No child’s play

Bringing up a child is no mean task, especially with the rising cost of education. With parents wanting to give their children the best education, finding a competitive institute has indeed become a challenge. When we say this, we are not referring to higher education – it all starts from pre school level. Once a child reached the age of two, we see parents rushing to enroll them in the best playschool/nursery in the vicinity. Entrepreneurs with a keen eye for business are tapping the source with unprecedented glee. Playschools, kiddies’ corners and nurseries are springing up at every street corner. The fees charged by established brands ranges between Rs 1,500 – Rs 3,500/month. This is subject to the location and size of the school. Smaller playschools down the lane charge anywhere between Rs1,000 – Rs 1,500 a month. All this adds up to a crazy annual educational expenditure for a one-and-half or two year old. Now the question is this really necessary? Explore Prajodh Rajan , vice president, Eurokids International, says, “It is a well researched fact that children learn the most in the first five years of their life, and hence it is very important during these formative years to provide the right stimulation and environment. Research has also proved that 50 per cent of the adult intelligence is developed in the first five years and 90 per cent of the brain pattern is set in this period. Hence, it is our view and recommendation that children should join the playschool/nursery at the age of two.” The reasons for the disparity in fees between small playschools and branded ones are manifold. The Jack and Jills and Humpty Dumptys, which have sprung up almost everywhere, provide just the basic necessities for a tiny-tot. Whereas in an expensive yet good playschool the focus is on the comfort level of the child, who is taught in a spacious playroom with scientifically designed age-appropriate equipment and ideal teacher-child ratio.

Most branded playschools have their own teacher training programmes specifically designed for the methodology of study undertaken. According to Nitya Ramaswami, Zee Interactive Learning Systems Ltd - the brand promoters of the ‘Kidzee’ playschool frachaise, “We provide a child-friendly, stimulating environment and highly trained and motivated teachers with imported state-of-the-art equipment in all our playgroups - whether they are in the metros or at the gramhin level. We also use a bilingual approach in villages so that the child understands what is being taught.” Parents speak With more than 550 centres and a variant and reasonable annual fee structure ranging from Rs 6,000 to Rs 36,000, depending on the specific location and affordability factor at each of the 250 outlets, ‘Kidzee’ is one of the most sought after schools at the pre-primary level. “It all boils down to the question of whether the parent wants an air-conditioned atmosphere with high-tech audio-visual educational tools or just a cozy environment for the child to mix around and play with toddlers of the same age group,” says Monica Shah, the mother of a nursery student. Parents seem to have a diverse view on what they want for their child. There are many who are driven to admit their toddlers in playschools with a brand name, as generally such kids getting admission in good schools later is much easier. Others choose them for the innovative methodology of teaching and the tag of exclusivity.

Madhavi, who has just secured admission for her son in a good ICSE school in the suburbs says, “For me it was a question of getting my son admitted in the best school in the vicinity. I did not want him to be unprepared for the interactive session (interview) with the principal. So I chose the best - though expensive - branded playschool near my home. It worked.” For Sheila Dias who is planning to enroll her daughter in a branded playschool down the road, the location is more important, as she does not want her toddler to travel a lot. “For me, the idea is basically to make her feel comfortable and enjoy the company of other kids. After all she is just two. At the same time, if she is able to get her fun in a clean and hygienic environment, I don’t mind spending for it.”