A THROWBACK OF A MOTHER’S MEMORIES ON DELHI NURSERY ADMISSION….

Its feels really nice sometimes when you write your emotions, your thoughts because being a  business women it’s really a tough job to do, but I am glad as I am trying. Being associated with the education industry, I go through lots of social media posts, websites, and articles about the Nursery Admission Season in Delhi. This time of the year and those articles takes me 5 years down my memory line when I was stuck in the same scenario, eagerly waiting for the Guidelines of Nursery Admission to come, those never ending queues, those sleepless nights, those hypothetical reasons given to my boss for frequent leaves and much more….back in 2011 Facebook  was not interactive like now, very less schools were online, mobile with slow 2G connections so all this what is present today to make lives much easier during the admission season were not that effective….So I applied in around 28 schools in a radius of 0-8 kms knowing that Distance is the major criteria in all the schools. I was least bothered about the other point criteria system as I had in my mind to apply to as many schools as I can within a distance of 0-8 kms. Being both Parents working, we had to stop at 28 schools and hoped for the best. Luckily my hard work paid and our application was selected in 2 schools, one school was really of my choice, good infrastructure, excellent curriculum, satisfactory fee structure but school demanded some additional unethical capital, which was totally unacceptable for my moral values, so I dropped the school and chose the school which was bit far but had all the qualities to be a good school in future…and I was right on my judgement.

From Admission to enrollment of my daughter it was like riding a roller coaster without a belt, if everything doesn’t go good, you are gone. But the good thing for the present time is if you have got proper strategy and logistics you can crack it easily. You have social media Like Facebook, WhatsApp etc. where you can interact easily with other parents.

In the end I would like to share some points with all the aspiring parents looking for Nursery Admission Season 2017-18:

• Apply to as many schools as possible as the chances drastically increase if you do so.
• If got selected by multiple schools, do visit all of them and compare it thoroughly, because if a good school is say 7-10 km from your home, Don’t just say no because it’s far because there is lot more for your child after Nursery.
• If everything doesn’t goes as planned & your application didn’t get selected , trust me that’s not all, you have many options left such as:

1. Get your child enrolled in a play-school and prepare for next time
2. You should wait for the next waiting list, because usually parents lose hope after the list, so don’t do that …have patience
3. If you live nearby to other NCR cities such Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon etc. you can also take it as an alternative because they also have some promising institutions or even better than the Delhi ones, afterwards you can always get your child migrated to Delhi again

So wish you all the luck and wish you a very Happy New Year …I am readily available on Facebook, twitter and WhatsApp (9990206772) so please feel free to contact, I will be more than happy to assist you by any possible means….All the best..Cheers…!!

5 POINTS TO TAKE CARE BEFORE DELHI NURSERY ADMISSION 2017-18 ARE ABOUT TO START

As the Nursery Admission in Delhi 2017-18 is on the verge and it’s time for a complete run-through of your strategies planned before the battle begins for nursery school admission. You can use the below points to plan your strategy because only with proper planning and strategy you can expect desired results & the best for your child:

• Short listing of Schools: Short listing the schools of your choice where you really want your child to get enrolled should be the initial step to be taken.
• Make a Priority list: Make a highest to lowest priority list of the schools where you want to apply for admission.
• Point and Eligibility Criteria: Check the point system & eligibility criteria for the schools you have chosen for.
• Complete Documentation: Check that you are ready with all the documents required by the school that you enlisted.
• Mode of Form Application: Check the mode of the form application( Offline or Online Nursery School Admission form) which is being used by the school so that documents could be kept handy accordingly

The above points will help you to optimize and get the best results this Admission Season. KleverMind has also tied up with 170+ nursery schools in Delhi-NCR where you can apply by filling just One form to Multiple Schools, and the best part is, it’s extremely nominal and completely paperless. So let’s be tech-savvy this season and get the fullest out of it. So just log-on to https://www.klevermind.com/user_signup or download the Mobile app from Google Play store because Nursery Admissions are on your tips…with just 3 KleverClicks..!!

NURSERY ADMISSIONS IN DELHI 2017-18: THINGS YOU MUST KNOW

Nursery Admissions Key Points

Nursery admissions in Delhi and NCR are a stressful time for young parents. We see newspaper reports talking about the same, every year at this time. How difficult it has become to admit your children in nursery schools of your choice. So much so that parents have now begun planning their children’s  nursery admissions from the moment they are born!

