Q1. What MY KIDS’ is all about? MY KIDS’ is a preschool chain for children between the age group of 1.9 to 8.9 years. MY KIDS’ has adopted the philosophy of learning through Activities, Multiple intelligence and Montessori. Q2. What are you teaching them? Major focus is on learning through Montessori and activities. Children are encouraged to enhance their natural quality by helping them to take active participation in different events and celebrations, as well as the children are encouraged to perform the activities through different scientific play equipment’s, which help in the developmental tasks both directly and indirectly. The curriculum of MY KIDS’ is designed keeping in mind the developmental milestones of the children. It is age appropriate, which involves lessons on language skills, number work, creative activities, and exercises of practical life with lots of emphasis on physical, motor & sensorial development. MY KIDS’ imparts the basic knowledge of life, which helps children interact with the outside environment with a positive outlook and help them to grow up with a sound personality. Q3. What are the Unique Methods you have? •Learning through Montessori environment, equipment’s and activities. •Providing Exercises of practical life through carefully crafted environment. •Performing various activities through different kinds of scientific play equipment’s. •To make our MY KIDS’ children acquainted with social customs & culturally rich through various events & celebrations. •Organizing outings to impart the concrete knowledge of the facts of day-to-day life. •Child is encouraged to learn by arousing their curiosity and learning through trial-and-error method. This kind of learning fosters natural learning in child instead of making learning dull and uninteresting. •Freedom is the key word here; the children will be able to perform their own task. •The children are being taught to maintain the discipline without any being harsh to them. •The children learn through Montessori Method by performing their activities with different kinds of scientific play equipment’s. •The children are being taught by the trained teachers in MY KIDS’. •MY KIDS’ take care of individual development of the children and proper child teacher ratio is being maintained for the same. •Proper hygiene is being maintained in MY KIDS’. •The children are more exposed to the practical life, as in MY KIDS’ various outings are being held where the children get the concrete knowledge of the facts of the day-to-day life through different interaction. •Various cultural programmes, events, exhibitions & celebrations are being organized in MY KIDS’ where the children are being encouraged to take an active participation and helping them in return to uphold their innate qualities. •The MY KIDS’ curriculum is based on songs, stories, rhymes & movements, reading, writing & arithmetic, according to their age group, which will enhance their developmental tasks. •We develop an Independent and whole child through our learning environment. Q4. What do you do to increase the child’s vocabulary? We start with Mother Tongue and then gradually transit to English to develop the vocabulary. •Introduction of phonetics and then we gradually introduce word. •We introduce Rhymes, songs stories and dramatic play to enhance the language development. •We use the methods in which a child is provoked to say something. •Introduction of the sand paper letters also helps in developing the language of the child which helps in language development. •Freedom to speak with teacher and others helps this as well. Q5. How do we punish children? MY KIDS’ is against the philosophy of punishments rather children are given enough freedom to express their feelings. Disciplining is important but not with punishments as it leads to a feeling of inferiority in the child. At the most a child can be explained not to do a certain thing or not to behave in a certain way and explained as to why the behavior is not acceptable. Q6. Are the care takers and support staff good or they are harsh towards kids? •No, the care takers and support staff also undergo a training programme in which we give them the various aspect of child developments and do’s and don’ts with reasoning. We teach them… •Understanding Child & their requirements based on age •Importance of Health & Hygiene •Importance of Language •Respect and care of surroundings & Equipment’s •Role of enabler and a helper in Classroom Activities Q7. What has MY KIDS’ got to offer in comparison to the other Montessori houses? What is the USP of MY KIDS’? MY KIDS’ is A new beginning in preschools era, MY KIDS’ fosters natural learning in the child through encouraging curiosity. MY KIDS’ is a preschool where the curriculum and the process of teaching have been made by blending the methods of Montessori & Preschool of U.S. & U.K. with the essence of Indian culture. MY KIDS’ teachers are all trained as they have to undergo the MY KIDS’ Training Orientation Programme, for better understanding of the curriculum, trained care takers; personal attention, regular quality check & control, hygiene & security are of prime importance at every MY KIDS’ school. The curriculum is structured keeping in mind the interests & abilities of students with emphasis on their all round development. MY KIDS’ uses multi-sensory materials, which are culture specific. •The curriculum is rich covering best of two methodologies i.e., Montessori and multiple