Podar Jumbo Kids, Santacruz (W) is promoted by the Podar Education Group (estb. 1927) which comprises 102 institutions in preschool, primary, secondary and higher education.
Teaching-learning at Podar Jumbo Kids is based on a combination of educational visions and philosophies including that of Maria Montessari, Reggio Emilia, Lev Vygotsky, Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi.
The preschool has also developed its unique ‘Kiducation’ which promotes development of physical, emotional, social, emotional, language and intellectual skills in a child through age appropriate activities.
The preschool claims that its teaching and learning is not restricted to classrooms and children are exposed to various activities such as atelier for art and craft, sand play, water play, drama time, eurythmics, parachute play, role play, cooking, gardening, traffic park, library time, audio-visual teaching aids and field trips.
A puppet theatre and a well-endowed library of children’s books are also provided. Says Swati Popat Vats: “At Jumbo Kids we believe the only race the children need to be in is the human race. The activities taught to the children are absolutely non-competitive. Every child is a winner here. The focus is not on the perfection of the activity that the child is doing but on the process that he is learning.”
Podar Jumbo has developed a unique system called ‘KIDUCATION’ under which teachers address every child’s needs according to her growth and development stage. Says Swati Popat Vats, principal of Podar Jumbo Kids and president of the Podar Education Network: “We have incorporated international methods after much study and research to ensure children get the best of all the world famous education philosophies along with activities that are suited to their needs.”
The following programs are offered:
Playschool (2 year olds)
In this program children learn the Reggio Emilia way which advocates learning through experiences and exploration.
Nursery (3 year old)
This program teaches children arithmetic and sensorial activities and exercises of practical life through the Montessori method.
Junior KG (4 year olds)
Children are taught the Steiner (Waldorf) way using the 3 Rs – rhythm, reverence and repetition. Gardening and cooking activities are also offered. The curriculum includes phonics and elocution to enhance a child’s speech and spelling abilities.
Senior KG (5 year olds)
Here children learn by the Reggio Emilia method to link things together. They do word reading and sentence reading through the Glenndoman way and write 2-3 letter words and sentences. Addition and subtraction is also taught in this program.
Admissions are open throughout the year.
Podar Jumbo Kids preschool has also developed its unique ‘Kiducation’ which promotes development of physical, emotional, social, emotional, language and intellectual skills in a child through age appropriate activities.