Pre-School/Play Schools in Pune?

MaggieMae · Mar 31st, 2009, 01:15

We're looking into some sort of school for our 4 year old son. Any places to recommend in Pune?

We've been living in Indian since October 08, and in Pune since Feb. We're from the US originally, and back home he didn't go to any sort of preschool at all.

I don't think the big name schools like MB or Orchid are really what we're after. Instead we'd like something smaller and more relaxed - just a place to meet and play with other kids for a few hours a day.

Alternatively, if there are any expat family groups in Pune that gather for playgroups/coffee/etc, I'd love to hear about those too!

Thanks...
-Maggie

delhiwala · Mar 31st, 2009, 01:28

I think you should have a Kid Zee or Eurokids there......

atala · Mar 31st, 2009, 01:56

Spend at least one day with the kid at the place, and see what they do all day. A lot of these places are really carreer-oriented and train the children to be little zombies. It is one of the down sides of life in India what they do to their children, esp since they are calling these places "Montessori", while they are 180 degrees on the opposite.

MaggieMae · Mar 31st, 2009, 02:07

Thanks for the advice. I did see a bunch of so-called MOntessori schools, but only one that truly seemed to be allied with actual Montessori philosophy.

Anybody know what the academic calendar is around here? My 10yr old daughter's friends all seem to be having exams and going on "summer break". I'm baffled. (And we homeschool my daughter so I'm totally out of the loop!)

rajered · Mar 31st, 2009, 03:19

Academic year is from June to April in India.

Where are you staying and how far can you go for the playschool.

MaggieMae · Mar 31st, 2009, 13:50

We're near Tilak Tank/Kamala Nehru Park. Ideally the school would be close by, but I guess we'd be up for anywhere that's 20min or less rickshaw/scooter ride from our house.

Ideas?

rajered · Mar 31st, 2009, 20:29

Sunflower Playgroup, 460,Shreya,Model Colony, Hare Krishna Mandir Road, Pune, 411016, Ph: 020 25662806
Fairy Land, # 759/48, Deccan Gymkhana, Opp Chitale Mithai Shop,
Pune- 411005, Ph: 020 25677232
Kangaroo Kids, # 65-66/11, South Main Road, Lane No. 3, Koregaon Park, Pune - 411001, Ph: 020 26051321, Landmark: Next to Manikchand Bunglow

ceKathleen · Jun 15th, 2009, 21:25

hi! we have just moved to pune, and i have 2 boys (ages 3 and almost 5). we are in kalyani nagar and looking for school for them.

Maggie, i don't know how far you are from us but I would be interested in getting together for a playdate or something!

karialeena · Jun 17th, 2009, 19:39

I thought I posted a reply but can't seem to see it...anyway here goes again...

Aman Setu - really beautiful school - very caring, sensitive, environmentally friendly and surrounded by fields.
http://www.mkf.in/aman_setu.html

My 3 and a half year old daughter goes there and loves it.

ckforum · Jul 14th, 2009, 21:02

Did you find a school you like? We are also looking for a play group for our daughter. We are looking for place where she can go out and meet and play with other children.

zindaginama · Jul 21st, 2009, 05:05

hi
I am thinking of moving to Pune, but the most important consideration is my two and half year old's play school. We want him to go to a caring place which is not a hot house to get into a public school like a lot of them are. Somewhere with a low child/teacher ratio. Those of you sending your child to Aman setu, which area in Pune would you advise us to live in, bearing in mind we can't afford Koregaon park.

karialeena · Jul 21st, 2009, 10:05

My daughter goes to Aman Setu (http://www.mkf.in/) and I live in Viman Nagar which is quite affordable. So is Wadgaon Sheri (also called Kalyani Nagar Annexe).

zindaginama · Jul 23rd, 2009, 02:15

How long is her commute? Do you drop her off or is there a school bus?

karialeena · Jul 23rd, 2009, 10:33

From Viman Nagar it is about 25 mins. As a rule, parents aren't allowed to drop kids, rationale is to decrease pollution. so yes - there are 3 school buses plying to different areas of Pune.

zindaginama · Jul 28th, 2009, 03:21

Thanks for that info, much much appreciated. Is there anywhere in Pune, not too far from kalyani nagar where you can rent a little house with a garden or is it out of the question. The budget being 20000 rupees.

