Periwinkle Preschool | Banashankari & Srinagar

Early childhood is not a prelude to learning  -  it is the foundation. Long before children begin formal schooling, they are forming the essential building blocks of who they will become: how they think, feel, express, and interact. At Periwinkle Preschool, with our thoughtfully created campuses in Banashankari and Srinagar, we've always understood that these formative years  -  from birth to age 8  -  are not just important. They are critical.
That's why we're proud to say that the approach we have always believed in is now echoed in India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020  -  a landmark step that finally places Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) where it belongs: at the core of our education system.

The NEP 2020 and the Foundational Years

The NEP 2020 recognizes that the most effective learning happens when children are curious, emotionally secure, and free to explore. It replaces the old 10+2 system with a 5+3+3+4 model, with the first five years designated as the Foundational Stage  -  three years of preschool followed by two years of early primary schooling.

This foundational stage is designed to support children through multisensory, play-based, discovery-led learning, rather than relying on formal academics. This isn't just a change in structure  -  it's a complete shift in how we view young learners. The NEP focuses on language development, motor skills, socio-emotional growth, and early numeracy and literacy in ways that are developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and joyful.
At Periwinkle, this is the approach we've practiced since our inception.

A Curriculum Rooted in Play, Culture, and Cognitive Growth

Our curriculum aligns beautifully with the NEP's call for experiential, integrated learning. But more than just alignment, we bring a unique and meaningful Indian context to everything we do. Here's how:

- We follow a Montessori-based environment, where children learn by doing  -  exploring with their hands, moving freely, and making choices that build independence and confidence.
- Our Play-Way approach ensures that learning is never forced  -  it is experienced. Whether it's through imaginative games, role-play, or music and movement, children learn because they're engaged, not pressured.
- And perhaps most meaningfully, we immerse our learners in Indian cultural roots  -  teaching Shlokas, introducing Bhagavad Gita stories, celebrating our festivals with purpose, and giving children a deep sense of identity and belonging.

These three pillars  -  hands-on learning, playful engagement, and cultural grounding  -  are the essence of what the NEP seeks to instill in the foundational years. At Periwinkle, they're not just aspirations; they're lived experiences, every single day.

Creating the Right Environment for Holistic Growth

We believe children thrive in environments that feel safe, nurturing, and stimulating. Our campuses in Banashankari and Srinagar are designed to be warm, vibrant, and reflective of a child's natural world  -  filled with color, textures, stories, and open-ended materials that invite curiosity.
Our trained educators are more than facilitators; they are observers, mentors, and gentle guides who understand that no two children are alike. We respect each child's pace, temperament, and learning style, honoring the NEP's vision of inclusive and equitable early education.

We are not simply preparing children for school; we are preparing them for life  -  helping them become confident thinkers, empathetic peers, and joyful learners who carry a strong foundation into every stage of their journey.

The Road Ahead with Purpose

India's NEP 2020 brings with it a welcome and long-awaited acknowledgment of what early childhood educators have long understood: that education begins far before a child learns to read or write. It begins in the sandpit, at the story corner, during a song, or while learning to share a toy. It begins with play  -  purposeful, powerful, and deeply impactful play.

At Periwinkle Preschool, we are committed to this journey  -  not because it is new, but because it has always been right. With campuses in Banashankari and Srinagar, we are proud to be part of this national vision by offering a preschool experience that is rooted in our culture, informed by global best practices, and driven by the belief that early education shapes everything that follows.