At KleverMind, we understand the inherent need to provide the best of everything to our children. Be it education, nutrition, sports or exposure to extra-curricular activities. The following is a list of ‘things you must know’ for young parents going through the stress of Nursery Admissions process of 2017-16 :

Quotas for EWS or Disability/Orthopedically Challenged: 

25% of seats in all schools are reserved either for EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) and Disadvantaged Groups or for those with physical disabilities. EWS certificates are given to those, whose household income is under 1 lakh. After an update from the Delhi Government in January 2016, all management quotas and reservations have now been removed.   

Minimum and Maximum Age of Admissions:

• Nursery (Pre-School) – Atleast 3 years and maximum 4 years as on 31st March 2016
• KG (Pre-Primary) – Atleast 4 years and maximum 5 years as on 31st March 2016
• Class 1 – Atleast 5 years and maximum 6 years as on 31st March 2016

While there is no relaxation on the minimum age, there could be a relaxation on the maximum age for Differently abled Children as per Specific Guidelines.

Points based selection for Open Category:

Schools decide on their final admission list (which is then published on their respective websites) through a points based system. The following is the critera that schools look at in this points based system:

Neighborhood Points: This depends from  from School to School, but for most schools, bifurcation is based on distance.

Sibling Points: If Siblings are studying in  the same school in the current academic session, points are allocated(No cousins are considered for Sibling definition under school admissions).

For Girl Child / Single Parent: Some Schools offers in Points for Girl Child and single parents.

Transferred Defence or Para Military Employee: Some schools offer 5 to 10 Points for Parents in the Defence Sector.

For Parents as Alumni: If either of the parents is an alumni of the same school, a good number of points are allocated by most schools.

Now that you have an idea about the guidelines most schools are following in Delhi and NCR. And have several schools that you can apply to for your child. Come and register with KleverMind. By filling just one extensive form, you can apply to many schools at the same time. What’s more is that, if there’s a school you’ve visited and really like, you can simply scan their QR code on the KleverMind app and apply instantly.

Load up the Ammo with Documents required for Delhi Nursery Admission 2017-18

It’s time to pull up your socks parents because the guidelines of nursery admissions (Delhi) 2017-18 are out. So here are some documents which you need to be prepared with before jumping into the arena.

·         Photograph of the child, father, and mother (remember the latest ones…!)

·         Proof of residence of parent/child which comprises of:-

1.        Ration card issued in the name of the parents which includes the name of the child

2.       Domicile Certificate of the parents or the child

3.       Voter I-card (EPIC) of any of the parents

4.       Electricity Bill/MTNL Bill/Water Bill/Passport in the name of any of the parent or child

5.       Aadhar Card/UID issued in the name of the parent or the child

·         Birth Certificate of the Child issued from MCD

·         Affidavit is required in the case of First Born Child/Only Child/Girl Child

·         For the criteria of Siblings Copy of I-card/Fee Slip/ Admission no. provided from the school viz. applied for.

·          For Criteria of Alumni, School Leaving Certificate of any of the parent (May vary from school to school as some schools accept SLC for class 10 & some for class 12).

·         For Special Childs, Special Needs Certificate is required from authorized govt. Organization

We also recommend that both the soft copies and hard copies should be carried along as it may also vary according to schools. To make this admission season, a reason for celebration just sign-up at www.klevermind.com & avoid the long queues, tension, and anxiety because at KleverMind we do it all for you…

RIGHT PRE-SCHOOL IS WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR YOUR CHILD, HERE’S WHAT MATTERS

Choosing the right pre-school, note this

What are the things to keep in mind while choosing the right pre-school for your child.

As a parent, you are understandably anxious to have your child get the best possible start in life with the right pre-school. Chances are you find yourself immersed day and night in perhaps the most difficult riddle: choosing the right pre-school, your child’s nursery school! As it happens, this shouldn’t be a very difficult thing to do, but thanks to the many myths we pick up along the way, it becomes hopelessly intricate.

Since every child is unique, there is no one way to make the right choice – sometimes, different schools work better for children from the same family! This blog will not make the choice for you, but will give a few questions you must consider while you’re making the choice of your child’s lifetime:

Does the Brand matter?

The past few years have seen some very new schools change the course of the education industry in India and carve a path for themselves through cutting edge educational technology, great infrastructure and high levels of parent teacher engagement. Established brands of schools on the other hand, offer a large alumni network which may be beneficial for current students while getting their child admitted to the right pre-school.

Should we let the children choose?

