Diya Ghar
Did you know that 85% of a child’s brain development occurs before the age of five? Think back to your first memories of learning. Early childhood education isn’t just about ABCs and 123s; it’s about building a love of learning. Those early years are crucial, laying the foundation for everything that comes after.
A vibrant evolution is happening in the Indian early childhood education landscape. Competition is fierce, with educators constantly seeking innovative methods and approaches to provide the best possible start for young learners. Accessibility and inclusivity are also paramount, as the need to reach underserved communities becomes increasingly urgent.
Diya Ghar, founded in 2016 by Saraswathi Padmanabhan, stands at the forefront of this movement. Starting with just five children, Diya Ghar’s vision has always been clear: to provide stimulating and nurturing preschool education to migrant children. From its humble beginnings, Diya Ghar has grown exponentially, adapting and innovating along the way, even shifting to a community center model during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure continued access to education.
Today, Diya Ghar serves over 1250 children across 20 centers in Bangalore, a testament to Saraswathi’s leadership and dedication. Her entrepreneurial journey reflects a deep commitment to holistic development and a belief in the transformative power of early education.
Diya Ghar’s child-centered approach uses the Montessori Method, hands-on learning, and a theme-based curriculum. Dedicated learning corners for various activities, parent involvement, teacher development, and after-school support ensure a nurturing environment. Founder & Director Saraswathi Padmanabhan shares her insights in this interview.
In the spotlight is founder & director Saraswathi Padmanabhan in an interview for our prestigious “The 10 Best Preschools Redefining Early Education in India, 2025” edition. Learn from her insights and valuable lessons. Stay tuned and know her tale of success.
Prime Insights: Can you briefly describe your preschool, including its founding year and initial vision?
Diya Ghar’s vision is for all children, irrespective of their economic status, to have access to stimulating and nurturing preschool education.
Diya Ghar started with 5 migrant children and 2 team members in 2016. In 2019, Diya Ghar expanded to 3 preschool centers covering 135 children and 15 team members. At the peak of COVID-19 in 2020, Diya Ghar revamped to a community center model, bringing education to the children in the communities. Diya Ghar rented and built centers in and around the communities in this endeavor. Today Diya Ghar has 20 preschool centers across Bangalore serving 1250+ children with the help of 90+ team members.
Prime Insights: What are the unique teaching methodologies or curriculums that set your preschool apart?
At Diya Ghar, we use the Montessori Method to teach Math, English, and Kannada, fostering an environment where children can learn at their own pace. Montessori materials such as number rods, movable alphabets, and sandpaper letters are integral to our approach. These tools help children understand mathematical concepts through hands-on activities, enhancing their fine motor skills and reasoning abilities. For language learning, activities like shape threading and letter tracing support literacy development and sensory perception. This individualized approach encourages independent learning and critical thinking, ensuring that each child builds a strong foundation in math and languages while enjoying the learning process.
Montessori Pedagogy:
The Montessori pedagogy is a holistic teaching method built on the premise that ‘Children learn through their own experiences and at their own pace.’ Various aspects of this method address the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs of developing children aged 1.5 – 6 years.
Includes practical life activities, sensorial activities, language activities (phonics), and math activities.
Features hands-on learning, mixed-age classrooms, freedom of movement, and freedom of speech.
Individualized Plans:
Standardized learning objectives set for each child based on age and ability.
Activities designed to meet individual goals.
Theme-Based Approach:
Integrates learning areas and skills through themes (e.g., body parts, colors, shapes, seasons).
Connects academic skills to real-world concepts.
Five Learning Corners:
- Art Corner: Creative expression.
- Mind Gym Corner: Visual perceptual development.
- Reading Corner: Introduction to books.
- Movement Corner: Addresses the need for movement.
- Play Corner: Free play and social-emotional development.
Bridge Program:
Prepares graduating children for traditional school environments.
Helps them adapt to collective instruction methods.
Prime Insights: How do you incorporate technology and innovation into early education?
Teachers use TVs as a medium to present these lessons in an engaging, visually appealing format, capturing the children’s attention and facilitating better comprehension.
Activity videos are shared with parents to bridge learning gaps when children are absent.
Training videos are also being created to train new teachers who join or to offer existing teachers a recap.
Prime Insights: What makes your preschool’s approach to early education distinct from others in the region?
Our work focuses on migrant children who lack access to government-run preschools or anganwadis, providing them with opportunities for education, care, and a brighter future. Diya Ghar’s approach to early education stands out because it is
- Holistic & Accessible: We focus on children’s overall well-being (health, nutrition, family) and prioritize accessibility for those lacking government preschool options.
- Community-Based: 20 learning centers within migrant communities; local support staff help overcome language barriers.
- Montessori Education: The Montessori Method is used for math, English, and Kannada, allowing children to learn at their own pace.
- Nutrition & Health: 70% of nutritional needs provided; quarterly health camps and hygiene kits (clothes, footwear, blankets, etc.).
