A pre-school that draws from the Canadian education system set foot in Calcutta with its 75th centre in AJ Block. In a building painted in bright red and white, in keeping with the colour of the Canadian flag, Maple Bear houses both a learning facility and a day-care centre. 

“Canada is a land of immigrants. So they have developed a technique of teaching English in immersive style. Also subjects like mathematics and science are integrated into stories, which ensures higher recall,” explained Hazel Siromoni, managing director, Maple Bear India. Though the chain is an Indian one, the curriculum writers are all from Canada, she said.

While the pre-school programme runs from 9am to 12 noon, the day-care centre is open from 8am to 7pm. A child’s stay at the day-care facility includes snacks, nap, play and story-telling. “We will also help with their homework,” said Taposhree Choudhury, one of the directors.

The children, aged between one and 10 years, will be kept in separate rooms according to age groups. Mini bunk beds have been procured for them. “They will be provided freshly cooked vegetarian food, including milk twice a day. We will teach them table manners,” said Nandita Dutt, another director.

Play units, like wash basins and supermarket cash tills, would provide scope for make-believe games for kids.
The inauguration was attended by minister for women and child development Shashi Panja, mayor Sabyasachi Dutta, outgoing MLAs Sujit Bose and Ashok Deb, councillor Anita Mondal and Arjun Dutta, trade commissioner of the government of Canada. 

“The formative years are vital for a child’s growth in terms of both health and education. They also develop their communicative skills and capacity of creative thinking,” said the minister, urging the authorities to give the children the scope to play outdoors. 

Tuition charges at the school are Rs 48,000 a year which can also be paid quarterly.

Sudeshna Banerjee