Your child doesn’t have to instantly like the school to gain the most out of it. After all, he/she is a mere toddler and doesn’t understand what life has in store and how to deal with it. At the same time, if your child is very instinctive at an early age, following his/her gut may be a good idea. Every child is different, and so are parenting styles – depending on what yours is like, make this choice wisely.

How much does location matter?

Unlike the above questions, this one has a clear answer for most parents as they make a decision on the right pre-school. Its extremely important for your child to be close to your home or workplace in case of an emerency, so location matters tremendously. Most schools also take the residential address and proximity of the parents into close consideration during the admissions process.

What kind of teaching methodology will be good for my child?

The Montessori Method or The Reggio Emilia Approach, aren’t just academic jargon; they represent the fundamental approach a school takes to help the child learn. And yes, you guessed it: there’s no best method of learning. It all depends on whether the approach fits in with you believe as a parent. So more than anything else, make sure you are 100% clear on the teaching methodology followed.

How much should a school focus on extra-curricular activities?

These matter, of course. A lot. In fact, these matter as much as the methodology, because these activities are how methodologies impart education. Depending on your parenting style and the instictive flair of your child, choose a school that focusses on the key interests your child displays or the skills you believe s/he has the potential to develop.

Choosing the right nursery school boils down to paying attention to the basics: ignoring the glittering front and getting to know what happens inside. Think of it as simplification, just like KleverMind is doing with nursery school admissions. If you’re hassled by the number of schools you have to visit and the number of forms you have to fill, KelverMind should feel like a breath of fresh air!

All the best in your journey to finding the best pre-school. And if you have any questions or want us to add another question to this list, do leave a comment!

STIMULATING COGNITION TO SOW THE SEEDS OF SUCCESS

Stimulating cognition early in life..

We would all like to see our children grow into intelligent people. For that we will have to inculcate in them, the skill of being life long learners. A simple and effective way to build that intellect is by stimulating cognition early in life. By doing that, you help them sow the seeds of success.

For most of us, the first years of our child’s life are typically punctuated by specific, concrete milestones. From first steps and first words, to first tastes of real food.

But as the child gets closer to school age, the questions get far more complicated. Common, but important, questions leave many parents confused and in search of guidance. And as usual, the answers aren’t as concrete as one might have hoped.

Ask questions.

As you travel around with your children, encourage creative answers from your child by asking open-ended questions. Such as “Why do you think the sun shines?” or “How do you think birds stay up in the air when they fly? It helps in stimulating cognition and helps in develop their vocabulary. Such children are often more capable of handling more information than those with limited language skills. Help your child learn to be independent, but within healthy limits. Children should not equate “independence” with refusing to follow directions. To help your children understand the difference, try giving your child choices within your directions. For example, if you want your child to make his bed as well as pick up his toys, let him choose which one he wants to do first. This gives your child some control, but also ensures both tasks are completed.

Read, read, and read.

Reading with your children as well as letting them see you read surely helps in stimulating cognition. At the same time, it also gives your children the message that reading is important and fun. Children learn about language from your voice even if they do not understand the words you are reading.

Get social.

Introduce your children to experiences where they can interact with other children their age. They should also learn to accept care from adults other than their parents. Your children will begin learning to play, cooperate and problem solve with their peers. They will also build important social skills besides stimulating cognition. Bring out your child’s artistic side. All you need is a comfortable space, pencils and crayons big enough for little fingers to grasp, and a blank sheet of paper. Then watch as those first few scribbles evolve from squiggles and loops to actual letter shapes.

Be your child’s counting coach.

Turning just about any household task into a counting game is a great way to stimulating cognition. Try counting out the forks and spoons as you set the table for dinner, or count as your child puts toys away. Children will learn to recognize numbers and understand fundamental math concepts. Basic household items as clocks, telephones and TV remote controls can be effective tools.

Finally, know and accept what your child is capable of. Young children often learn at dramatically different rates from the pre-school years up till age eight. You may still see your child working to build the skills needed for school success when that first day of formal school comes. RELAX – he will master those skills with time and support.

HOW TO MAKE A “SPECIAL CHILD” EVEN MORE SPECIAL

When a child is born he completes the family, turns a lady to a mother and gentleman to a father. As considered a gift of god,the child born is a blessing for the parents even if he/she is differently abled but the irony of the world is that the society starts taking it in a way opposite to what the parents think about their child. Even the first reaction that comes from a parent is “denial”- It can’t happen to me, my wife, my husband, my family and sometimes we see the denial transforming into anger generally deviated to doctors, medical personnels or sometime even mother. But not all parents react the same, some understand and show constructive attitude towards it. How let’s find out…

1. Seek assistance of the other parent- A special child is indeed special, so it’s better to talk to parents who have spent time with the special child. Because they will make you believe that with time having a special child is truly a blessing

2. Talk to your partner- It is often seen the partners avoid the topic as much as they could and try to hide their emotions but they need to realize the fact that hiding emotions will never be a solution. Realize that we are not rocks !!

