October 14 is Vidyarambham, when children are initiated into the world of learning such as music, dance and letters. For play schools in the city, it is one of the busiest months with most of them announcing a slew of offers to enrol tiny tots. Many offer discounts for enrolling on the D-day, while others invite a celebrity to the centre. Educationists say parents should not be carried away by such advertisements. As there is no regulatory authority for play schools, parents must do their homework before enrolling a child.
It’s a busy week for Chettinad Foundation’s A School located at Anna Nagar East (I) Block. The three-year-old centre has parents who have booked for Vijaydashmi and some spend a few hours at the centre as a formality. “We already have seven admissions between the age group two-and-a-half and three-and-a-half for Vidyarambam. It is more than the previous years,” says Dipti Madan, centre head. Increasing hype about the day is one of the reasons many parents do not want to miss the auspicious start for their little one.
Dipti says none of its 15 franchisees in the city offer discounts for booking a seat on the day but they bring a personality from the education field on the occasion. He or she would write with the child on rice, flanked by the parents and grandparents. “It is a way to bless the child and wish he becomes like the chief guest,” Dipti reasons out.
Play school owners say Vijaydashmi is an important day for them as they get many bookings, and with child care centres mushrooming novelty draws parents.
The Kanchana Paati centres are having an open day every Saturday till October 12 as part of Vijaydashmi, inviting parents to visit its premises. It is also offering a discount in registration fee. Same with Amelio Child Care, that has announced admission discount and is offering free kit too.
Last year, Little Millennium at Nungambakkam had 25 students enrolled on Vijaydashmi and this year the number is likely to increase, says Manu Arun, paediatrician and a developmental consultant, who runs the centre.
“There are some who insist they will join only on the auspicious day. Those who are not that particular, we ask them to come in earlier to get a seat,” says Manu.
There are many who do not believe in observing Vidyarambam Day. For instance, Play-Coop, Adyar, says they observe the ceremony only for parents who request them. “Do not get carried away by the frills. Parents must visit the school to see if it’s a child-friendly environment, check the student-teacher ratio,” says Princess Naik, who has been in the field for over two decades.
