A select sample of bhadralok has rated Prarambh, B.T. Road as Kolkata’s most preferred pre-school on seven out of ten parameters with an aggregate score of 90 out of a maximum 110
In the inaugural EW-C fore Survey of India’s Most Preferred Pre-schools 2010, Prarambh, B.T. Road, has topped the list of Kolkata’s best pre-schools with an aggregate score of 90 out of a maximum 110. A select sample of 198 SECA parents and 52 principals/teachers in Kolkata, rated and ranked Prarambh first on seven out of ten parameters including competence of faculty, individual attention to students, infrastructure, value for money and innovative teaching. Founded in 2005 by the Kolkata-based RDB Group of Industries (estb.1991), one of eastern India’s leading real estate companies, Prarambh is a feeder pre-school of the RDB group’s CISCE-affiliated class I-X Aryan School.
“We are delighted that Prarambh has been top-ranked by parents and the teachers community in Kolkata. Since inception, our objective has been to offer individualised, enjoyable educa-tion to pre-schoolers in a happy environment. Therefore it’s specially gratifying that we have been ranked first on the parameters of teacher compet-ence, individual attention to students and innovative teaching. Moreover, we have been justifiably ranked first on the parameter of infrastructure provision as we have invested heavily in providing modern play equipment and sophis-ticated teaching aids which facilitate motor and cognitive development of children. Now with Prarambh, B.T. Road firmly established as Kolkata’s premier pre-school, we have promoted three other centres at Ballygunge, Haldia and Kharagpur and are looking at expanding our operations across West Bengal,” says Jitendra Jain, director of Prarambh which boasts 250 students instructed by 25 teachers. Also rated No.1 on the parameter of value for money, Prarambh’s tuition fees are a modest Rs.1,500 per month.
Ranked second in the league table of Kolkata’s most preferred pre-schools is EuroKids, Salt Lake (total score: 86). One of few pre-schools countrywide to be owned, administered and managed by the parent company — the Mumbai-based EuroKids International Ltd — EuroKids, Salt Lake (EKSL, estb.2007) is ranked second overall and No.1 on the parameters of safety and hygiene, leadership quality and special needs education. “It’s very encouraging that EKSL is highly ranked and appreciated by the parents’ community. However I’m disappointed that we have been ranked second on the vital parameter of competence of teachers as we place special emphasis on teacher selection and training, with all teachers receiving constant in-service training and guidance. But I’m happy that ESKL has been ranked first for safety and hygiene, leadership quality and special needs education. These are crucial for creating an enabling learning environment in which children can freely express themselves and explore,” says Navnit Daniel Alley, the Kolkata-based regional manager of EuroKids International Ltd, which has 19 pre-schools in the city (tuition fees: Rs.17,000-22,000 per year), including EuroKids, Lake Town which has been ranked 17th.
As in the other five cities where the pre-schools survey was conducted, the top 10 table in Kolkata is dominated by franchisee pre-schools of well-known national brands. At No. 5 is I Play I Learn, Salt Lake, a franchisee of NAKS (estb.2009), a Mumbai-based company with 75 pre-schools across the country; No. 6 is Kangaroo Kids, Alipore while Kidzee, Jodhpur Park is at No.7 followed by Roots to Wings, Salt Lake (8) and Kidzee Tulip, Dover Lane (9). This pattern follows into the 11-20 rankings list as well (see table).
Quite obviously with middle and upper middle class parents in Kolkata as in other A cities becoming aware of the vital importance of foundational education delivered by professional pre-school education providers, the popularity of neighbourhood play schools promoted by bored housewives and amateur early child care educationists is waning rapidly.
“My daughter attended Kangaroo Kids, New Alipore for two years and I’m very happy with the outcome. It was a fun, non-stressful learning experience for her and most important, parents were encouraged to participate in all school activities. I believe this formative education has given her the confidence and grounding required for formal school education,” says Smita Roy Choudhury, a Kolkata-based freelance dietician whose daughter Anoushka is currently a class I student of the city’s Modern High School.
Kolkata's best pre-schools league table userfiles/Kolkata league table.pdf
Parameters of Excellence: Kolkata's Top Pre-schools userfiles/Parameters tables-Kolkata.pdf