Every parent has this moment. When your toddler starts mimicking you, naming colors, or asking a million “why” questions and you wonder:
Is it time to send them to preschool?
Preschool isn’t just about learning ABCs or numbers. It’s about setting the foundation for how a child thinks, interacts, and feels in a learning space for the very first time. But what is the right age for a child to start school in India? Is there a minimum age for play school in India? How will you know that your child is ready?
Let’s break down the steps in detail and see how every small step matters to build a strong base for your child.
As per the New Education Policy, the learning for preschool or foundational education begins at the age of 3. As per the new foundational policy of 5+3+3+4 framework, the first five years is called the foundational stage and includes the preschooling part too.
So if your child is around 3 years, officially they are at the ideal age to be admitted in a preschool in India. But it is not a mandate or a compulsion that you have to admit your child in this prescribed age. It is just a guideline that can help you in calculating whether your child is in the right age to get admitted. Every child is different and more than the age, it is their skill and talent that matters for you to understand the right time.
Preschool is not a physical space or a pre primary school where kids get admitted to, it is a stage of development of the young minds. So before a child gets admitted, it is better to know what all things they are capable of:
Do they interact with other kids, even shyly?
Do they express their needs in simple words?
Can they calm down with help?
Can they solve basic puzzles, recognize objects or follow simple instructions?
Are they toilet trained?
Can they hold crayons or climb stairs with some help?
These developmental signs matter more than just age. Because a child who is emotionally and socially ready will naturally settle in preschool better.
There is no fixed government mandate for play school age in India, but most centres accept children from 18 months onwards for a few hours a day. That said, full-fledged preschool programs, as per NEP guidelines, begin at 3 years and those are more structured with early learning objectives built in.
So while your child can start play school at 2, most experts recommend preschool at 3 to begin focused learning.
There’s no perfect age that fits all, but here are a few signs your child might be ready:
They can stay away from you for 2–3 hours without major distress.
They enjoy being around other children.
They can sit for a short story, listen, and respond.
They show curiosity, “What is this?”, “Why?” or “Can I try?”
They follow daily routines with minimal help.
If you’re seeing some (not all) of these signs, it might be time to explore preschool options.
At Mittsure, we believe that the preschool journey should be playful, purposeful, and personal. That’s why our Jaadui Pitara, designed in line with the NCF and NEP, supports children in the foundational stage through:
- Interactive play-based kits for ages 3 to 6
- Educational Toys that develop fine motor, language, emotional and cognitive skills
- Themes that align with everyday life and real-world context
So if you're wondering about the right age for your child to start school in India, consider both the guidelines and your child’s readiness. Talk to teachers. Observe your child. Trust your instinct.
