Let’s meet Bela Bhasin, Kanika Bahl & Rimjhim Banerjee co-founders of Courtyard a holistic day-care and preschool experience for young children where they learn skills, knowledge and attitudes that are required to be happy and productive members of any community. Together they started it in 2013.

Bela Bhasin – A graduate of Delhi University, Bela has a vast experience in teaching children using the latest research and techniques of child learning and development. In the past she has worked with the Delhi Public School, St. Hilda’s School in London, and The Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai. She was also on the board for Le Bocage International School during her time in Mauritius. She has worked with numerous non-profit organizations and has also been instrumental in designing the curriculum for the government-run Balwadis.

Kanika Bahl – Completed her Master’s from Lady Irwin College, New Delhi and went on to teach at the University of Madras and the University of Mumbai. She also taught Visual Art at the SPJ Sadhana School for developmentally challenged children. She is a talented artist and baker and she brings hands-on learning methods to the children at The Courtyard.

Rimjhim Banerjee – A graduate in Science with vast experience in the field of Early Childcare and Education, has taught in schools in India, Singapore and London. She has completed the Cambridge International Primary Programme and has an International Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy, for Early Childhood, from London. She is also trained in the Ruth Miskin Literacy Programme (Acorn Nursery School, London). Ms. Banerjee is certified in Paediatric First Aid (Pre-Med Health Care Limited, London).

How did u plan to start Courtyard and how has the journey been, given south Mumbai doesn’t have many daycares?

Answer. Precisely the reason, that south mumbai had hardly any daycares, but enough working moms who had either their own set up or were working with companies. So the founders decided to do a daycare instead of only Preschool with the difference that our preschool programme will be parallel to the other premium preschools in town as a result for a working mother we have become a one stop solution. We started with 3 children and now are 39. Our centre has a capacity of 44-50 children. We have grown organically by word of mouth only so far.

What is the USP of Courtyard – what makes it different?

• Premium daycare with low adult child ratio exceeding the international standards
• 1:1 ratio for babies , Start at 6 months and go on till 6 years
• Premium Preschool with only 8 children per class .

What next for Courtyard. Where do you see the courtyard brand few years from now.?

Next would be able to touch many more lives of working moms by providing high quality education and care for their child in early years.  We want to set up on-site daycares in Mumbai and pan India for companies and few stand alone centres in partnership with like minded people in the suburbs.  Few years from now we would like to be identified as the no 1 daycare because of the quality of care, education and service we provide.