Pehle Kadam & Kilkaari
पहले कदम और किलकारी

Making Quality Early Childhood & Pre-Primary Education accessible to everyone.

Reimagining Pre-Primary Classrooms & Early Childhood Care and Education

In the heart of every child lies a universe of potential, waiting to be discovered. The earliest years, filled with curiosity and wonder, shape the dreams that echo throughout a lifetime. Yet, for many, the absence of a strong educational foundation dims that spark.

According to the UNESCO report on 'Early Childhood Care and Education', the initial years of a child's life are instrumental for cognitive, emotional, and social development. The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 mandates a three-year holistic, activity-based, and inquiry-based learning environment for children before entering Grade 1.

Despite this, challenges persist:

Nearly 40 million children in 14 lakh Anganwadis & 1.8 lakh govt. pre-primary schools requires quality & child friendly learning spaces for play based learning.
Significant gap in the training and capacity building of Anganwadi workers remains a key focus area.
Only 20% of government primary schools in India have pre-primary sections, leaving quality pre primary education inaccessible to communities from economically weaker strata.

"The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child's own natural desire to learn" -- Maria Montessori.

A large part of our communities that form the backbone of the country, rely on affordable and accessible education systems with strong hope that their child's first step into learning will cultivate excitement for the journey ahead. The idea is to envision classrooms as dynamic learning spaces that foster curiosity, energy, and imagination, ensuring children develop a love for learning rather than fear. By creating environments where children feel engaged and excited, we can cultivate their natural desire to explore and grow at a young age.

Our Approach

Our pre-primary learning prototype delivers quality education through play-based, activity-based, and inquiry-based methods, complemented by Anganwadi teacher training. It aligns with NEP’s five key development areas—physical, sensory, cognitive, socio-emotional, and creative development—using child-centric designs that address diverse needs.

A Transformative Journey:

Kilkaari Program focuses on bringing reformed and holistic early childhood learning experiences to government schools through innovative yet simplistic designs with teacher enablement as supporting focus areas.
Pehle Kadam Program focuses on re-envisioning Anganwadis by not only bringing play, curiosity centric & activity based learning but also by empowering awareness initiatives for Mothers and Anganwadi workers to truly deliver impactful outcomes.

Dive into the world of Kilkaari 2.0 -- Baalvatika

360 Degree Classrooms - Play & Curiosity at the Core Reimagined classrooms designed to be fearless, fun, and engaging, welcoming young learners into their first steps on the journey of learning.
Discovery Space - Exploration, Creativity, and Inquisitiveness Problem-solving games, puzzles, and creative challenges spark logical and critical thinking for children aged 3-6.
Theme-Based Paintings - Engaging, Artistic, and Awe-Inspiring The focus is on themed, relatable wall art designed to enchant children's imaginations through four landscapes: Jungle Room, Ocean Room, Desert Room, and Snow Room.
Sargam - The Music Space Musical instruments from native art forms and recycled materials create a vibrant Music Corner, fostering a love for sound during these formative years.
Storytelling Station with Warli Art - Imagination in Action Sensory-rich storybooks, puppets, and felt board pieces promote language development and creativity through hands-on, visual storytelling.
Rangmanch - Encouraging Stage Confidence With easy-to-wear costumes and props, children overcome stage fright, developing communication and performance skills in a supportive space.
Puppetry Theatre - Imagination Meets Creativity A DIY puppet theater, crafted from discarded plywood, where children explore creativity, build social skills, and gain storytelling confidence.
Kabaad Se Jugad - Waste to Wonder Instilling recycling and sustainable living from an early age, this station transforms waste materials into creative and practical learning tools.
Shararat ki Gali - A Playful Path Designed as a welcoming corridor, this space invites children to enjoy activities like climbing, crawling, and balancing, enhancing gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
My Garden Library - Learning Beyond the Walls A library under the sky, nestled in nature, nurturing a love for learning in the lap of the earth.
Sustainable Replications - Future Classroom Architects Capacity-building workshops for Anganwadi workers and pre-primary educators, empowering them to create holistic, child-friendly learning environments.