Every family is embarking on an important milestone when they decide on a preschool. It can be the first time for a child to learn, make friends, become acquainted with routines and to learn about the outside world. Parent's dilemma in Mumbai is to find a preschool that provides quality early education, meets the family's daily schedule and budget.
There are also a number of good preschool chains and independent learning centres throughout the city. However, the most important thing in choosing a good school is more than its reputation. These factors should be taken into account when making decisions about teaching methods, safety, teacher-child interaction, age eligibility, fees and distance from home when assessing teaching methods.
This is the guide for those who are looking for preschools in Mumbai and have shortlisted 10 branches included in the list of EducationWorld 2025-26 preschools rankings list in Mumbai and have some tips for getting admission to the playgroup in Mumbai and the nursery in Mumbai.
Top 10 Preschools In Mumbai For Playgroup And Nursery Admissions
The short list below is based on EducationWorld's 2025–26 rankings of the franchised preschools in Mumbai. A school score is one indicator of how well a school does, but cannot guarantee the quality of service for all children. Please refer to each branch for the availability of the programme and the admission requirements.
1. Makoons Preschool, Kandivali East
The EducationWorld 2025–26 Preschool Rankings of all franchised preschools in Kandivali East, Makoons Preschool scored 816 points.
Early childhood programs for Makoons children are play and age appropriate and foster children's holistic development. It emphasizes the following areas of educational approach: cognitive, motor, emotional, social and creative development.
Parents who are interested should ask about:
Current enrolments for playgroups and nurseries.
The learning activities in the classroom and daily learning schedule.
Staffing levels and Staff training.
Safety, hygienic procedures and communication with parents.
All additional services, timings and fees.
The best way to find out about the centre is to visit the centre and speak with the team of the school about your child's needs.
2. Podar Prep, Thakur Village, Kandivali East
This branch secured the highest score of 904 out of 1,125 in the list of most preferred franchised preschools of Mumbai in the EducationWorld 2025–26 list.
Parenting issues to consider:
The daily curriculum and daily learning routine.
Time and place for learning and playing.
Raising safety in the classroom and engaging teacher-child relationships.
Batches in playgroup and nursery to be reduced.
For the households of the community of Kandivali East and the nearby areas, it is a good option. Please see the Programme structure and dates of admission in the school.
3. Kangaroo Kids International Preschool, Ghatkopar East
Kangaroo Kids' Ghatkopar East branch secured the second position in the same category EducationWorld with a score of 882.
Parents can enquire what it is like to be a child at The Preschool; what the children are learning in the classroom; and how this supports children who are beginning their education in preschool.
The following should be taken into consideration before admission:
The ways in which children learn through activities and exploring.
Support of children new to group settings by teachers.
The balance of guided learning and free play on a day to day basis.
Eligibility for current playgroup and nursery.
It may be a viable option for the residents of Ghatkopar East and the adjoining central residential neighbourhood.
4. Podar Prep, Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali West
For the year 2025-26, this Podar Prep branch has been rated as 844 which is the third highest amongst all the Preschools of Mumbai that are franchised by Podar.
Parents might be welcome to the centre to find out how the centre uses language, number concepts, creative activities and classroom routines throughout the day.
Why consider it?
Family friendly place to visit in Kandivali West.
A chance to evaluate a developmental programme at preschool level.
Access to information regarding age groups, fees, school readiness.
See if there is an entry level your child is interested in and if so, if they are accepting applications for it.
5. Kangaroo Kids International Preschool, Parel
In the 2025–26 list of EducationWorld's rankings, the following school was ranked at #843: Kangaroo Kids Parel.
The centre, located in the heart of the city, is a must be present in families' admission shortlist if they reside or work in or around Parel and other central areas.
When there, observe how teachers interact with children, prompt children to talk and comfort children when they need it. Ask also about outdoor play, how much air changes in the classroom, how safe it is and how the transition between playgroup and nursery is.
