‘My daughter loves drawing and Math, thanks to the teachers of this school’

Getting admission to a good school is a tough nut to crack. And parents do everything in their power to ensure that their child had an edge over the other kids. The same was true for the Turate family. The mother of Tanishka, who is in class I at Apeejay School, Nerul in Navi Mumbai, opines that since her daughter went to a playschool, it helped Taniskha in her one-on-one interview with the school administration.

“The admission happened in 2020; it was simple enough – everything was done offline. They first interviewed Tanishka and then us separately. Back then, my daughter was extremely fussy and would get cranky easily but going to a playschool helped her; it gave her a lot of confidence. When she had to speak to people during her interview, she didn’t hesitate and managed to do well,” Neha Turate said, who is a homemaker, now.

Excerpts from an interview.

Did Tanishka has issues when studies shifted online?

I think every parent must have faced this issue – how to make the toddler sit in one place for two hours and look at the screen. But as time passed, it became easier and after a couple of months, she started loving her classes.

What was the role that the teachers played?

They had a huge hand in ensuring that the kids enjoyed their online sessions. Tanishka’s teacher, Simmi ma’am, was so good. She ensured that the two-hour class was not dull. She made the toddlers do activities that kept them occupied. She extended the class by at least 15 minutes for kids who lagged in reading or writing. She made sure that each student was on par.

What were some of the things that your daughter learnt during this period?

As I mentioned reading and writing. The teacher put a lot of stress on reading and writing, and Tanishka picked up both fast. She even learnt phonetics. She took part in several online

activities that were organised and she did well in all of them.

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The teachers had a huge hand in ensuring that the kids enjoyed their online sessions. Tanishka’s teacher, Simmi ma’am, was so good. She ensured that the two-hour class was not dull. She made the toddlers do activities that kept them occupied

–Neha Turate, Homemaker and Mother of Student at Apeejay School, Nerul

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Have things changed now that she is attending school?

I don’t think there has been much change in her learning curve. But having said this, she is doing well in her class. I just feel that kids learn faster if they are taught via activities. There haven’t been very many this year. She loves going to school and likes all her teachers. She loves drawing and Math; she is good in these subjects.

Why did you choose Apeejay?

Actually, I wanted my daughter to study at Reliance School. A lot of our neighbour’s kids were going to this school. I had heard that this school was very good. But once Tanishka started going to a playschool and I came in touch with other parents, I heard of Apeejay. I was told that if I was looking for an academically strong school, Apeejay was the school.

I did a lot of research on the Internet and found that the school had a good reputation.

Did you have a checklist at Apeejay?

I never made the list. People who send their kids to this school are not sending them because it offers great facilities. The school has basic infrastructure unlike other schools in the area that are fancy. But the school is very good when it comes to studies and this is what I wanted for my daughter.

How are the teachers at the school?

They are excellent. To date, my daughter has had great teachers. And I am sure that the same holds even in higher classes.

Would you recommend Apeejay to others?

I always do. I have seen the difference the school has made in my daughter’s life and it has been for the better. The school has been heaven-sent sent for us.