Page 66 - EW February 2026

EW Grand Jury India Preschool Rankings 2025-26

initiative rooted in passion, perseverance and purpose.
I have always believed that true innovation begins with
understanding children and designing joyful, relevant and
future-ready learning experiences. This award belongs
to my students, parents and dedicated team, whose
collaboration and commitment built the foundation
of our success. Our curriculum blends global best
practices with experiential, play-based and inquiry-led
learning, ensuring children learn through exploration
and creativity. Equal emphasis is accorded to social,
emotional, cognitive, sensory and physical growth. Our
focus on creativity, competency-based learning, life skills
and strong parent partnerships sets us apart. This award
is an inspiration to continue innovating and nurturing
confident, empathetic learners” — Shwetha Sumanth
We are delighted to be ranked India #1 for (centre right), Co-founder and Principal, Adelie
Innovative Pedagogy. This recognition after nearly International Preschool, Bengaluru (191 students,
“two decades in early years education affirms an 20 teachers)

Design Thinking Leaders
Preschools demonstrating capability to break away from
rote learning, and adopt pedagogies which encourage
development of students’ creative thinking, collaborative
and problem-solving skills.

Rank

India State City
1 1 1 Ligo — Prometheus School, Noida
2 1 1 Shemrock Preschool, Delhi
3 1 1 Garodia's Academy Early Years Learning, Ghatkopar (E),
Mumbai
3 1 1 Shalom Galaxy School, Gurugram
4 1 1 Neiil World School Little Hearts, Guna Our India #1 rank for Design Thinking is a deeply
5 1 1 FirstCry Intellitots Preschool, SR Nagar, Hyderabad affirming moment for all of us. It reinforces our
5 2 1 Sunbeam Junior School, Sarnath, Varanasi “belief that design thinking must begin in the earliest
6 1 1 Akshara House of Children — The Yenepoya School, years, when curiosity is most alive and learning is most
Mangaluru natural. Rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, our
6 2 1 Woodlands House School, Panchkula pre-primary curriculum is play-based, inquiry-driven and
7 2 1 Hasti Pre-primary School, Vidya Colony, Dondaicha experiential, allowing children to learn through explora-
7 2 1 Udaan Foundation's Little Wings Preschool, Nashik tion. Teachers are co-learners and facilitators, designing
8 1 1 Touch Sky — The International Preschool, Poompuhar learning experiences that emerge from children’s inter-
Nagar, Kolathur, Chennai ests and questions, nurturing their creativity, innovation
8 3 2 Podar Jumbo Kids, Andheri (East), Mumbai and independent thinking. This design-thinking approach
9 2 1 Air Force School (Pre-primary), Jalahalli, Bengaluru prepares children to imagine, experiment, reflect and
10 4 1 EuroKids Preschool, Dhayari, Pune develop problem-solving skills from early age” — Muke-
10 2 2 Anjuman Preschool, Chennai sh Sharma, Head of School, Ligo — Prometheus
School, Noida (56 children, 7 teachers)

66 EDUCATIONWORLD FEBRUARY 2026