In the present times, when literacy is being highly emphasized, the foundational learning is extensively being enrooted through preschool education in institutionalized manner. Preschool education is not only vital for a child’s development across social emotional aspect, but also to enriching them with reading, communication, and cognitive skills in a fun learn manner. In India, the National Education Policy (NEP) has made three years of preschool education compulsory, emphasizing its importance in a child’s educational journey. This policy has led to improved teaching methods and the growth of organized institutions.

Makoons, a renowned preschool, is formally driving this growth. Founded in 2015 by Vijay Kumar Agarwal, it is one that qualitatively fosters early childhood learning in a safe environment, provided with personalized attention, and engaging learn-play activities. Vijay founded the school out of personal need to address the lack of quality in early childhood education he came across during his son’s preschool education. Vijay says, “I wanted to create something special that would stand out in the market”.

Vijay Kumar Agarwal’s transition from the corporate world into early childhood education is inspirational. Envisioning today’s children as tomorrow’s leadership icons, the school endeavors to equip the next generation with the skills and confidence necessary to navigate the real world from an early age. Considerably, the educational organization Makoons now has more than 300 centers spread across 82 cities within four countries backing over 15,000 children’s preschool education.

The Comprehensive Offerings for Early Learning

Makoons holds a deep understanding of India’s cultural and language diversity, and thus prioritizes high-quality curriculum development and training to deliver a consistent and effective educational experience to the children. The preschool realizes that it is quite challenging to channel the young energetic children’s fun into productive activities. Thereby, to do this exceptionally, it has inlaid strategic plans and partnered with esteemed institutions such as Trinity College, London, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in Boston, including other organizations in Europe, known for pioneering early childhood education.

The school has introduced five programs, including the Toddler Club, Playgroup, Nursery Classes, Junior KG, and Senior KG for early childhood learning at the center. Additionally, it has recently launched a primary wing, Makoons World School, which serves students from first to fifth grade. Last year, it opened seven new centers to accommodate this expansion into primary education. It stresses the holistic growth of children with a comprehensive approach that includes various aspects of development,

such as gross and fine motor skills, academic learning, and the child’s ability to understand new concepts. Also, here, the students are classified into three learning groups, namely Category One, Two, and Three, based on their learning needs, allowing teachers to tailor their instruction accordingly.

Makoons Preschool emphasizes learning beyond merely teaching the basics of letters and numbers. Its uniquely designed curriculum is termed ACMES, which skillfully integrates traditional teaching methods like reading and writing with innovative technologies, such as augmented reality and talking pens. “Our goal is to offer a universally applicable preschool education experience pan-India, introducing a curriculum that’s a unique blend of traditional teaching methods and modern techniques using augmented reality, talking pens, and a focus on vocabulary and communi-cation skills. This combination provides a well-rounded educational experience for children”, asserts Vijay.

Makoons’s goal is not only to prepare students for formal schooling but also to help every Makoonite become a good human being, equipped to face future challenges

Also, as adaptability is one of its key strengths, it designs its curriculum to cater to the specific needs of diverse groups of children thriving across different regions while adapting to the regional languages by understanding the importance of localized content delivery. This approach ensures that children receive a well-rounded education that respects and celebrates their cultural backgrounds. “Beyond academics, it also organizes various activities, including visits to local places like police stations and hospitals, so children can learn about their community. Furthermore, it celebrates different functions that reflect a range of cultures and beliefs. Makoons’s goal is not only to prepare students for formal schooling but also to help every Makoonite become a good human being, equipped to face future challenges”, mentions Vijay.

A Specialized Care & Safe Environment

Makoons understands that children learn differently, so it requires all teachers to complete at least 21 days of training annually which stresses effective communication, patience, and innovative teaching methods. This training at Makoons also helps teachers understand children’s psyche, which contributes to high satisfaction ratings from parents. Since its founding in 2015, Makoons has engaged over 16,000 children, (including alumni), despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its success stems from recognizing the diverse needs of children and effective teachers’ training. Many parent testimonials signify its preschool education leadership. One of the parents, Shubham Garg mentions, “The teachers and staff here are so nice and well-educated. My son loves learning here, and we like that they have fun while learning. They always engage with us. Teachers always keep us updated on what and how my son is doing”.

In major IT hubs like Pune, Hyderabad, and Bangalore, parents often require both preschool and daycare. Makoons addresses this by combining early childhood care with daycare services for a holistic child education & care experience. To support families that frequently relocate, Makoons offers free transfers to any of its centers nationwide. A standout feature is its five-tier security system, which helps alleviate parents’ safety concerns. In Pune, parents can access live CCTV to monitor their children, along with an app that provides real-time updates on their activities. Makoons even holds partnerships with nearly 18-19 corporations across India, including ICC Group of Companies and IBM, to provide daycare services.

Future Pathway

Makoons has experienced a promising growth since inception, and plans to continue it creatively promoting early learning. In Maharashtra, it has established over 40 centers across Thane, Mumbai, Nagpur, and Pune. While, recently, it has made strides in the south, its goal is to reach 500+ centers, including 90 in Maharashtra for primary grades, with a major focus on the southern and northeastern regions of India.