Early Childhood Association (ECA) works for quality care and education of our youngest citizens (0 to 6 years). Dr. Vats is the President of ECA and also of Podar Education Network. She leads over 290 preschools and Daycares. She is also the National representative for the World Forum Foundation. She has authored many books for parents and children and is a strong advocate of nature-based learning in the early years and promotes brain research-based teaching and parenting in her workshops across the globe.
“This is one of the best days I have spend in my life ever. I think Saad has created, what I like to call an ‘Early Childhood Spa’ for children. This school is a tribute to Maria Montessori. This is an amazing learning place for children, parents, teachers, leaders. Governments from the world must visit this school and I say this with utmost seriousness. Every inch of this school is designed keeping in mind children, their childhood and exploration. This is one of the best places in the world which upholds early childhood education and puts it in a completely different place. Congratulations to Saad and his team for creating this space. Congratulations to this beautiful tribute to childhood!”
Irshad Patel is the Managing Director of Empyrean School, a co-educational CBSE Day School in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. He holds a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University and has led the recruitment and development of the staff while ensuring that curriculum, teaching, and assessment align with Empyrean’s innovative philosophy. He is passionate about fostering a culture of creativity and innovation within the school community.
“Having visited some of the best schools both domestically and globally, I have rarely encountered spaces designed with such purpose and heart. Kai’s learning environments are fluid yet focused, fostering seamless and subtle learning opportunities. The attention to detail not only reflects thoughtfulness but also supports the vision of developing independent learners.
I was particularly impressed by how student agency is cultivated through the small yet meaningful choices learners are encouraged to make. The philosophy on ‘risk’—allowing children to navigate it through play rather than shielding them—is forward-thinking and essential for their independent growth.
Kai’s holistic approach as a one-stop solution for all stakeholders is truly innovative, reflecting a deep commitment to building community and addressing diverse needs.
While excellence at Kai is evident in its practices and culture, I believe it truly stems from the personal commitment, unwavering effort, and meticulous care with which the leadership approaches every detail.”
Nurain Patel is the Academic Director at Empyrean School, where she leads academic initiatives with a focus on fostering a rich, engaging learning environment. She holds a postgraduate degree from University College London (UCL) and a Master’s degree in Literature from the New York Academy. Nurain brings a deep passion for education and literature, ensuring that Empyrean’s curriculum and teaching strategies are innovative, student-centred, and aligned with global best practices.
“The attention to detail that went into creating Kai is remarkable. Every design element, even the seemingly minute details, clearly centers around the needs of the students. It was lovely to see students actively engaging with the space whilst having the freedom to explore, move and learn in ways that feel natural and intuitive. The work being done at Kai by Saad and the entire time is truly inspiring; it is an example of how thoughtful design can foster an environment where students can thrive in.”
Gitanjali is a social entrepreneur and educationist who founded HIAL, an alternative institute for mountain development. HIAL aims to revolutionize higher education in India through a pedagogy that emphasizes contextual, experiential, and transdisciplinary learning. A Chevening Fellow and recipient of the Women Transforming India National Award from the Government of India, Gitanjali embodies versatility. She also strongly advocates for holistic education that nurtures well-rounded individuals.
“It is great to see how early years education has been recognized as a milestone at Kai, and how its implementation has been meticulously detailed and designed. The fluid spaces and furniture that respect the child’s size and sensibilities will definitely contribute to the development of aware, conscious, and sensitive children. These children will bring kindness and compassion, along with their skills and knowledge, into their secondary and higher education, as well as into their lives. I wish for every child in our country and the world to have access to this conscious parenting and education, helping make this world as beautiful as it is meant to be!”
Dr. Gunmeet is the first woman to have headed a boys’ boarding school in India. An accomplished educationist with over 30 years of experience in teaching and school administration, she has held many coveted positions, including member of the CBSE Governing Body, as well as the CBSE Affiliation Committee. She is the British Council School Ambassador in India and a member of the Board of Trustees of the International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC), as the current Vice President of the IBSC-Asia Pacific Region. She has won Extraordinary Leadership Award 2019 by Education World.
“The eye for detail in every learning space is amazing. It looks like everything here has a purpose and the purpose is happy learning for the children. The engagement level of the teachers was something that I have not seen anywhere else. The way the teachers were engaged in their class and the way the children were involved in the activities & were also unmindful of what’s going on around them, was very heartening. Congratulations to the team for a fantastic space for the little ones.”
Rachel Poff represented the International Baccalaurette Organization and conducted a 3 day PYP workshop for our teachers & staff. With her guidance, the team explored inquiry based learning, conceptual based learning, assessments, the learner profile and really engaged with the documents from principals to practice. They also learnt how to create provocations and created solid learning engagements to bring out the best in every student.
“Over the past few days, I have had the absolute privilege of working with the team of Kai Early Years. The facilities in this school are one of the best I have seen in the world. They are creative, engaging, inspire inquiry, foster independence in the child. It has been purposefully build for early years students. What I really liked is that everything in this school is at the height of a child. Overall it has been designed to create a sense of wonder in children and inquiry. The team in this school is absolutely incredible. Congratulations to the team for being one of the best in the world. I strongly recommend this school to all parents.”