intelligence method. •Play materials are scientifically designed. MY KIDS’ encourages “Learning through scientific equipment’s and structured activities”. •There is uniformity across regarding the curriculum and its implementation. Q8. How does MY KIDS’ help in getting admission in High Schools? MY KIDS’ takes care that their children are learning the right concepts, are having holistic development and are capable to face growing challenges, this is ensured through scientific play materials and carefully designed lessons pertaining to their sensory, intellectual, physical, spiritual, aesthetic development. In MY KIDS’ children are prepared for the admission interview process through Mock Sessions if required. A session for parents is also organized where tips are given to them to prepare their wards and to face the interview board. Q9. What is the ideal age for a child to get admitted in playgroup? Preschool years are very important and crucial years in a child’s life. The early experience in his life has a lasting effect on his/ her life. Hence the right age to start preschool education is from 1.9 years. Q10. What are the bindings of MY KIDS’? The rules & regulation of MY KIDS’ are as follows: •The child should be punctual. •The parents are not allowed to enter the classrooms of the school during school hours. •Absence for more than 2 days should be informed in writing to the class teacher. •In case of illness the child should not be sent to school. •Parents should attend the events & celebrations when invited by the school. •Parents or guardians should attend the PT Meet regularly in the school. •Parents need to follow the instruction given by the school. Q11. What about home works? We are against the culture of homework however we do provide Rechalks to practice at home which is not compulsory but interest child in exploring world more. Q12. What is the strength of children in each class? In MY KIDS’ an ideal adult & child ratio is maintained in the class to give individual attention, it varies from 1:8 to 1: 24 children based on requirements. Q13. What is Montessori method? A Montessori School provides prepared environments for children at each successive developmental plane where children are given freedom to work according to their inner urges. The child’s natural interest in learning is encouraged by giving opportunities in Spontaneous, purposeful activities with the guidance of a trained adult. Within a framework of order, the children progress at their own pace and rhythm, according to their own education A sophisticated balance between liberty and discipline is prevalent. Reality based education and independent and whole child development is the outcome of Montessori education. Q14. Do MY KIDS’ provide food in centers? No, MY KIDS’ does not provide any food items in centers. Q15. Are you giving computer education to children? Computer knowledge is not given to the preschool children as such but however in the Activity Centre computer class is being offered where big children gets the chance to enroll themselves. Q16. Will my child understand all the things that you will teach them? Children are taught keeping in mind their ability to grasp information. Learning is given to children on individual basis but group activities are also equally focused to enhance their social development. The teachers also see to it that the concept is clear and understood by each and every child. If a child has difficulty or has not understood certain concept, it is explained again. Also, the child is given time so that he/she can understand the lesson before proceeding to the next session. Q17. How is the environment here? It is completely child friendly environment. The environment in MY KIDS’ fosters learning in children at the same time letting their joy surface through playful activities. Apart from this Physical & Emotional security is given to the children. Q18. In MY KIDS’ student only play or do they learn also? In MY KIDS’ students learn through Maria Montessori method. Children are given an environment that doesn’t pressurize them to learn. Children here are learning a lot of things in practical aspects through play materials, equipments and environment. Q19. Do children finish their Snacks/ lunch? Snacks or Lunch is not provided by MY KIDS’ Centers, children are asked to get their lunch boxes. The attendants take care that children eat their lunch. Moreover, when children are in a group, they eat, drink, play and do everything together. Q20. Do you have trained teachers? MY KIDS’ Policy specifies that the teachers appointed at MY KIDS’ School should be qualified. Also, all the teachers are expected to undergo the Basic MY KIDS’ Training to further understand the methodology of MY KIDS’. Q21. How do you celebrate occasions and festivals? In MY KIDS’ schools, all the festivals and occasions are celebrated. The creativity in celebrating the festival depends on the individual school but it is ensured that children get a good idea and knowledge about all the festivals and occasions. Q22. How you provide friendly / good atmosphere for children? Children are allowed to play, explore, enquire, express themselves, which leads to their happiness. The teachers are warm, amicable, approachable and loving towards the children and other staff members are also careful in projecting good and decent behavior, which ensures a good atmosphere. Q23. How do I deal with hyperactive child? Directing the child’s attention to