| What you see - This Pune Children's Center is housed | | | | better understanding of the local languages. After the |
| in a beautiful old colonial bungalow surrounded by | | | | initial learning lessons where basics of alphabets and |
| abundant foliage and creepers. It is a true delight at | | | | numbers are taught, they are given some kitchen |
| first sight. The school has two levels. On the ground | | | | replica toys. We saw some boys rolling chapattis like |
| level is the playgroup class while on the first level is the | | | | their moms and girls preparing tea for their teachers. |
| mini kindergarten and toddlers' class. Every classroom | | | | Kids are also potty-trained in these classes. |
| is decorated with posters and the walls are painted | | | | The mini kindergarten classroom is the biggest and the |
| with popular cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse, | | | | most brightly decorated of all. This class involves |
| Winnie the Pooh, alphabets and numbers. In spite of its | | | | activities which would help them to adapt easily to the |
| proximity to the busy Deccan Gymkhana, this place | | | | bigger schools. They are taught to handle creative |
| seems blissfully devoid of noise and pollution. | | | | toys, building blocks, drawing, matching alphabets, |
| What you get - This Pune Children's Centre was | | | | stamp craft and more. The books for all of this are |
| started by Neelima Ranade who is the principal and | | | | prepared by the teachers. They even have a library of |
| owner of the school. She has vast experience in | | | | 500 books where the kids are read stories. These |
| teaching and also holds a child psychology degree | | | | classes are from Monday to Friday from 9 AM to |
| from America. The center has four programs to offer. | | | | 11.30 AM. Every Friday they have a sing-a-song routine |
| The first being the toddler group which is for kids in the | | | | where the kids sing their nursery rhymes to the tune |
| age group of 15 months to 2 years. This is a stage of | | | | of their music teacher's instruments like the tabla or the |
| transition from homes to the first school experience, so | | | | harmonium. This session brings in a lot of joy to the |
| the focus is to get kids accustomed to the school | | | | young minds. |
| environment. The kids are assisted with their mothers | | | | The last program is the young achievers' program for |
| who are a part of the various games and learning | | | | kids between the ages of four and six years. It is an |
| exercises. We noticed some kids who were trying to | | | | after-school nurturing program which involves instilling |
| scoop sand from the ground into their buckets with the | | | | manners, playing interesting games, encouraging |
| help of teachers. We were informed that this helps in | | | | reading habits and more. Neelima Ranade believes that |
| motor co-ordination and concentration of the child. | | | | till the age of six years children have a strong grasping |
| Classes takes place on alternate days - Monday, | | | | power and the things learnt at this tender age remain |
| Wednesday and Friday - from 10 AM to 11 AM. | | | | with them forever. This extra-curricular program is |
| Then we had a glimpse of the play group class for | | | | from 4 PM to 5.30 PM on Monday, Tuesday and |
| age group of two years and above. These classes | | | | Thursday. |
| take place between Mondays and Fridays from 9.15 | | | | Our verdict - The school does not believe in a fixed |
| AM to 11.15 AM. The class starts with traditional | | | | curriculum. So there is newness in their programs on a |
| prayers like the Gayatri Mantra or Saraswati Puja. We | | | | continuous basis. Their motto is to bring fun and |
| were told that other than the regular English rhymes | | | | learning together and the school does seem like an |
| they are taught Hindi and Marathi songs to give them a | | | | extension of home. |