Page 70 - EW February 2026

EW Grand Jury India Preschool Rankings 2025-26

Outstanding Leadership Learning Assessment Leaders
For early childhood education leaders of preschools who Preschools which have innovated non-stressful, holistic
have displayed outstanding leadership in upgrading and learning assessments to evaluate children’s progress and
improving their institutions. support their overall growth and development.

Rank Rank

India State City India State City

1 1 1 Legacy Early Years, Bengaluru 1 1 1 Venkateshwara International School Kids, Delhi
2 2 2 Chimes Montessori House of Children, Bengaluru 2 1 1 Budding Blossoms (Children's Academy), Ashok Nagar,
3 1 1 FirstCry Intellitots Preschool, Malaparamba, Kozhikode Mumbai
4 1 1 Peas in Pod, Noida 3 2 1 Ashoka Global Preschool (Ashoka Universal School),
4 1 1 Ronak Global Academy, Mumbai Sinnar, Nashik
5 3 3 Little Innovators Preschool, Bengaluru 3 1 1 Little Chipper International, Agra
5 1 1 Shanti Juniors, Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur 4 1 1 Laurel Kids — The Preschool, Rajahmundry
6 1 1 Alpha Beginnings, KK Nagar, Trichy 5 1 1 Presidency School, Bangalore South (Pre-primary),
6 1 1 Johnson Grammar School (IB-PYP), Kokapet, Hyderabad Bengaluru
7 1 1 Hello Kids — Twilight, Vadodara 6 1 1 EuroKids Preschool, Naranpura, Ahmedabad
7 2 1 Sunbeam Junior School, Indiranagar, Varanasi 6 1 1 The Kabir Prep Academy, Vadodara
8 2 2 Li'l Miracles International Preschool, Jaipur 7 1 1 Shalom Hills School, Gurugram
8 2 1 Kido International Preschool & Daycare, Kowdiar, 8 1 1 FirstCry Intellitots Preschool, Paddal, Mandi
Thiruvananthapuram 8 1 1 Kangaroo Kids International Preschool, Manikonda,
9 2 1 Aga Khan Preschool, Kera, Kutch Hyderabad
9 2 1 The Harmony Tree — Preschool and Learning Centre, 9 3 1 Victorious Kidss Educares, Pune
Pune 9 3 2 Happy Minds International, Raheja Vihar, Mumbai
10 2 1 Champs Academy Global Preschool, Chennai 10 4 2 DY Patil High School (Pre-primary), Ambi, Pune
10 2 2 CHIREC International School, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 10 1 1 Vidya Vikash Early Years, Jharsuguda

Our entire school
community — educators,
“children, support staff,
and parents — is delighted
with this award. At Legacy
Early Years, leadership is
not defined by position or
authority but by capability
to create environments
where children, teachers,
and families feel valued, supported, and inspired. Our
early years philosophy is guided by a strong, values-
driven vision that places the child at the heart of every
decision, while nurturing teachers’ agency, professional
growth, and meaningful parent partnerships. Leadership We are deeply honoured to be ranked India’s #1
is intentionally distributed with teachers empowered Learning Assessment Leader school. It reflects
to lead and parents engaged as active partners. This “ our commitment to reimagining assessment as a
award affirms the intentional leadership culture we have meaningful, inclusive, and child-centric process. At VIS
built and will inspire us to continue innovating while Kids, our assessment system goes beyond traditional
honouring joy, play, curiosity, and relationships that boundaries, embracing developmentally appropriate,
define early childhood. Our ultimate goal is to prepare play-based assessment aligned with how youngest
children with the disposition, skills, and adaptability children learn pedagogy. In VIS, youngest children
required to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape, learn through hands-on activities, storytelling, and
guided by strong and ethical educational leadership” — collaborative play and are encouraged to reflect and
Frank Baccia, Head of School, Legacy Early Years, express themselves. Teachers continuously observe
Bengaluru (122 students, 14 teachers) and provide personalised support to ensure holistic

70 EDUCATIONWORLD FEBRUARY 2026