.png){kind=logo}
Shweta Aneja
Founder & Director
Cut to the present, today’s parents are aware of the benefits of a good foundation in the preschool age and want a program that nurtures a child holistically. Catering the same and more, Bangalore based Kids Castle Preschool endeavours to lay down a strong and holistic foundation in this contemporary world.
The Most Loving and Most Loved Pre-school
It is certain to say that we have lost the purpose of educating a child by following rote learning. However the education industry is witnessing a shift towards more practical and holistic learning instead of following just books. This needs to go deep into the roots as early as the kids start their formal education. Hence, today’s preschools have diversified for the better and are strengthening their curriculum via deep research and thought that goes into creating curriculums that are designed to fit the needs of the future. From the basic Montessori to the customized Kindergarten curriculums,schools like Kids Castle are enabling a new theme of learning for the kids.
Experiential is surely gaining a step above the rest where learning through doing is enabling better recall in the kids. But despite schools turning into smart classes, the preschool prefers going tech less so that kids can enjoy their childhood with real things around them and real people that create real experiences.
The school handholds its students through the entire process of learning and even prepares them for the next big step in their education. Their strong foundation is what is creating this magic and enabling a new era of bright minds that are well-prepared for tomorrow, while they are spreading this knowledge plinth through 75+ centres and 500+ teachers in Bangalore alone.
Kids Castle Preschool aims to make every day a learning day, filled with new and wonderful experiences to help young learners find what interests and inspires them. The school prides itself on providing high quality preschool education with daycare amenities and service in a warm, nurturing environment. “We understand that choosing the right centre to fit a child’s needs is an important decision and we strive to meet the expectations. Our programs are carefully researched and thoughtfully taught and we approach every day with a sense of imagination, innovation and fun to help young children learn comfortably and confidently.
Every curriculum includes a variety of interesting and inspiring activities to stimulate early brain development with a focus on creative play. We encourage a love of learning through working and playing with others. Our children have fun while they learn and we make sure that the children get the most out of their experiences at school. At Kids Castle Preschool, our beautiful and modern facilities provide each child with the ability to learn and grow physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally,” the school exclaims.
The Visionaries behind Kids Castle
Women have left no area untouched when it comes to holding leadership chairs. Whether it is the corporate world or politics, 21st century women can be found everywhere, displaying a statement to the world that they are second to none. Especially the education sector has emerged to be ruled by women. From being the first teacher to her child to grooming the lives of hundreds and thousands of kids, women never fail to bring something different to shaping individuals. Among such praiseworthy personalities, Shweta Aneja the Founder and Director of Kids Castle PreSchool is transforming how early education is perceived in India.
Sharing her story, Shweta says “I was born in a well educated family that believes in egalitarianism. My mom runs her own formal school in Delhi and I have been fortunate to take up leadership roles there . After gaining over six years of exposure, I moved to Bangalore. Years passed by, but my passion for educating never faded. In 2011, I took the plunge to start Kids Castle Preschool creating a dream place for children where they are loved.”
Shweta has over 18 years of experience in managing schools and early childhood education and care. Her passion and unique teaching skills are the backbones of Kids Castle Preschool’s strong foundation and highly effective curriculum.
The Teaching Philosophy
At “At Kids Castle Preschool, we understand that every child is unique and has different learning styles. Therefore, we first focus on training the teachers on understanding the kids, how to handle the different scenarios, how to behave with a child (for instance, pointing fingers or staring is also not permitted), and more. It is crucial for us to build a good bond of trust with the child. That being said, not just during the initial days of an academic year but throughout the year, we spend around 15 minutes in the morning and evening interacting with each child at an individual level. Speaking of curriculum, we have an integrated curriculum following both Kindergarten and Montessori approaches. With this unique blend approach, Kids Castle addresses the overall holistic learning of a child encompassing all growth areas required for child development. Also, during the settling time, which is the first 15 to 20 days of joining, we keep the parents involved in the process. We share videos and pictures of the child getting along with the environment so that the parents need not worry”, shares Shweta.
All the teachers at Kids Castle are Nursery Teachers’ Training certified or B.Ed. graduated, who also undergo inhouse Nursery Teachers’ Training by Kids Castle. The school is associated with AISSE, Delhi to provide diploma certifications as well.
Anuj Aneja, the co-founder remarks, “We have an inhouse Curriculum Team of seven members, and do not buy from providers. Our team looks out into the curriculum holistically, right from play group to UKG, while Shweta engages actively in curriculum creation. We do not hold the curriculum for years but change them every year while looking for changes and new methodologies. Our student’s parents are extremely satisfied and we proudly say that none of them opts out of school in a year or midway. Most of them stay with us till UKG because of our progressive curriculum.”
He further adds, “We operate in dual mode, where we have company owned centres managed by us. Also, franchisee operated centres, unlike brands that operate only on franchise model focusing only on adding more centers.”
