Preschools in Kolkata

Kolkata schools commonly admit children to nursery at 3+ years, usually measured as on 31 March or the first day of April. Some schools run a pre-nursery or playgroup for children around 2+. West Bengal follows the NEP 2020 direction of Class 1 at 6+ years. Because Kolkata schools publish detailed eligibility bands, read each school's admission notice carefully: a few weeks' difference in the birth-date window can decide eligibility.

Schools typically ask for the child's birth certificate from the municipal corporation or equivalent body, parents' Aadhaar cards, passport-size photographs of the child and parents, and often a family photograph. Keep self-attested photocopies ready along with originals. Since Kolkata's admission season starts as early as September, organise these documents by August to avoid missing early form windows.

Kolkata preschools generally run from about 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Daycare facilities usually extend to 6:00 pm. The school session begins in April, and admission forms for the next session often appear between September and December. Because many schools admit through an interaction with the child and parents rather than a written test at this stage, keep the routine calm and familiar in the weeks before.

A preschool offers a structured morning programme, while a daycare provides supervised care through the working day. In Kolkata, where many families have grandparents involved in childcare, a standalone morning preschool is often enough. Dual-income families usually prefer centres that combine preschool with daycare. Compare afternoon staffing, meals and rest arrangements rather than choosing on hours alone.

West Bengal has no centralised lottery for private preschool admissions; each school publishes its own admission notice with eligibility dates, form windows and interaction schedules. The session starts in April, and schools commonly distribute forms from September or October. Within the NEP-aligned framework of Class 1 at 6+ years, schools set their own nursery criteria. Track each shortlisted school's website, since timelines differ significantly between schools.

Start early, because Kolkata's forms appear from September. Shortlist within a comfortable commute across the Hooghly if relevant, visit during school hours, and ask about class sizes, teacher stability and safety practices. Read each school's eligibility notice word by word, since birth-date bands are strictly applied. Apply to several schools, and keep copies of every submitted form and receipt.