6. Podar Prep Plus, Chembur
Podar Prep Plus, Chembur's rank was 837.
Chembur and the surrounding areas parents can ask their queries about early learning programmes and the transition from preschool to kindergarten.
Ensure you are aware of the distinctions between the programme levels, age limits of the various levels and the complete fee details before making your application. Inquire about how the school provides developmental feedback to parents and if there is assistance to help a child during the settling in process.
7. Podar Prep, Gorai, Borivali West
EducationWorld's 2025-26 rankings for ECA's local franchise come in at #835.
For those families living in residential areas of Gorai, Borivali West and nearby, this is an alternative to sending their kids to a preschool that's further away.
Parents should look at more than the ranking and determine if the children are given individual attention; if there are stories, motion, creative expression and social interaction in the classroom during the day.
8. EuroKids Preschool, Cuffe Parade, Colaba
The Cuffe Parade branch of EuroKids was the 7th ranked in the published rankings, scoring 828.
Parents in search of Preschool in Colaba Cuffe Parade and other South Mumbai areas can enquire about the levels of preschool education offered and the admission terms.
Questions worth asking:
Which age can a child play at a playgroup and nursery?
How does the curriculum enable learning to take place through play?
Are there any safety measures in place when arriving or leaving?
Are meals, transport and extended day care facilities available?
Please check the branch before deciding on what is available.
9. Podar Prep, Malad West
Podar Prep, Malad West were ranked 826 in 2025-26.
This centre is a great place to visit with family in Malad West and surrounding areas. It can be beneficial for parents to visit a school to gain greater insight into the school's teaching style, classroom setting, daily routine and early childhood development approach.
Make comparisons with other preschools in the area as to location and time. The ease of school transportation is important to a youngster as it can significantly affect his or her comfort level, and the family's life in Mumbai.
10. Kangaroo Kids International Preschool, Wadala
Kangaroo Kids Wadala was rated #808 by EducationWorld.
Alternatively, housing options for Wadala and other families in central Mumbai. Parents can view its curriculum and learning materials, and witness its classrooms and how young children are encouraged to be confident and independent.
Before attending the centre ask for feedback on how the centre cares for children when they are separated from their parents, how children are encouraged to play and develop relationships with other children, and how the centre helps children and prepares them for the next stage in their education.
Please note that these rankings are based on the assessment for 2025/26 and should not be considered a verified ranking for 2026/27 or 2027/28. Please research the current status and details of the programmes and admissions of each school directly.
Related Topic: Top 10 Preschools In India Offering The Best Early Learning Programs
Playgroup Admission In Mumbai: Age And Eligibility
Preschools have a minimum age at which they take children to playgroups - this is generally 2 years old although it may vary between each school. There are some centres that have earlier toddler programmes.
To attend a podar school for 2027-28, children attend the playgroup for two years and then the nursery for three years.As per Maharashtra criteria, children of age 2 years (as on 1 June 2027) can attend podar schools and 3 years (as on 1 June 2027) can attend podar schools for academic year 2027–28. Different criteria may be used in other schools.
It is important for the parent(s) to ensure that the exact date of birth is requested when applying, particularly if the child's date of birth is close to the application deadline.
Documents Commonly Required
Be sure to have the following documents on hand:
Child's birth certificate.
Passport size pictures of children and parents.
ID Card for parent/guardian.
Address proof, if asked to do so.
Health records (where applicable) or immunization.
Completed admission form and payment receipt.
There may be other requirements for each school.
Nursery Admission In Mumbai: What Parents Should Know
The ages that children are accepted for nursery provision usually will be around 3 to 4 years old, but can range from one nursery to another.
Parents should be aware of the following before filling admission form for their children to be admitted in Mumbai nursery:
Age criteria: Ensures age criterion is satisfied by the school's cut-off date.
Application dates: These will be revealed when the application process begins and when admissions are out.
School readiness: Know if the programme fosters communication skills and independence, social interaction and foundational learning.