Learning Doesn’t Happen in the Boundaries
It is not only a beautiful, colourful cheerful, and well ventilated campus, but a careful one as well. The school has padded flooring, artificially grassed play grounds, and lightweight doors, ensuring that the kids are safe to play and fall too. “We do not make the children sit in a room and study, every corner of the school is utilized from the library to puppet theatre, stage area, and more. Moreover, we do not believe in forceful learning we allow them to explore and settle before gradual discipline training.
With a student to teacher ratio of 15:2(senior professional in their field and assistant teachers) plus a helper, we keep an eagle eye on kids’ habits and behaviour because they tend to easily pick up the bad habits from other children. However, we create a happy environment and not a fearful environment with negative motivations to enforce disciple. For example, instead of stating negative phrases like “I won’t give you the chocolate if you don’t do it”, we use positive motivations like “I will give you two chocolates if you do it”. We impose the right to do it again and again until the child understands.
Covid had put our plans on pause but all of our centres including franchises were operating during the pandemic. For the next two years, we would like to add more centres to reach the mark of 100 centres and then move to other cities of the country like Hyderabad and Pune. Beyond numbers, a happy place for kids is what we always vouch for”, they concluded.
Women have left no area untouched when it comes to holding leadership chairs. Whether it is the corporate world or politics, 21st century women can be found everywhere, displaying a statement to the world that they are second to none. Especially the education sector has emerged to be ruled by women. From being the first teacher to her child to grooming the lives of hundreds and thousands of kids, women never fail to bring something different to shaping individuals. Among such praiseworthy personalities, Shweta Aneja the Founder and Director of Kids Castle PreSchool is transforming how early education is perceived in India.
Sharing her story, Shweta says “I was born in a well educated family that believes in egalitarianism. My mom runs her own formal school in Delhi and I have been fortunate to take up leadership roles there . After gaining over six years of exposure, I moved to Bangalore. Years passed by, but my passion for educating never faded. In 2011, I took the plunge to start Kids Castle Preschool creating a dream place for children where they are loved.”
Beyond Numbers, A Happy Place For Kids Is What We Always Vouch For
Shweta has over 18 years of experience in managing schools and early childhood education and care. Her passion and unique teaching skills are the backbones of Kids Castle Preschool’s strong foundation and highly effective curriculum.
The Teaching Philosophy
At “At Kids Castle Preschool, we understand that every child is unique and has different learning styles. Therefore, we first focus on training the teachers on understanding the kids, how to handle the different scenarios, how to behave with a child (for instance, pointing fingers or staring is also not permitted), and more. It is crucial for us to build a good bond of trust with the child. That being said, not just during the initial days of an academic year but throughout the year, we spend around 15 minutes in the morning and evening interacting with each child at an individual level. Speaking of curriculum, we have an integrated curriculum following both Kindergarten and Montessori approaches. With this unique blend approach, Kids Castle addresses the overall holistic learning of a child encompassing all growth areas required for child development. Also, during the settling time, which is the first 15 to 20 days of joining, we keep the parents involved in the process. We share videos and pictures of the child getting along with the environment so that the parents need not worry”, shares Shweta.
All the teachers at Kids Castle are Nursery Teachers’ Training certified or B.Ed. graduated, who also undergo inhouse Nursery Teachers’ Training by Kids Castle. The school is associated with AISSE, Delhi to provide diploma certifications as well.
Anuj Aneja, the co-founder remarks, “We have an inhouse Curriculum Team of seven members, and do not buy from providers. Our team looks out into the curriculum holistically, right from play group to UKG, while Shweta engages actively in curriculum creation. We do not hold the curriculum for years but change them every year while looking for changes and new methodologies. Our student’s parents are extremely satisfied and we proudly say that none of them opts out of school in a year or midway. Most of them stay with us till UKG because of our progressive curriculum.”
He further adds, “We operate in dual mode, where we have company owned centres managed by us. Also, franchisee operated centres, unlike brands that operate only on franchise model focusing only on adding more centers.”
Learning Doesn’t Happen in the Boundaries
It is not only a beautiful, colourful cheerful, and well ventilated campus, but a careful one as well. The school has padded flooring, artificially grassed play grounds, and lightweight doors, ensuring that the kids are safe to play and fall too. “We do not make the children sit in a room and study, every corner of the school is utilized from the library to puppet theatre, stage area, and more. Moreover, we do not believe in forceful learning we allow them to explore and settle before gradual discipline training.
With a student to teacher ratio of 15:2(senior professional in their field and assistant teachers) plus a helper, we keep an eagle eye on kids’ habits and behaviour because they tend to easily pick up the bad habits from other children. However, we create a happy environment and not a fearful environment with negative motivations to enforce disciple. For example, instead of stating negative phrases like “I won’t give you the chocolate if you don’t do it”, we use positive motivations like “I will give you two chocolates if you do it”. We impose the right to do it again and again until the child understands.
Covid had put our plans on pause but all of our centres including franchises were operating during the pandemic. For the next two years, we would like to add more centres to reach the mark of 100 centres and then move to other cities of the country like Hyderabad and Pune. Beyond numbers, a happy place for kids is what we always vouch for”, they concluded.
