experience in handling finance for various organizations. Having spent his career life in a CA firm, venture capitalist firm, real estate and in the garment industry, Sandeep is keen on implementing his knowledge and expertise at KARA to fuel the growth that we envision. He’s the true follower of the saying that “None of us are stronger than all of us” which has enabled him in achieving the KARA’s goal to build a most strong and consistent team. He was a part of setting up and implementing a complex business processes committee across multiple industries/sectors. In his journey at KARA he made sure that every ₹ spent on each square foot will have a direct and huge impact in every organization’s growth as even the biggest cloud is a large collection of very tiny droplets of water. He is a strong believer of money saved is money earned and is looking forward to starting this fast-paced ship.

Rukmini Padakadla

HR

 Meet Rukmini P, our esteemed Head of Human Resources, bringing in over 15 years of progressive experience in the field. As a seasoned leader, she has demonstrated her prowess in various aspects of Human Resources, including workforce management, recruitment, payroll, and policies/procedures development. Her exceptional expertise lies in sourcing and hiring top-notch talent, ensuring that our team comprises the industry’s best and brightest minds.

With a background in Science and a PG degree in English literature, along with a PG Diploma in Human Resources and Marketing, Rukmini exemplifies a highly skilled professional. Her unwavering commitment to driving our organization’s success through effective HR strategies and practices, particularly focusing on workforce management, sets her apart as a true asset to our team.



Sapna Erappa

Strategic Operations – Head

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do” – Steve Jobs

It is this belief that inspired Ms. Sapna Erappa to follow her passion, after a decade’s career in banking and finance. Her journey in Early Childhood Education began in 2010 and ever since she has worked with renowned preschools in Bangalore in various leadership roles over a span of 15 years. She holds a degree in Finance & Marketing and has wide exposure in Early Years Education. She has participated in a number of Early Childhood Conferences and IB workshops. 

In her current role as the Strategic Operations – Head at Kara4Kids, she has worked towards building a strong team, motivating them to ensure top-notch standards are maintained in the schools. She believes that a loving and happy environment not only helps children to learn while having fun but also brings the best out of the teachers. Ultimately, the aim is to ensure plenty of learning opportunities are offered to children to bring out their innate potential. Her goal is to create a balanced learning ecosystem where every stakeholder in the school community takes responsibility for the child’s learning journey. She firmly believes and hopes that the education system of today helps children to develop empathy, compassion, and resilience along with academic excellence.

MANAS MEHROTRA

CHIEF MENTOR

Manas Mehrotra is a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Bachelors of Law, MBA (Entrepreneurship) from Babson College (USA). The Founder of NestaVera Group of companies, Manas has his vision rooted in the core belief that the only thing constant in this dynamic business era is Change. He believes that the ongoing process of Brainstorming, Innovation, and Adaptation to change should always be the heart of any organisation that seeks economic and social success. He drives his workforce with a strong emphasis on inculcating faith and building long term strategic relationships with both clients and employees.

Manas has also played a pivotal role in the success of Greenwood High Schools. The institution has grown many folds with more than 9 National level Awards to its name in last 3 years under his leadership. Under his stewardship & unique approach to education, Greenwood High Schools have unparalleled achievements to their name in moulding the young minds of tomorrow. He believes in combining quality education with a proper blend of traditional values and the best that modern-day technology has to offer.

KHUSHROO RUSTUMJI

CHAIRMAN-EMERITUS

Khushroo Rustumji, an alumnus of IIT is the founder of Kara. Having been the Chairman of two companies listed on the BSE, a subsidiary of a Company listed on the London Stock Exchange and a Consultant to numerous national and international organizations, his tenure of work before establishing Kara spans a myriad of corporate experiences.

With a strong belief in how a good Preschool is the vital ingredient in building a Child’s Foundation, Rustumji and his wife envisioned Kara. Upon returning to India after having spent 21 years in the UK, they decided to establish the first pre-school with international standards in Bangalore, much to the delight of discerning parents here. This is how the tale of kara unravelled years ago under the stewardship of Rustumji.

PRACHI MEHROTRA

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Backed by their sheer hard work and talent, women entrepreneurs worldwide are changing the landscape across every industry. One such visionary in the field of early education is Prachi Mehrotra- Executive Director at Kara4kids. She is also the Director at NestaVera Group of Companies.

 After completing her formal education at a boarding school in Mussorie, Prachi moved to the UK to pursue her degree in Management studies at the University of Nottingham post which she returned to India to pursue her MBA in Finance & Marketing. Her enriching experience, exposure, and learning in these pivotal years taught her the art of adapting to different scenarios, pertaining to education, demographics, and cultures.She strongly believes in developing a culture of trust and transparency at the workplace, which will in turn facilitate the construction of an efficient, effective, productive, and valuable organization.

As an achiever of excellence in both academic and extra co- curricular fields, she reckons that curiosity to learn is the spark that should be the driving force of every organization. As a millenial mother to three children herself, she strongly beleives that early learning is where the root of knowledge begins to get founded for an individual, therefore it is imperative that equal importance be showered upon these nascent founding years of our children’s lives. She passionately envisions to create dynamic,explorative, nurturing – learning and childcare spaces where children fall in love with the joy of learning every day.
 As an Executive Director of Kara4Kids, she handles a multi- faceted role across various domains i.e. Operations, Marketing, Teaching Pedagogy, Expansion, Implementation of teaching interventions, and Management of all the preschool and child care centers. Her ever-dynamic approach and exuberance make her an exemplary leader.