- Teacher Development: Continuous capacity building, including regular Montessori training.
- Parent Outreach: Monthly community visits by teachers to check on families and provide parenting/education awareness.
- After-School Support: Program for Diya Ghar alumni (4:30-6:00 pm) offering homework help, crucial for first-generation learners.
- Transportation: Provided for children living further away, with staff supervision during pick-up/drop-off.
Prime Insights: How does your preschool address cultural diversity and inclusivity in its programs?
Diya Ghar welcomes migrant children from diverse cultures and language backgrounds. Children come from different states like West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Karnataka, Orissa, and some even from Nepal. Due to this, sometimes there is a language barrier; to bridge it, we employ teachers who can speak the same language as the students so that the children and their families are comfortable. We ensure that children learn about all cultures, traditions, and religions in India through various educational themes such as ‘Festivals’ or independence programs.
Prime Insights: What is your approach to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among preschoolers?
At Diya Ghar, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving are nurtured through:
Montessori Activities: Montessori materials are designed to encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and independence. The hands-on, self-correcting materials foster exploration and innovation, building a foundation for creative and analytical skills.
Independence: Children are given the freedom to engage in activities after foundational instructions. This autonomy fosters creativity and confidence.
Skill-Building Play: Through structured and free play, children develop problem-solving abilities and learn to think critically in social and physical contexts.
Prime Insights: Can you share some insights into your preschool’s focus on language development and communication skills?
As children come from different parts of India, it is necessary for them to pick up the local language, as all government schools are Kannada medium. Children are taught Kannada alphabets, words, vocabulary, etc. so that by the time they graduate from Diya Ghar at the age of 6, they have a working understanding of Kannada.
In English children are taught phonetically. Children move on to learning to spell and match the words with the pictures or objects through Montessori activities such as movable alphabets. In communication, vocabulary enrichment activities using flashcards, story narration, and planned conversations are held.
Prime Insights: How does your preschool promote physical and emotional well-being in children?
Diya Ghar holds quarterly medical health camps in collaboration with partnered hospitals in Bangalore. These health camps do routine and complete health checks covering ophthalmology, dental, dermatology, and more. Those children who need further treatment are referred to the hospital for further treatment.
The nutrition program provides 70% of a child’s nutritional requirements through morning porridge, lunch (with an egg), fruits, and weekly protein bars.
Children take part in physical activities every day to improve their flexibility and motor skills. Activities that help them develop coordinated movements. Examples: in-and-out jumping etc.
Daily emotional check-ins and an open, nurturing environment encourage children to feel safe and discuss their concerns. Storytime and circle time are initiated so that children can speak about emotions and understand them better.
Prime Insights: What steps are taken to ensure children’s social and emotional development during these formative years?
Social and emotional development is central to Diya Ghar’s approach. The Montessori pedagogy addresses the social and emotional development during the implementation of the activities.
Montessori Activity Guidelines: Children learn patience, cooperation, and respect through activities. For example, they are taught not to interrupt or snatch Montessori materials but to wait for their turn.
Circle Time: Teachers guide children on virtues like empathy, patience, and appropriate social behaviors through stories, discussions, and role-playing.
Emotion Awareness: Activities like storytelling and art help children understand and express their emotions.
Daily Check-ins: Teachers ensure a nurturing environment where children feel safe to discuss their feelings.
Prime Insights: How do you involve parents in the learning and development process of their children?
Every month the Diya Ghar teachers visit the communities the migrant children come from to check in on the families and understand what challenges they face. They also use this opportunity to speak to parents on important topics such as the importance of attending school, good attendance, good hygiene, the use of appropriate language, etc.
Aside from this, Diya Ghar holds quarterly parent-teacher meetings to discuss their child’s progress.
Prime Insights: What facilities and infrastructure does your preschool provide to create a safe and nurturing environment?
Diya Ghar rents/builds centers in and around migrant communities, eliminating the need for children to travel.
Centers are clean, well-ventilated, and have adequate space.
Safety measures are taken—fire extinguishers and CCTV cameras are in all the preschool centers, and staff are trained in first aid.
Weekly and monthly facility checks are done by the teachers and the facilities team to ensure that the centers are working properly.
Prime Insights: What measures are in place to ensure the health and safety of children within the preschool?
In each of the 20 Diya Ghar centers, there are 2 teachers and 1 support staff for a class of 45 children.
If a child falls sick, teachers will first administer a fever reducer. If the child’s condition does not improve, the parents are contacted and asked to take the child to the doctor. In cases where parents are unable to do so, the teachers take the responsibility and ensure the child receives medical attention by taking them to the doctor.
Children receive 70% of their daily nutritional requirement through lunch, eggs, porridge, fruits, and protein bars.
Hygiene kits, clothes, footwear, blankets, and sweaters are distributed to children on a quarterly basis.
Regular medical camps for routine health check-ups for the children.
Medical support for children needing care, including surgical interventions.
