Early childhood education is crucial for every child as it lays the groundwork for learning, health, nutrition, and social-emotional development. It enhances brain receptivity and opens up numerous possibilities, allowing children to engage in enriching experiences. While parents are critically valuing this and the awareness is growing around early childhood education, its market is also plummeting with the increasing urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and a growing demand for professional childcare services from working parents and nuclear families. Amidst the various recognized preschools in India, Iris Early Years is a fast-growing preschool that aims to enhance the vitality of early childhood education.

Iris Early Years, an upscale preschool located in Hyderabad, is a flagship franchise center of the Iris Florets Group, which launched in 2024. The Iris Florets Group operates over 100 schools across India, Nepal, and Uganda. For the seventh consecutive year, it has been awarded the title of ‘No. 1 Franchise Model Preschool’ by The Times of India Preschool Rankings in Hyderabad. The group is also highly regarded for its performance in safety and hygiene, innovative teaching methods, and experiential learning.

The name ‘Iris’ symbolizes a range of possibilities, reflecting the school’s commitment to a safe and nurturing educational environment. Iris Early Years emphasizes the holistic development of children aged one and a half to six, focusing not only on academics but also on all essential areas of growth. Anusha Manikonda, Director, Iris Early Years states, “Children absorb a vast amount of information and experiences that will influence their lives”. With a background in chemical and environmental engineering and an MBA in Global Business, Anusha founded Iris Early Years to provide her daughter and others with the best opportunities for growth.

The Exclusiveness of Pedagogical Infrastructure
Iris Early Years follows the Iris International Early Years (IIEYC) curriculum which is based on the renowned child centric Reggio Emilia approach. This curriculum closely resembles the inquiry-based learning approach and aligns with various educational frameworks in India. It emphasizes the 360-degree development of each child, recognizing that every child has unique learning techniques and paces.

The preschool’s curriculum is designed to accommodate these diverse learning styles. Activities are tailored based on each child’s behavior and learning progress. For instance, the curriculum includes specific learning objectives for various age groups, ranging from one and a half to six years old. At certain ages, children are expected to achieve specific milestones. For example, by around two years old, they should be able to orally identify objects and recognize colors, shapes, and numbers.

By the age of four, they should be able to trace letters and numbers. Additionally, the curriculum focuses on various developmental domains, including physical, personal, and international dimensions. The

international aspect is crucial, as it helps children adapt to different cultures, particularly if they study abroad in the future. To facilitate this, the preschool celebrates international festivals and introduces children to diverse cultures and races. It also focuses on sustainable developmental goals (SDG).

Iris Early Years offers four programs, namely Playgroup, Nursery, PP1, and PP2 (referred to as Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4). One significant aspect that sets it apart from other preschools is its infrastructure. Iris Early Years boasts a dedicated playground of about 10,000 square feet, allowing children to enjoy at least 30 minutes of outdoor play each day. The preschool also holds assemblies and outdoor activities, which are unique compared to most preschools in Hyderabad.

Furthermore, Iris Early Years provides dedicated areas for music and a life skill activities room equipped with various teaching tools. In this room, children learn essential life skills through hands-on experiences, such as using a washing machine, an oven, and a cooking station for fireless cooking. Children as young as two are encouraged to remove their shoes, put them away, and manage their own water bottles, marking important milestones in their development. The classrooms are spacious, measuring 1,500 square feet each, providing children with ample room to play and learn freely rather than confining them to small spaces. The preschool prioritizes free play and includes multiple learning zones within each classroom, such as a library area, ball pit, and art and craft zone. Lastly, the preschool adopts play-based learning and differentiated instruction methods to meet the diverse needs of all children. Collaborative learning is also a key component, featuring group and team activities that expose children to various experiences.

The Emphasis on Inclusiveness & Safety
Iris Early Years focuses on creating an inclusive environment for students from diverse backgrounds, helping them adapt to different cultures. The facility has child-friendly furniture and tools, with access to stairs and elevators restricted to adults or supervised children, and safely cordoned-off playgrounds. Trained staff and security personnel ensure childcare safety, and the campus is monitored by CCTV. Unlike many preschools, Iris Early Years offers transportation for students too, easing drop-off and pick-up for working parents.

The support from the Iris corporate office significantly enhances recruitment, training, and curriculum development at Iris Early Years. Anusha states, “Our teachers are the very foundation of Iris Early Years”. The recruitment process emphasizes not just educational qualifications but also teachers’ empathy. Moreover, the comprehensive training provided covers child safety, creating an emotionally supportive ‘no punishment zone’. Iris Early Years maintains a teacher-student ratio of one to eight, improving to one to five for children aged one and a half to three. Especially, what sets it apart from others is its ERP & mobile application that provides parents with daily updates through multimedia content, showcasing their child’s activities both in the classroom and extracurriculars.

Growth & Future Roadmap
Iris Early Years aspires to keep growing, focusing on the overall development of each child in the best possible way. Henceforth, it is thrilled about new collaborations, notably with Ananya Child Development Center. This collaboration provides access to a multi disciplinary team of pediatric specialists, including child psychologists, therapists, and nutritionists, who will enhance developmental support for children.

To offer classroom support, extensive training will be provided for both teaching and non-teaching staff, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for kids. “We are also in touch with trainers for the introduction of more extracurricular activities. We are excited for the upliftment in infrastructure by creating a STEM lab, and catering our children’s exceptional ways of exploration”, signs off Anusha.