3. Stay Positive- Child learns from his family first, so if he/she feels a negative vibe from his parent, he/she will take it as normal human behavior which is not the actual ideology.

4. Avoid Pity- Self-pity, the experience of pity from others, or pity for your child is actually disabling. Pity is not what is needed. Empathy, which is the ability to feel with another person, is the attitude to be encouraged.

5. Remember that “This-is-Your-Child” – This is your child, first and foremost. Granted, your child’s development  may be different from that of other children, but this does not make your child less valuable, less human, less important, or in less need of your love and parenting. Love and enjoy your parenthood.

The best part what we believe in a special child is that they only understand one emotion – LOVE …Love and care, so let us all give them most valuable thing which is free of cost.So Cheers to all the Parents and Superheroes because even superheroes are different.

Some schools in Delhi who are dedicated to educate our superheroes:

1) Hopes Special School
2) Maxwell Institute for Special Children
3) Happy Valley Special School
4) Snehil Frontline Special School
5) Tamana Special School
6) Brahma Shakti Special School
Special Kudos to parents of “SUPERHEROES”!!!

HOW EARLY SHOULD YOU START LOOKING FOR SCHOOLS FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES….?

How early should you start looking for Schools for your little ones?

There is always a level of confusion when it comes to the right age of schooling that too Delhi nursery admission. On the top of that, the varying criteria of different schools add more to the confusion list. Generally, for nursery admission in Delhi, the admission age ranges from 3+ to 4+ yrs. Many schools say that parents request them to admit their children young, looking at their child’s date of birth fall a few months short of the cut-off date. However, it is recommended you should not enroll your children into formal schooling before the age of three.

Another dilemma that a Delhi Parent faces is whether to enroll their child into preschool or nursery class of a formal school. However, this needs to be solved by the parents itself. If your child is ready for formal schooling (taking into account the time taken to travel to school) and gets through a school of your choice then go for it. If any of these two conditions is not fulfilled then you should opt for preschools in your vicinity and again try for formal schools next year.

In Delhi, getting a seat in any of the schools of your choice is difficult even if you fulfill all the criteria for admission to all the schools and your child is ready for formal schooling. So it is recommended to apply to as many schools as you can. And if you get through any school which is not of your choice, go for it. You can apply for a school of your choice in upcoming admission session.

CBSE ASKS SCHOOLS TO GO FOR CASHLESS TRANSACTIONS

Starting from Jan 1st 2016, CBSE affiliated schools have to start online school fee payment. This step is in line with government’s demonetization decision. Many Principals and Directors of Schools have welcomed this move saying that it would be easier for them in terms of clarity o finance handling of schools along with providing a big support to demonetization move of government.

One of the school Principals said that the workload of our accounts department will decrease. Second, now there won’t be any confusion about lost deposit receipts etc as transactions will move through digital routes.

The board secretary has said that schools should make all transactions in non-cash mode. He also said during the PTM, the parents should be educated about online payment systems in schools and its benefits.

With KleverMind, Parents can now apply to multiple schools by filling single form through 3 KleverClicks. The whole process is online with completely cashless transactions. With Demonetization, this is the best way to apply to schools with no cash transactions.

STRESS BUILDING UP IN PARENTS AS THE GUIDELINES FOR NURSERY ADMISSIONS IN DELHI STILL UNDER DISCUSSION…!!

Every passing day is turning more anxiety in Delhi parents plus admission policy for school on public grounds and a potential court case has added on more reasons to take anxiety pills for Delhi Parents, who are just watching all this as mere spectators.

Parents are worried about the strategies of Nursery Admission that change every year. They all suggest ‘that rules should be made in advance so that parents have enough time to work on them ’.

This year’s criteria has the potential to impact just about 285 schools—a mere fraction of the roughly 1,700 private-unaided schools in the city. But these 285 also happen to be some of the oldest and most established, therefore, sought-after.

Parents are wondering if nursery admissions will still begin from Jan 1st, the ideal expected date, as no guidelines have been issued till now and have no indication to come in the near future.