"Multiple Intelligence provides the framework for teaching and learning at Little Einsteins ", Vinit Srivastava

In an exclusive interview with educationbiz, Mr. Vinit Srivastava, Co Founder, Little Einsteins talked about World class teaching methodology, where multiple Intelligence provides the framework for teaching and learning. He is looking forward to taking it to the next level; to K-10 and K-12 and to expand centers through their franchise program across the country.

Tell us about your Entrepreneurial journey and what was the idea behind Little Einsteins?

Little Einsteins was our first entrepreneurial venture and the immense success in this helped us to launch other ventures in hospitality and other B2C verticals. We were also quite active in startup space, helping with mentoring and funding for exciting new ideas and team. Little Einsteins has always been and will be always be a special one for us. Business not being the only motive, the need was to potentially help kids develop as per their unique abilities. All existing preschools were having one size fit all mindset, and we felt the gap was to be able to identify and nurture as per Childs’s natural uniqueness and strength. Multiple intelligence forms the core of our teaching methodology and as Howard Gardner rightly puts - “We should spend less time ranking children and more time helping them to identify their natural competencies and gifts and cultivate these.”

Tell us something about your brand and its global presence?

Established in 2007, Little Einsteins is considered as the pioneer in early childhood education based on Multiple Intelligence theory in India. We are now present in three continents and are the first preschool chain from India to enter much developed Europe Market. The idea around expansion has been to be able to learn from global best practices and how to impart learning to help raise a global citizen. Little Einsteins was setup in response to the requests of parents for a continuation of progressive schooling in the elementary years.

What makes Little Einsteins different from other Preschools?

We at Little Einsteins, are an ardent believer of Dr. Howard’s Multiple Intelligence theory. We believe that each child is unique and carries different interests. Some kids may understand the concepts easily from storytelling and others may gain the same by doing it themselves. Identifying and harnessing the interest would be more benefiting to the child. At Little Einsteins, we help students to understand their strengths and challenges using Multiple Intelligence as a tool.

Visitors to our school often comment on the unique atmosphere of Little Einsteins Preschool. Small class sizes promote individualized instruction; the beautiful campus allows teachers to use all facets of the environment to stimulate learning; Art, Music, PE and English promote the nurturing of the whole child and, infusing everything that happens, a sense of belonging and ownership inspired by a warm and caring community. Little Einsteins Preschool does indeed proved a remarkable environment for learning.

With access to World class teaching methodology and curriculum we are well positioned to bring the best learning to our kids across globe.

What is the Learning framework that has been adopted at your institution?

Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple Intelligence provides the framework for teaching and learning at Little Einsteins Preschool.

At the core of this theory is the recognition that people think and learn differently, and that intelligence can be expressed in a multitude of ways. Our multifaceted approach to teaching incorporates each of the eight major intellectual domains defined by Dr. Gardner, and provides opportunities for each student to use his or her unique intelligence to understand the subject matter.

Little Einsteins Preschool inspires its community to actively seek knowledge and understanding, think independently, reason critically, and embrace challenge. Teaching to the uniqueness of each mind we focus on the process of learning and value the exchange of ideas through collaborative work. While building knowledge of self and an awareness of our connection to other communities, we develop responsibility for earth and humanity.

Where does Technology stand in the Preschool space?

Lot more needs to be done on technology. Most of the technology is developed around monitoring, communication and increasing administrative efficiency. Technology that can help compliment the learning and development of kids, expose to new changing social ecosystem and preparing them for new world are the areas that can be transformed by technology. Gamification of lesson is another strong area that we foresee strong growth and value add.

Technologies currently available helps more on infrastructure, provide learning environment, real time monitoring to ensure utmost safety.

When did you start franchising & what attracted you towards franchising?

We took first two years to run a preschool, learn the nuances from market and develop our own curriculum and standard processes. Post that we started franchising it out for simple reason that we wanted to work with entrepreneurs who were equally excited and passionate about early childhood development and derived pleasure and satisfaction around kids. Our franchisee program differs from all other preschool in a manner that we give lot of independence to our partners as we value their entrepreneurial spirit. Some of the franchisees from well known brands shifted to us because other organizations were too bureaucratic and approval process for any and everything made them feel more like employees then entrepreneurs.

With so many preschool into franchising, what importance does Franchising play in the Education segment?

Franchising is very important for this segment since you need fully committed and dedicated individuals who are running this for passion and have full ownership. This is very sensitive segment and requires utmost attention and care, something that only an entrepreneur can bring to the table in such small settings.

What kind of franchise partners are you looking for expansion?

Dedicated, full time entrepreneurs, preferably run by women as founder/cofounder, who are passionate about early childhood education and enjoy the hustles and bustles of being surrounded by kids and enjoys seeing them grow.

What is your business vision and how do you plan to achieve it in next five years?

New areas that we are focusing on are Robotics and enhancing Mindfulness. Mindfulness is being global aware viz a viz you for eg, no wasting food when others are dying of hunger in various parts of the world, being aware of pollution issues and how you as an individual can contribute in reduction.

We strongly believe in providing a social setting for nurturing young minds. In that manner we continue to promote classroom teaching and preparing young kids for regular primary schooling. We use technology innovations in monitoring, communication and providing a hassle-free experience for our center partners so that they can focus only on child care and development. Today, with necessary infrastructure, Little Einsteins seeks to provide an alternative for parents who want a different approach to the rote and skill learning that traditional schools have been providing.

 “We emphasize teaching for understanding by providing children the opportunity to construct their own knowledge in the classroom as they interact meaningfully with materials and their teachers,” describes Vinit.

After nine years of operations, Little Einsteins looks forward to taking it to next level; to K-10 and K-12 and to expand centers through their franchise program across the country. Hoping that such efforts would bring a new facet to the pre-school learning in India and across globe, Little Einsteins has shown a unique way of primary education for the best of future generation.