New Delhi: ICON Preschool, one of India’s fastest-growing pre-school and day care, announces its major milestone. Surpassing over 90 operational branches across India, the brand now aims for 200 more branches by 2027, further strengthening its presence in both metros and tier-2 cities.
Founded in 2005, ICON Preschool has been guided by a simple vision: to make early education joyful, accessible, and nurturing. Over the years, parents have come to trust ICON for its unique blend of Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Indian values. “At ICON, we want kids to explore, ask questions, and feel loved; never pressured,” said Mr. Sunil Tyagi, Director at ICON Preschool. “We start with empathy, that’s what sparks confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning.”
Every ICON Preschool center sticks to a structured but flexible curriculum, built around India’s National Curriculum Framework. At ICON Nurturing Innocence, the curriculum mixes hands-on activities with solid theory, all shaped around what kids really need at each age. They call their unique approach the “Nurture Innocence Framework,” and it shows in everything they do. Kids grow through play, stories, music, and hands-on adventures. Social and emotional skills matter just as much as academics. Classrooms are much more welcoming, with colourful designs and features like CCTV cameras for security for child safety, developmentally appropriate toys for every age, and outdoor areas where children can play freely. “We’re not chasing numbers for the sake of it,” said Mr. Mukul Tyagi, Director at ICON Preschool. “Every franchise partner learns how to build that same warm, trustworthy environment. No matter where a child lives, we want them to feel safe and inspired at ICON.”
Preschools in India have witnessed steady growth over the last decade, especially a sharp increase post covid, driven by more awareness about early childhood learning and more households where both parents work. In the middle of this shift, ICON Preschool’s focus on quality and emotional well-being helped it stand out as a model for sustainable preschool growth.
Certified under ISO 9001:2015, ICON Preschool follows a robust system for teacher training, lesson planning, and quality assessment across all centers.
As a franchisor, ICON places significant emphasis on the following core operational principles. They pick franchise partners carefully to protect the brand. Every branch hires staff who are qualified and care about kids. Each location has a go-to person for clear communication. Strict adherence to school hours, with no operational communication permitted during teaching time (until 12:30 p.m.). All official communication is conducted in writing, minimising WhatsApp channels. Regular training and development for franchise owners. Every month, owners, heads, teachers, and support staff get together for sessions at the head office, on-site, or online.
Beyond franchise setup, the ICON Preschool team provides hands-on operational support and teacher training to ensure each location maintains consistent quality and care standards. They stay connected with their branches, keeping standards high as they grow. In Delhi-NCR, they check in face-to-face 18–20 times a year and handle another 30 or so catch-ups online. For branches that are farther away, most of the support happens online, but the connection stays strong.
ICON Preschool is preparing to introduce more digital tools, enhance teacher training, and launch parent engagement initiatives. These efforts are designed to reinforce communication between the preschool and families, strengthening ICON’s commitment to collaborative growth and community involvement. “Preschool is where it all begins,” Mr. Tyagi concluded. “At ICON Preschool, we want children to feel loved, parents to feel confident, and learning to grow naturally, one smile at a time.”
