Preschool Admissions 2027–28 in Chennai: A Parent’s Checklist

Choosing your child’s first school is one of the earliest big decisions you will make as a parent. It is also one that many families leave until the last minute, only to find that the preschool they liked best has already filled its seats.

If your child will start preschool in June 2027, now is the right time to begin. This checklist walks you through everything, step by step: when to start, which class suits your child’s age, the documents to keep ready, what to look for on a school visit and the questions worth asking.

When Do Preschool Admissions Open in Chennai?

Most preschools in Chennai follow a June-to-April academic year. Enquiries usually pick up from October and November, and many schools confirm most of their seats between December and March.

Starting early gives you three advantages:

• Time to compare. You can visit two or three schools calmly instead of deciding in a rush.
• A better chance at your first choice. Good preschools have small class sizes, so seats are limited.
• Time to prepare your child. A few months of gentle preparation makes the first day much easier.

Which Class Is Right for My Child’s Age?

Class names vary from school to school, which can be confusing. Here is how the four preschool stages usually line up by age, as of the start of the academic year in June:

• Playgroup: 2 to 3 years. A gentle first experience of being away from home.
• Nursery (Pre-KG): 3 to 4 years. Early language, colours, shapes and growing independence.
• Junior KG (LKG): 4 to 5 years. Phonics, number sense and early reading.
• Senior KG (UKG): 5 to 6 years. Reading, writing and readiness for big school.

Each school sets its own age cut-off date, so ask about it if your child’s birthday falls close to June. Also plan ahead for Grade 1. Following the National Education Policy 2020, many schools now expect children to be about 6 years old for Grade 1, which affects which preschool class your child should start in today.

Documents to Keep Ready

Requirements differ slightly between schools, but most preschools will ask for:

• Your child’s birth certificate
• Recent passport-size photographs of your child (and sometimes of both parents)
• Address proof, such as Aadhaar, a utility bill or a rental agreement
• Parents’ ID proof
• Your child’s immunisation record
• Your child’s Aadhaar, if you already have it
• Any medical notes the school should know about, such as allergies

Keep a folder with copies ready. It saves a second trip and lets you confirm a seat on the spot.

8 Things to Look For on a School Visit

A website and a brochure only tell you so much. The visit is where you will really get a feel for a school. Look for:

1. Safety you can see

Check for controlled entry at the gate, CCTV, clean and child-sized restrooms, and a clear process for who is allowed to pick up your child.

2. Children who look happy and busy

Engaged children are the best sign of a good classroom. Notice whether they are exploring, building, talking and moving, or mostly sitting and copying.

3. Warm, patient teachers

Watch how teachers speak to children. Do they kneel to the child’s level, listen and encourage? Ask about their training in early childhood education.

4. A small teacher-to-child ratio

Young children need individual attention. Ask how many children are in each class and how many adults are with them.

5. A clear learning approach

Ask how children learn, not just what they learn. Approaches such as Montessori and activity-based learning let children learn by doing, at their own pace.

6. Hands-on materials and open space

Look for blocks, puzzles, art supplies, real-life practical materials and room to move. An outdoor or garden area is a big bonus.

7. A balanced daily routine

A good day mixes active play, quiet time, stories, music, snack time and rest. Ask to see a typical day’s timetable.

8. Open communication with parents

Find out how the school shares updates, how often you will meet the teacher and how they help children settle in during the first weeks.

Questions to Ask Before You Decide

Take this list with you, or save it on your phone:

• What are the school timings, and is there a half-day option for younger children?
• What is the fee structure? Which costs are one-time and which are recurring?
• Is there a van service, and which areas does it cover?
• How do you help children who cry or feel anxious in the first few weeks?
• Are meals or snacks provided, or do we send a lunchbox?
• How do you share my child’s progress with me?
• What activities happen beyond academics, such as music, yoga or gardening?
• What is your policy on screen time in the classroom?

There are no silly questions. A good preschool will be happy to answer every one of them.

Getting Your Child Ready for the First Day

Once you have chosen a school, use the months before June to build confidence gently:

• Talk about school positively, as a place with new friends and fun things to do.
• Read picture books about starting school together.
• Practise small self-help skills such as washing hands, opening a lunchbox and putting on shoes.
• Slowly shift bedtime and wake-up time to match the school routine.
• If the school offers a settling-in visit, take it.

For more on why these early years matter so much, read Why Preschool Matters for Lifelong Learning.

Admissions at Saranshi International Preschool

Saranshi is a Montessori-inspired preschool in Medavakkam, Chennai, for children aged 2 to 6, with Playgroup, Nursery, Junior KG and Senior KG classes. We blend Montessori principles with the Multiple Intelligences approach, the EYFS framework and activity-based learning, so every child learns through hands-on experience at their own pace.

Our campus has CCTV, access-controlled entry and child-friendly restrooms, with qualified facilitators and a reliable van service. Beyond the classroom, children enjoy yoga, Zumba, Brain Gym, gardening, STEM and art.

Admissions for the 2027–28 academic year are open. The best way to decide is to see us in person: walk through our classrooms, meet our teachers and ask us anything on your checklist.