Charges: Make sure you understand all charges.
Transition support: Inquire about teachers' support with children's transition in the first few weeks.
Do your homework. If there's room, some popular branches might have taken up their preferred applications when they first came out, or if they have a year-round process, they may still be taking applications.
How To Choose The Best Play Schools In Mumbai?
The quality of the daily interaction that happens in the preschool is of greater importance than the name and facilities of the preschool.
Use this checklist to check out prospective schools.
1. Observe teacher-child interaction. Teachers to be calm, give children a chance to participate and respond to the children.
2. Check for safety and sanitation problems. Ask visitors how they will access the premises, what arrangements have been made for visitors to get picked up, what the emergency plans are, if there is first aid on hand, if toilets are kept clean, and if visitors are supervised.
3. Be familiar with the teaching approach. Don't seek too many worksheets! Identify stories, sing-alongs, puzzles, artwork, movement, sensory play and age appropriate foundation learning.
4. Inquire about the teaching staff:child ratio. Young children require individual attention and supervision, particularly during transition times, meal times and toilet breaks.
5. Make a comparison of the full expense. Consider admission charges, tuition, activity charges, uniforms, learning materials, meals, transportation and child care (if applicable).
6. Consider the commute. Pick a centre that's in your family's schedule and that isn't too far for your child to have to travel to and from.
7. Discuss parent communication. Inquire about the process that the school uses to share developmental progress, how they deal with concerns and support children who take longer to settle in.
The National Education Policy 2020 puts great importance on the foundational stage (ages 3-8). All aspects of a child's social, emotional, physical, language and thought processes should be encouraged and learning should be fun in a suitable preschool.
Conclusion
If you are considering looking for playgroup and nursery admissions in Mumbai, then there are various options to choose from. The 10 branches above set the standards for the existing preschool providers across different parts of the city to be compared.
While preparing the list of best play schools in Mumbai consider the location, quality of teaching, safety, age eligibility, fees and the interaction of the teacher with the kids. Check out two or three centres, ask specific questions, and compare admissions statements – then pay any admission fees.
A good preschool is a place where your child feels safe, can experiment and try new things, can build relationships and where they are encouraged to take a positive step into school.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. At what age are children allowed to be in the playgroup in Mumbai?
Children may start preschool playgroups from about two years or there may be toddler programmes for younger children. School has varying minimum age and cut-off dates. Read all conditions for the academic session you wish to apply for before applying.
2. What are the age criteria for the admission to nursery in Mumbai?
Most nurseries provide services for children aged from about three to four years. Every school, however, may have a different cut off date for the age. Please verify the birth date with each school and verify if the rule is applied at the time of admission or a certain date in advance to the school year.
3. At what time should the parents apply for Preschool Admission in Mumbai?
Researching the schools that you want to attend makes logical sense several months ahead of time. Different centres welcome continuous enrolment and some centres accept enrolments in advance of the academic year. Contact schools of interest as early as possible to inform them of what they are interested in, to make sure they are full, and to determine the criteria for admission.
4. What documents are needed for a playgroup and nursery?
Documents that are frequently requested are a child's birth certificate, photographs, proof of parent's identity, proof of address and a filled out application form. Some schools may also require immunisation or health records as well. To avoid delays in the registration process, please see the document checklist in the individual school.
5. How much does it cost to go to a pre-school in Mumbai?
Various fees are charged depending on the location, programme, facilities and services offered. Ask to see a fee schedule, written, for each school (tuition, entry fees, activity fees, uniforms, meals, transportation and day care). A better way to understand the total annual expense, for parents, than just tuition.
6. How can I choose the best preschool for my child?
Come into the centre and watch how the children interact in the classroom, and inquire about the curriculum, teacher:child ratio, safety measures and how parents are communicated with. Consider your child's feelings, travel time and expenses. The most crucial aspect to a successful school experience is the school's environment; that is, the teacher, children, and fellow teachers' attitude; and the activities that are available.
