Transforming Early Childhood Education with Activity-based Learning in India

Inspired by their success and the global need for quality early years education, Kamila and Deepti decided to take their vision further. They wanted to make high-quality early childhood education accessible to children and families worldwide. Thus, We Skoolhouse was born. By leveraging technology, they aimed to partner with educators everywhere, providing holistic care and quality education in homes and classrooms globally.

Why India?

India’s vast young population and the increasing number of preschools made it an ideal market for We Skoolhouse. The lack of a fixed curriculum for early years education in India provided an opportunity for We Skoolhouse to introduce its International Offerings inspired by Reggio Emilia principles. Unlike expensive international curriculums like ICA, IB, and IGSCE, We Skoolhouse offered an affordable alternative, making high-quality early childhood education accessible to a broader audience.

Launching in India

Deepti Jain’s family background in the education domain in India provided valuable insights into the possibilities within the country. With her expertise in early years education and experience in establishing a preschool chain in Manhattan, one of the world’s most expensive cities, she saw a unique opportunity. Combining their ideation with IME’s wide reach in India—50K+ teachers, 45K+ preschools and learning centers, and 300K+ K-12 schools—created a perfect winning combination. Hence, We Skoolhouse was simultaneously launched in India and the US by the end of 2023.

We Skoolhouse Offerings for Indian Audience

Suggested daily and monthly schedules to guide each day
1:1 consultations with early childhood experts
Interactive platform with exclusive articles and webinars
Reggio Emilia inspired activities and provocations for ages 0 to 6 years
Home and Classroom setup guide
Professional development with International Certification

Challenges

No Books Surprise: We Skoolhouse’s activity-based learning approach, which does not rely on traditional textbooks, was a new and alien concept for the Indian audience.
Lack of Awareness: The team felt like they were navigating a Blue Ocean, as there was limited awareness about the benefits of their curriculum.
Myth of Costly Curriculum: There was a prevalent myth that international curriculums were costly with hidden fees, which We Skoolhouse had to dispel.
Market Competition: Other players in the market offered various preschool franchises and curriculums, making it difficult for We Skoolhouse to penetrate.
Preschool Holidays: The timing of the launch coincided with preschool holidays, creating a barrier for license sales.

Overcoming Challenges

IME responded to these challenges by multiplying their efforts and implementing a two-fold approach. The team aggressively reached out to both franchise chains and independent preschools, making over 400 calls to decision-makers, hosting webinars, and conducting multiple demo sessions of the We Skoolhouse SaaS platform. This proactive strategy paid off, securing significant interest from preschool chains.

Starting from January 2024, We Skoolhouse sold 29+ licenses and is on track to break even by June 2024.

Expanding Horizons: Future Plans

To further support early childhood educators, We Skoolhouse recently introduced a comprehensive Classroom Platform designed to offer everything needed to make early childhood programs successful. This platform includes:

Curriculum: Tools to implement a progressive model that values Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and the emergent curriculum. Access to a library of open-ended, developmentally appropriate activities that meet diverse learning styles.
Environment: Guidance on setting up classrooms and centers, managing bulletin boards and documentation, and access to top recommended materials for the learning environment.
Class Management: Flexible and ready-made schedules to guide daily activities, with resources for managing transitions, navigating challenging behaviors, and effectively conducting circle time.
Milestones & Development: Insights into brain development, the importance of play, and tools to monitor children’s development.
Community: Resources to strengthen relationships and communication with fellow teachers, parents, and the greater community.
Webinars: Access to webinars with Q&A sessions and articles addressing the latest research and practices in early childhood learning and development.

Conclusion :

We Skoolhouse is not just an educational project; it is a movement to revolutionize early childhood education. By partnering with IME and leveraging their vast reach in India, We Skoolhouse aims to provide high-quality, affordable education to millions of young learners. The journey has just begun, and the future holds limitless possibilities for We Skoolhouse and the countless children whose lives it will touch.

India Market Entry (IME) is a boutique consulting firm specialising in assisting global education stakeholders to navigate India’s vibrant education sector. IME’s core competency is strategic business development.

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