‘The teachers are excellent at this school’

Some parents blindly follow the recommendation made by a relative. And when that relative happens to be your mother-in-law, there is no reason to look further. This is precisely what Yasmeen Kaur did when it was time for her daughter Samreen Deol to start her playschool.

“When it was time for Samreen to go to a play school my mother-in-law insisted that I enroll her at Apeejay. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law are alumni of Apeejay. My husband, on the other hand, is convent-educated. But my mother-in-law insisted that Samreen study at Apeejay Rhythms Kinderworld, Jalandhar. After that I never looked at any other school, Yasmeen said.

Excerpts from the interview.

How was the admission process?

It was very smooth. I enrolled my daughter in pre-primary last year. Since the pandemic was over, everything was done offline. My mother-in-law knew one of the administrators at Apeejay Rhythms Kinderworld. This meant that we didn’t have any issues. Everything went off like clockwork.

What are some of the changes that you have seen in your daughter?

There are so many of them. She was a shy child. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she had little exposure to the outside world. But the minute she joined the pre-primary, there was a vast improvement in her. She has become an extrovert now. Everyone in the nursery knows her now. She has made several friends as well. She participates in all the activities the school organises.

Has that helped Samreen to open up?

Definitely. The activities that the school organised from time to time and the fact that she participated in all of them have made a huge impact on her. Teachers recognise her and that makes a difference in a child’s demeanor.

How have the co-curricular activities helped hasten her learning?

When a child participates in these activities they learn different aspects of that activity. Not everything can be taught to a child by forcing him/her to read books. Take an example. Last year, the school organised a Diwali mela. The toddlers were asked to dress in traditional Indian attire and made diyas. They were also taught the importance of this festival and why it is called the Festival of Lights. Samreen was enthused to celebrate it when she came home. She had also learnt about the other traditions associated with this festival.

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The activities that the school organised from time to time and the fact that she participated in all of them have made a huge impact on her. Teachers recognise her and that makes a difference in a child’s demeanor

–Yasmeen Kaur, Mother of a Student at Apeejay Rhythms Kinderworld, Jalandhar

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How are the teachers?

They are excellent. In pre-primary, her teacher was Pallavi ma’am. She was so good. I think all the teachers at that level should be like her. She was so good with the toddlers, it was amazing. In the nursery, my daughter’s teacher is Saloni ma’am. She is very good as well. But it has only been two months so it will take time for the bond to solidify. The parent-teacher meetings that are held regularly have also helped.

How important is it for the child to develop a bond with the teacher?

It is extremely important. If the child is free with the teacher, he/she can share a lot of things. They can go to the teacher in case of any problems. It also helps in better learning for the child as he/she is comfortable with the teacher and has no fear.

Would you recommend this school to others?

Yes. It is a great school. The teachers are amazing and the teaching methodology is good as well. The best part is that the kids love going to school. I have already recommended the school to a parent and they are all set to take admission for their child for the next session.