Mar 31st, 2009, 01:15	#1
MaggieMae Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 13	Pre-School/Play Schools in Pune? We're looking into some sort of school for our 4 year old son. Any places to recommend in Pune? We've been living in Indian since October 08, and in Pune since Feb. We're from the US originally, and back home he didn't go to any sort of preschool at all. I don't think the big name schools like MB or Orchid are really what we're after. Instead we'd like something smaller and more relaxed - just a place to meet and play with other kids for a few hours a day. Alternatively, if there are any expat family groups in Pune that gather for playgroups/coffee/etc, I'd love to hear about those too! Thanks... -Maggie

Mar 31st, 2009, 01:28	#2
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,813	I think you should have a Kid Zee or Eurokids there...... __________________ Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone. - The Dhammapada

Jul 21st, 2009, 05:05	#11
zindaginama Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 11	playschools in pune hi I am thinking of moving to Pune, but the most important consideration is my two and half year old's play school. We want him to go to a caring place which is not a hot house to get into a public school like a lot of them are. Somewhere with a low child/teacher ratio. Those of you sending your child to Aman setu, which area in Pune would you advise us to live in, bearing in mind we can't afford Koregaon park.

Jul 28th, 2009, 03:21	#15
zindaginama Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 11	pune playschool Thanks for that info, much much appreciated. Is there anywhere in Pune, not too far from kalyani nagar where you can rent a little house with a garden or is it out of the question. The budget being 20000 rupees.

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Mar 31st, 2009, 01:56	#3
atala 8 years in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland Posts: 978	Spend at least one day with the kid at the place, and see what they do all day. A lot of these places are really carreer-oriented and train the children to be little zombies. It is one of the down sides of life in India what they do to their children, esp since they are calling these places "Montessori", while they are 180 degrees on the opposite.

Mar 31st, 2009, 02:07	#4
MaggieMae Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 13	Thanks for the advice. I did see a bunch of so-called MOntessori schools, but only one that truly seemed to be allied with actual Montessori philosophy. Anybody know what the academic calendar is around here? My 10yr old daughter's friends all seem to be having exams and going on "summer break". I'm baffled. (And we homeschool my daughter so I'm totally out of the loop!)

Mar 31st, 2009, 03:19	#5
rajered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,184	Academic year is from June to April in India. Where are you staying and how far can you go for the playschool.

Mar 31st, 2009, 13:50	#6
MaggieMae Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 13	We're near Tilak Tank/Kamala Nehru Park. Ideally the school would be close by, but I guess we'd be up for anywhere that's 20min or less rickshaw/scooter ride from our house. Ideas?

Mar 31st, 2009, 20:29	#7
rajered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,184	Sunflower Playgroup, 460,Shreya,Model Colony, Hare Krishna Mandir Road, Pune, 411016, Ph: 020 25662806 Fairy Land, # 759/48, Deccan Gymkhana, Opp Chitale Mithai Shop, Pune- 411005, Ph: 020 25677232 Kangaroo Kids, # 65-66/11, South Main Road, Lane No. 3, Koregaon Park, Pune - 411001, Ph: 020 26051321, Landmark: Next to Manikchand Bunglow

Jun 15th, 2009, 21:25	#8
ceKathleen Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 3	hi! we have just moved to pune, and i have 2 boys (ages 3 and almost 5). we are in kalyani nagar and looking for school for them. Maggie, i don't know how far you are from us but I would be interested in getting together for a playdate or something!

Jun 17th, 2009, 19:39	#9
karialeena Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pune, India Posts: 8	I thought I posted a reply but can't seem to see it...anyway here goes again... Aman Setu - really beautiful school - very caring, sensitive, environmentally friendly and surrounded by fields. http://www.mkf.in/aman_setu.html My 3 and a half year old daughter goes there and loves it.

Jul 14th, 2009, 21:02	#10
ckforum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: California - Pune Posts: 29	Did you find a school you like? We are also looking for a play group for our daughter. We are looking for place where she can go out and meet and play with other children.

Jul 21st, 2009, 10:05	#12
karialeena Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pune, India Posts: 8	My daughter goes to Aman Setu (http://www.mkf.in/) and I live in Viman Nagar which is quite affordable. So is Wadgaon Sheri (also called Kalyani Nagar Annexe).

Jul 23rd, 2009, 02:15	#13
zindaginama Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 11	How long is her commute? Do you drop her off or is there a school bus?

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Jul 23rd, 2009, 10:33	#14
karialeena Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pune, India Posts: 8	From Viman Nagar it is about 25 mins. As a rule, parents aren't allowed to drop kids, rationale is to decrease pollution. so yes - there are 3 school buses plying to different areas of Pune.