Page 62 - EW February 2026

EW Grand Jury India Preschool Rankings 2025-26

GRAND JURY INDIA PRESCHOOL RANKINGS 2025-26

ntroduced in 2018, the EducationWorld Grand Jury Moreover, we also invited nominations from pre-pri-
India Preschool Rankings felicitate pre-primaries maries of composite K-12 schools which have integrated
I that have introduced contemporary pedagogies and and adopted best ECCE practices.
practices in early childhood care and education (ECCE). The nominations were duly assessed by a jury compris-
To shortlist and select progressive preschools coun- ing eminent educationists Fatema Agarkar, founder
trywide, we invited nominations from educationists, of Agarkar Centre for Excellence, Mumbai; Kausar
individuals and preschools themselves, supported by Sayeed, founder Learn2Lead Services & member,
evidence of best practices in 12 categories — teacher-par- National Core Committee, Early Childhood Association
ent-student engagement, campus design, nature-friendly of India; Dr. Maalathi K.R, founder and CEO, Aurro
environment, innovative pedagogy, outstanding leader- Educational Services, Chennai and Sumathi Ravichan-
ship, health-nutrition-safety, future-ready preschools, dran, Coimbatore-based educationist and management
design thinking, best technology integration, social and consultant to schools.
emotional learning, learning assessment, and most The Top 10 EW Grand Jury India Preschool Rankings
respected early childhood education brands. 2025-26 are presented in the pages following.

India's Most Respected Early Childhood
Education Brands
Institutions which have made exceptional contributions
to expansion and upgradation of early childhood care and
education.

Rank

India

1 FirstCry Intellitots Preschool
2 Hello Kids
3 Kido International Preschool and Daycare
4 Aga Khan Preschools collaboration, compassion,
5 Makoons Preschool and confidence — the 6Cs.
Our well-trained educators
bring this curriculum to life
We are deeply honoured to be adjudged India’s Most through play and experiential
Respected Early Childhood Education Brand. This activities, supported by
“is validation of the trust parents have reposed in technology that personalises
us. We believe the purpose of early years education is to learning, tracks milestones,
nurture happy, confident, curious, and capable children and ensures consistency,
with love of learning. This recognition reassures us while preserving human connection. Through continuous
that our efforts to build strong foundations for lifelong curriculum evolution, teacher upskilling, and strong
learning are making a meaningful impact. I attribute parent partnerships, we prepare children to be not merely
our success to our child-centric, developmentally school-ready, but life-ready” — Meghashri Halder,
appropriate, future-ready curriculum designed to develop Head of Academics, FirstCry Intellitots Head Office,
children’s critical thinking, communication, creativity, Pune (25,000 students, 1,800 teachers)

62 EDUCATIONWORLD FEBRUARY 2026