Petals Preschool and Daycare is India’s leading early childhood education and care centre. We spoke to Preeti Kwatra, co-founder and CEO of the school. With over 23 years of experience as a child psychologist, mindful parenting coach, and edupreneur, her journey has been driven by one core mission—to ensure parents never have to choose between their careers and their child’s early well-being. This led to the creation of Petals Preschool & Daycare.
She strongly believes emotional safety and transparency form the foundation of early childhood. True care goes beyond supervision—children need love, security, and a nurturing environment before any real learning can happen. Over the years, working with thousands of families, her goal has been to replace parenting anxiety with trust and ease.
What are you observing about children’s mental health today?
There’s a growing concern, but the root cause is often misunderstood. While screens are blamed, they are only a symptom. The deeper issue is the lack of unstructured play.
Children today are over-scheduled, leaving little room to explore boredom, resolve conflicts, or build emotional resilience. We are raising intelligent children, but often at the cost of emotional strength. Emotional safety is not optional—it is the foundation on which all learning depends.
Why is separation anxiety still underestimated?
Separation anxiety is often dismissed as a phase, but that can be misleading. We tend to measure progress by how quickly a child stops crying, ignoring the emotional stress beneath.
For both child and parent, it is a significant emotional transition. When we overlook it, we risk invalidating the child’s feelings and ignoring our own instincts as caregivers. It deserves more empathy and attention than it typically receives.
When should parents be concerned?
It’s natural for children to have difficult mornings, but concern arises when anxiety begins at home—persistent crying, resistance, or physical complaints like stomach aches.
If this continues beyond the initial adjustment period or affects sleep, happiness, and learning, it’s a sign the child needs more support and a slower transition. Emotional safety must always come first.
How do early experiences shape long-term well-being?
Early emotional experiences play a lasting role in how children handle stress later in life. If a child frequently feels unsafe or unsupported, their brain remains in a heightened stress state.
On the other hand, a secure and nurturing environment builds resilience, confidence, and adaptability. Supporting children emotionally today helps safeguard their mental well-being in the future.
Do schools focus too much on academics?
Yes, often at the cost of emotional readiness. When children are pushed academically before they are emotionally prepared, it leads to anxiety rather than growth.
Emotional readiness is the true driver of learning. Without it, education rests on an unstable foundation. Schools and parents must prioritise how a child feels, not just what they achieve.
What inspired the SED Connect initiative?
SED Connect was created to focus on Social-Emotional Development, an area often overlooked. While education systems emphasise knowledge, they rarely address emotional skills like patience, empathy, and resilience. This initiative brings parents and educators together to nurture these skills, ensuring children are not just academically prepared but also emotionally equipped for life.
What kind of environment do you build at Petals preschool?
Our approach is entirely child-centric. We encourage exploration, choice, and individuality rather than rigid routines. We begin with emotional check-ins to understand each child’s mindset and provide a supportive environment where they feel safe expressing themselves. Continuous parent-teacher collaboration ensures consistency between home and school. When emotional safety is prioritised, learning becomes natural and joyful.
How do you prepare teachers for this role?
Teachers play a crucial role in a child’s emotional development. Our educators are ECCE-certified and trained to understand early brain development, with a focus on connection before correction.
We also ensure teachers are supported, with small class sizes and the right resources. A calm and happy teacher creates a secure environment where children feel comfortable and eager to learn.
What makes your approach different?
Our classrooms are designed to feel like an extension of home—safe, accessible, and engaging. From child-friendly infrastructure to strong safety systems and live updates for parents, transparency is key.
We focus on creating a space where children feel confident, secure, and free to explore, rather than confined by rigid structures.
How can parents make school transitions smoother?
Preparation starts at home. Talk positively about school, establish routines, and practice short goodbyes. Equally important is managing your own emotions—children sense and reflect them.
Building familiarity beforehand helps children feel secure. When parents are calm and confident, children transition more easily.
Can this model scale across India?
Yes, because it is built on systems rather than individuals. Consistent training ensures that every branch maintains the same standards in child care and parent communication, regardless of location.
One key message for parents?
A happy, calm parent nurtures a happy child. Your confidence and comfort directly influence how your child adapts to new environments.
How do attachment patterns affect children?
Secure attachment builds confidence. Children who feel safe at home are more likely to explore, adapt, and form positive relationships at school.
Role of teacher-child bonding in reducing anxiety?
After parents, teachers are the most important figures in a child’s early years. A strong bond fosters familiarity and trust, making transitions smoother and significantly reducing anxiety.
How can preschools become emotional ecosystems?
Preschools are a child’s first social environment. Beyond academics, they must support emotional expression and development. Simple practices—like creating safe spaces, encouraging emotional expression, and connecting before correcting—help children feel seen, heard, and secure. This emotional foundation is what truly supports lifelong growth.
It was nice to know the thoughts of the person behind Petals Preschool. It reinforces that when children feel safe, seen, and understood, learning becomes not just effective but joyful too.
Leave a Reply. I like it when you write to me.