Prime Insights: Can you elaborate on the teacher-to-student ratio in your preschool and how it benefits early education?
Each center typically has two teachers and one support staff member for 45 students. For larger centers, a third teacher is added, ensuring personalized attention and effective classroom management. The age group of these 45 children is mixed—from 1.2 years to 6 years.
The typical teacher-student ratio in other Montessori schools is 1:30 with 1 helper.
Prime Insights: What are some key milestones or recognitions your preschool has achieved in recent years?
Milestones:
From serving 5 migrant children in 2016, we are now serving 1250+ children. From 1 center, we now have 20 centers across Bangalore city.
Awards:
- Most Sustainable NGO of India in 2024
- NGO Leadership Award from CSR National Award for Excellence (10th Edition), 2023
Accreditation:
- Give Silver Certificate
- GuideStar India Platinum
Prime Insights: Can you share any testimonials or success stories from parents about their experience with your preschool?
1. Rajeshwari’s journey as a single mother is a story of sacrifice and enduring love for her children, Aravinda and Anushree. She and her two children moved from Hospet to Hebbal to seek better opportunities. Yet, the transition brought unexpected challenges that put a strain on their lives. Rajeshwari found work as a helper in a hotel, but she faced the distressing choice of either leaving her young children alone in the community or taking them to work. The turning point came when Aravinda and Anushree joined Diya Ghar. Diya Ghar offered a supportive environment and quality education, allowing the children to transform from shy and burdened to confident and eager learners. This change in her children gave Rajeshwari renewed hope.
Diya Ghar didn’t just help the children; it became a lifeline for the whole family, providing a sense of community and support that helped Rajeshwari navigate the chaos. Rajeshwari is deeply grateful for Diya Ghar’s impact on her family. It’s not just about education; it’s about belonging, hope, and the knowledge that they’re not alone and that her children have a safe place to learn and grow.
2. The story of Arun and his family is a testament to the transformative power of education, particularly for migrant families facing financial hardships. Originally from Andhra Pradesh, they struggled in their village due to limited job opportunities and financial constraints. Seeking a better life, they made the brave decision to move to Bangalore.
In their new city, Arun’s father found employment in construction labor, while his mother took on housekeeping jobs to support the family. Despite their hard work, they faced challenges, especially when it came to affording school fees for Arun. However, their situation improved when they connected with teachers from Diya Ghar School. Dedicated to educating migrant children, Diya Ghar offered Arun the chance he needed to receive a quality education.
With immense gratitude, Arun’s parents embraced this lifeline, recognizing the invaluable gift of education for their son’s future. The support from Diya Ghar not only alleviated their financial burden but also instilled hope and empowerment within their family and the larger migrant community they belonged to.
3. “We’re so happy to see how well our children are learning! They’re picking up something new every day. We are so proud of how much they’ve grown at Diya Ghar”,” says Rekha, mother of 3-year-old Aron from the Diya Ghar Kempapura Centre.
Prime Insights: What are your plans for expanding or improving your preschool’s offerings in the coming years?
Our focus is to improve processes, build the capacity of our teams, enhance teacher training, and provide quality education and care across 20 centers for 1000 preschool-aged children and 250 older children in our ‘After School Program.’
As part of our expansion and improvement efforts, we are exploring:
1. Crèches for children 6 months to 3 years: The program aims to:
- Support working mothers by offering affordable, reliable childcare.
- Promote holistic child development, including physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth.
- Facilitate the re-enrollment of older siblings in Anganwadi centers or schools.
- Enable community participation by involving local stakeholders in running and maintaining the creche services.
2. We are in the process of starting centers in Chennai. We have identified migrant communities in need of Diya Ghar’s program and are laying the groundwork to set up 5 centers in Chennai in 2025.
3. Set up an additional 5 centers in Bangalore in 2025.
4. Our next milestone is to serve 5000 children every day.
5. On the teaching side:
- Expanding the team of teachers
- Increasing the spectrum of Montessori activities
- Creating activity videos to be shared with parents to bridge learning gaps when children are absent.
- Creating training videos to train new teachers who join or to offer existing teachers a recap.
Prime Insights: How does your preschool contribute to shaping the future of early childhood education in India?
At Diya Ghar, we’re equipping migrant children to break free from the cycle of poverty. We know that early care and education have a ripple effect—children who thrive in their early years are more likely to succeed in school, contribute to their communities, and lift their families’ economic situations. Our ECCE program offers high-quality education, especially for underprivileged children from migrant communities who often lack access to government preschools. We focus on holistic development, preparing children for both school and life and breaking the cycle of poverty. We’re proud that 601 children have graduated from Diya Ghar and are now thriving in mainstream schools—children who might have otherwise been left behind. We believe our community-based, Montessori-inspired approach is shaping the future of early education in India, creating opportunities for generations to come.
Prime Insights: Many of our readers are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children. How can they contribute to Diya Ghar’s efforts?
To Donate: Visit https://diyaghar.org/donate-now/
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