Online Preschool for Ages 3 to 5: Nursery, KG1 and KG2
One or two hours of live, active learning each day, with a consistent homeroom facilitator who gets to know your child across the school year.
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Quick enquiry
The right preschool does more than prepare your child for the next grade. It helps them enjoy learning, express themselves, ask questions, and grow in confidence.
At 21K School, your child learns live from home in a small class led by one consistent homeroom facilitator. 21K School is not affiliated with CBSE. Every session blends conversation, stories, music, movement, play, and hands-on activities. Our teachers, whom we call facilitators, deliver lessons tailored to early childhood development. Choose Nursery, KG1, or KG2 through the Indian Pre-Primary or British Early Years pathway to give your child a joyful educational beginning built around who they are.
Why parents choose 21K School’s Online preschool
Small live classes, a familiar homeroom facilitator and active learning create a preschool experience built around participation and connection.
Choosing an online preschool is an important decision. You want the flexibility of learning from home without sacrificing individual attention, peer relationships, or a strong academic foundation.
21K School combines small live classes, a consistent homeroom facilitator, active learning, and a structured curriculum. Your child is not expected to sit quietly and watch a screen. They speak, move, make, sing, question, and interact with other children. You stay connected to their daily learning journey through our Learning Coach partnership and regular conversations with the facilitator.
Small Classes Where Your Child Is Known
Nursery classes are capped at 10 learners. KG1 and KG2 classes are capped at 15. These are maximum class sizes, not averages. A smaller group gives each child more opportunities to speak, respond, share their work and receive personal attention.
One Facilitator Your Child Knows by Name
The same homeroom facilitator stays with the class throughout the academic year and leads the core learning experience. This continuity helps young children feel secure and gives the facilitator time to understand how each child communicates, participates and progresses.
Learning That Fits Your Family’s Day
Choose from morning, mid-morning, afternoon and evening class timings, subject to availability. Nursery learners attend one hour of live classes a day. KG1 and KG2 learners attend two hours a day, Monday to Friday. The remaining time is available for play, family, rest and offline exploration.
Nursery, KG1 or KG2: Which level fits your child?
Age provides the starting point for placement, with developmental readiness considered where an exception requires review.
The right starting level depends on your child’s age and developmental readiness. The standard age is considered as of 1 July of the academic year. In exceptional cases, a child who reaches the required age by 30 September may be considered after review.
- Level
- Nursery
- Target Age Group
- 3 to 4 Years
- Available Pathways
- Indian Pre-Primary Pathway
- Daily Live Class Duration
- 1 Hour / Day (Mon–Fri)
- Maximum Class Size
- 10 Learners
- Level
- KG1 / LKG
- Target Age Group
- 4 to 5 Years
- Available Pathways
- Indian Pre-Primary & British Early Years Pathways
- Daily Live Class Duration
- 2 Hours / Day (Mon–Fri)
- Maximum Class Size
- 15 Learners
- Level
- KG2 / UKG
- Target Age Group
- 5 to 6 Years
- Available Pathways
- Indian Pre-Primary & British Early Years Pathways
- Daily Live Class Duration
- 2 Hours / Day (Mon–Fri)
- Maximum Class Size
- 15 Learners
What is nursery
Nursery is the first stage of the Indian Pre-Primary pathway and is recommended for children aged 3 to 4. The experience introduces routines, communication, movement, creative expression and early concepts through play and guided activities. Nursery classes run for one hour a day and are capped at 10 learners.
What is KG1 or LKG
KG1, commonly understood as LKG in India, is recommended for children aged 4 to 5. It is available in both the Indian Pre-Primary and British Early Years pathways. Children build language, early numeracy, physical coordination, social confidence and the ability to participate more independently. Classes run for two hours a day and are capped at 15 learners.
What is KG2 or UKG
KG2, commonly understood as UKG in India, is recommended for children aged 5 to 6. In the British pathway, this stage corresponds to Year 1. Learning becomes more structured while remaining active and age-appropriate, helping children develop the knowledge, skills and learning habits needed to progress into Indian Grade 1 or British Year 2 at age 6.
Not Sure Where Your Child Should Begin
Book a call with an academic counsellor. We will help you understand the two pathways, age criteria and the level that best supports your child.
What your child studies
Six connected areas of development come together through play, conversation, stories, movement and meaningful themes.
Early learning at 21K School nurtures the child as a whole—developing how they communicate, move, think, relate to others, explore ideas, and build confidence as a learner.
Six connected areas shape the experience
Communication and Literacy
Children develop listening, oral expression, vocabulary, early reading, and letter formation through stories, conversation, phonics, and language games.
Early Mathematics
Children explore numbers, counting, patterns, shapes, spatial awareness, and mathematical reasoning using physical objects, stories, and familiar scenarios.
Physical Development
Guided movement, rhythm, action songs, and fine-motor tasks strengthen gross motor control, hand-eye coordination, balance, and physical habits.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Children learn to identify emotions, participate in group activities, share, wait for turns, express needs, and build positive peer relationships.
Understanding the World
Monthly themes encourage children to observe, question, and explore nature, community roles, animals, weather, simple technology, and daily life.
Creative Expression
Art, craft, music, singing, dramatic play, and movement allow children to express ideas, experiment with materials, and enjoy creative tasks.
Habits of Mind from the early years
Children cultivate age-appropriate Habits of Mind through daily learning: listening with understanding, persisting with tasks, asking questions, thinking flexibly, and collaborating with peers. These habits form a natural part of daily classroom interaction.
