Foundational Compartment (Balvatika – Class II)

Foundational Compartment (Balvatika – Class II)

 

FOUNDATIONAL COMPARTMENT

As per the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) of India, the Foundational Stage, will now include three years of Kindergarten (Balvatika , KGI & KGII) for children aged 3 to 6 years, followed by Classes 1 and 2 for age 6 to 8 years.)

Age Criteria: As per the NEP 2020, children must meet the following age criteria as of March 31, 2025

  • Balvatika : Completed 3 years (as of 31 March 2025)
  • KG I: Completed 4 years (as of 31 March 2025)
  • KG II: Completed 5 years (as of 31 March 2025)
  • Class I: Completed 6 years (as of 31 March 2025)

THE THREE-YEAR KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMME

(BALVATIKA, KGI & KGII)

  • BALVATIKA:

 Balvatika is now an integral part of kindergarten and falls under the structured Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum. It is designed to provide a strong foundation for early childhood education through a paly-based, activity driven approach, ensuring that children develop essential cognitive, social, and motor skills.  It emphasizes the holistic development of children in the Foundational stage.

 At ISML Balvatika, we will prioritize learning through play and exploration, enabling children to actively engage with their surroundings and learn through hands on experiences. This approach will foster, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

  • LKG /KG-I: It is also called the Junior Kindergarten (Jr. KG) stage.
  • UKG/KG-II: It is also called the Senior Kindergarten (Sr. KG) stage.

The Key Activities of our Three-Year Kindergarten Programme

(Activities have been designed at three levels/stages (Balvatika, KGI & KGII)

  • Cognitive, Emotional and Social Development: The program encourages children to enhance their learning abilities in a holistic manner.
  • Play-based and Activity-based Learning: The curriculum has been designed to cater to the development of physical, mental and emotional needs of children.
  • Language Development: Focuses on enhancing listening, speaking and comprehension skills.
  • Mathematical Thinking: Encourages understanding of numbers, shapes and patterns.
  • Physical Development: Promotes gross motor skills such as running, jumping and maintaining balance.
  • Social Skills: Facilitate participation in group activities, understanding cooperation and forming friendship.

 

Conclusion

The National Education Policy of India (NEP 2020) is structured to align with international best practices and mandates that every student completes 15 years of education in school. Additionally, it is to be noted that Balvatika is not optional and cannot be skipped.  According to CBSE, India, the completion of three years of Kindergarten ( Balvatika , KGI and KGII) is mandatory for a child’s progression to Class – 1.