a specific task for 1 min every day can control Hyperactivity, this can be done on a regular basis to reduce the level of hyperactivity. You will have to bear with his hyperactivity for sometime till it subsides on its own. If hyperactivity is absolutely uncontrollable then you will have to take a professional help like that of a psychologist. Q24. Does MY KIDS’ have their school uniform? Yes, MY KIDS’ has its own school uniform. Q25. How can the child learn manners? Children are taught manners in school and similarly the manners have to be projected at home. Elders in school and home should be projecting good manners in front of the child because the child learns through imitation. Q26. What are the objectives of MY KIDS’? The objectives of MY KIDS’ are as follows: •To introduce the child to the joys of natural learning. •To instill good habit, social manners and etiquettes in a child. Q27. What about the future, if my child does not learn A B C? At MY KIDS’, we make learning so interesting that we can assure you that every child learns ABC joyfully. Moreover that we advise to see education beyond alphabet and numbers. Q28. What is the assessment process in MY KIDS’? MY KIDS’ does not believe in competitive assessment at this age. Every child is unique and has potential and to gauge them on a common scale is inappropriate. We help each and every child discover unique potential in them. This is possible because of the observation-based, continuous and cumulative process through which students are not scrutinized. Our assessment is called “A step forward”. Q29. Is my child getting individual attention? Teachers are trained to give their best to each child. Moreover, each child is unique and learning is imparted to the child according to the child’s individual abilities and capabilities. Since the ratio is less compared to other preschools, teacher can give equal importance to all children. Q30. Are students really benefited by MY KIDS’ trained teachers? Yes, students are benefited by MY KIDS’ trained teachers because MY KIDS’ trained teachers are trained in best scientific methods and modern amenities. Q31. How do you prepare the child for an interview? We encourage the child to talk, ask him different questions based on his/her surroundings. Q32. Can I see/visit to classrooms? You can see and visit the classrooms at the time of taking your child’s admission. Alternatively, we have LIVE classrooms over INTERNET in which you can watch your child. Q33. Does my child have to be potty trained? No. There is no such requirement in MY KIDS’’. Q34. How do we select teachers? MY KIDS’ selects its staff strictly on the basis of their learning and learners’ ability. It provides compulsory and intensive enabling in CEP (Continuous enabling programme) & TTT (Train the teacher) that they impart academic curriculum in the way it is meant to be. Q35. How is discipline encouraged in MY KIDS’? MY KIDS’ follows a child-friendly behavior system. We strictly follow this and applicable to all staff members. Q36. What is the medium of instruction in MY KIDS’? The medium of instruction is English. Q37. What are the languages taught in MY KIDS’? At Sr. Kg. Level, apart from English, Hindi is introduced to make the children feel more comfortable and be prepared for a formal school. Q38. Does MY KIDS’ admit children during mid-year? Yes, MY KIDS’ allows admissions in mid-term. Q39. Is there a transfer policy? MY KIDS’ recognize that there may be situations of transfer of parents from one city to another, where a child needs to be transferred from one MY KIDS’ to another MY KIDS’. To facilitate this, a transfer policy is there in line with parent-friendly procedures, the transfer policy requires the existing MY KIDS’ to adjust the fees paid. Q40. Are there any exams / interviews for the admission process? No, for MY KIDS’ all kids are equal and have potential to learn. So, we do take all the kids who wants to learn with us if seats are available. Q41. How are parents involved in MY KIDS’? A high level of parental involvement is encouraged in MY KIDS’. MY KIDS’ believes that parents play a strong role in child’s development. Parents are regularly informed and kept updated on the development of their kids as well as on the happenings at MY KIDS’ through Parent Seminars, different forums, Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) and Open House sessions. Q42. Does MY KIDS’ have separate uniforms for summer and winter? No. Only additional pullovers, caps and/ or winter garments are required in winters. Uniform for summers is included in the child kit and the winter uniforms are available in our schools at an additional cost. Q43. What are MY KIDS’ operating hours? The timings differ from center to center. For further details, please visit the respective MY KIDS’ or post a query through website. Q44. When does the academic session commence at MY KIDS’? The academic sessions differ from location to location. For further details, please visit the respective MY KIDS’ or post a query through website. Q45. How do I register my child? / What is the procedure for enrolment to MY KIDS’? It is very easy to locate your nearest center on our website. For further details, please visit the respective MY KIDS’ or post a query through website. Q46. Where can I find information on the fee structure? You will find information at your nearest MY KIDS’. For further details, please visit the respective MY KIDS’ or post a query through website.