Getting into a good school is now as difficult a task as admissions to the prestigious IITs and IIMs, feel many an exasperated parents of preschoolers, after going through a long drawn out and tense admission process for admitting their child in a good school.
Due to this competitive nature, most preschool education has been reduced to virtual coaching centres where children are put through numerous tests, exams, and made to identify plants and animals.This is the mindset that Arvind Mishra and his team have set out to change at Apples N Cherries playschool in Bangalore. He says, “In India, there is no set curriculum at the preschool level and some of them operate as virtual coaching centres .”
How was Apples n Cherries born? “After graduating from IIM Kolkata, I was working in a marketing job in the U.K. for more than 10 years. The idea to start a preschool was conceived many years ago, but it was put into practice only two years ago when I found like-minded people. ”
He adds, “Preschool years are very important for the complete development of the child. We want to ensure that the children have a holistic development at academic and non-academic levels. Also, lot of time to play. ”
Apples n Cherries also offers day care facilities and organises trips outside the city . “Such activities help both parents and students. Most parents are involved with work and are often concerned with keeping their children preoccupied during vacations.”
Arvind contends: “Since preschooling is completely private in India, it is important to ensure that children are equipped with the skills that help them make a smooth transit into school education .” The school is located away from the main roads and the traffic, which is fast becoming a way of life in this metropolis. “It was a conscious decision to set up the school in a quieter locality. It is important to provide a serene atmosphere for the children”
Apples n Cherries is located at 216, 6th main road, ST Bed area, Koramangala.