21K School is the first school in Asia recognized as an International Habits of Mind Learning Community of Excellence.
Indian pre-primary or British early years: How to choose
Both pathways offer the same live, small-class experience, with different curriculum progression as your child moves into the next stage of school.
Both pathways deliver small live classes, a consistent homeroom facilitator, active learning, and a Learning Coach partnership. The difference lies in the curriculum progression and learning resources used.
- Pathway Aspect
- Levels Offered
- Indian Pre-Primary Pathway
- Nursery, KG1 (LKG), and KG2 (UKG)
- British Early Years Pathway
- KG1 and KG2 (Corresponding to Year 1)
- Pathway Aspect
- Curriculum Framework
- Indian Pre-Primary Pathway
- Draws on Early Years Foundation Stage; aligned with India's NCF
- British Early Years Pathway
- Aligned with British Early Years and Cambridge Primary progression
- Pathway Aspect
- Learning Materials
- Indian Pre-Primary Pathway
- NCF-aligned program books and physical learning kit
- British Early Years Pathway
- British Early Years and Cambridge-aligned learning resources
- Pathway Aspect
- Primary School Progression
- Indian Pre-Primary Pathway
- Leads directly into Indian Grade 1
- British Early Years Pathway
- Leads directly into British Year 2
How to choose
Choose the pathway based on where you expect your child to continue primary schooling, the curriculum progression you prefer and your family’s longer-term plans. You do not have to decide alone. An academic counsellor can explain the practical differences and help you make an informed choice.
Can a young child really engage online
Yes, because live classes are built on doing, not watching.
Yes. Live classes are designed specifically for young attention spans, emphasizing active participation rather than passive screen watching.
Facilitators rotate activity modes frequently—incorporating stories, action songs, show-and-tell, group conversations, movement breaks, and hands-on activities with household objects. The screen serves as a tool for connection and guidance, while active learning occurs through speaking, moving, drawing, making, and exploring.
How we approach screen time
One or two hours of active live learning each weekday, with the rest of the learning experience continuing offline.
Nursery learners attend one hour of live class each weekday. KG1 and KG2 learners attend two hours. These sessions are interactive rather than passive, with regular shifts between looking, listening, responding, moving and working with materials.
Live sessions form only one part of your child's day. Learning continues offline through physical books, play, creative tasks, outdoor observation, and family routines supported by the Learning Coach. Our goal is purposeful screen time within a balanced early-years routine.
How children build social confidence
Familiar classmates, shared assemblies, collaborative activities and selected in-person meet-ups create opportunities to connect and participate.
Online preschool fosters genuine peer relationships. Children see, speak with, and collaborate with the same classmates every day. They participate in class assemblies, celebrations, show-and-tell sessions, and shared projects that teach group participation, turn-taking, and listening skills.
Families can also attend selected in-person gatherings in major cities based on location and the annual calendar. These events include art carnivals, nature walks, sports meetups, family fun days, and day excursions. Availability varies by city and event calendar. Learn more about in-person events.
A typical week
Live learning runs Monday to Friday, with a monthly theme connecting the week and a home learning kit supporting hands-on exploration.
Live classes run from Monday to Friday. Families can choose from available morning, mid-morning, afternoon or evening class timings.
- Option / Level
- Daily Duration
- Nursery (Ages 3–4)
- 1 Hour / Day
- KG1 & KG2 (Ages 4–6)
- 2 Hours / Day
- Option / Level
- Max Class Size
- Nursery (Ages 3–4)
- 10 Learners
- KG1 & KG2 (Ages 4–6)
- 15 Learners
- Option / Level
- Schedule Choices
- Nursery (Ages 3–4)
- Morning, Mid-Morning, Afternoon, Evening
- KG1 & KG2 (Ages 4–6)
- Morning, Mid-Morning, Afternoon, Evening
- Option / Level
- Core Structure
- Nursery (Ages 3–4)
- Monthly thematic integration across story, art, numbers, and movement
- KG1 & KG2 (Ages 4–6)
- Monthly thematic integration across literacy, math, science, and creative arts
Physical learning kit
A physical learning kit is delivered directly to your home. It contains program books, supporting learning materials, a school T-shirt, and a student ID card. For hands-on live sessions, facilitators may ask the Learning Coach to gather basic, safe household items.
Worried about friendships online? Ask how preschool classes build them.
The learning coach: Your child’s partner at home
A parent, grandparent or caregiver who supports your child’s learning experience at home—without taking on the role of teacher.
Every preschool learner requires an adult Learning Coach—a parent, grandparent, or dedicated caregiver.
The Learning Coach remains present during live sessions to assist with device setup, transition between activities, and material management. Beyond live classes, the Learning Coach supports offline activities and maintains regular communication with the homeroom facilitator. The Learning Coach does not replace the facilitator or teach the curriculum; they provide a supportive bridge between school and home.
Facilitators selected for early learners
One consistent homeroom facilitator, qualified and trained to support the learning and developmental needs of young children.
Every preschool class is led by one homeroom facilitator throughout the year. Facilitators are graduates with an early-childhood or teacher-training qualification, or a B.Ed., in line with the school’s recruitment criteria. The average teaching experience is 6.7 years.
Qualifications matter, but early-years teaching also requires warmth, energy, patience and the ability to connect with young children. Facilitators receive initial and continuing professional development in areas such as phonetics, social-emotional development, child psychology and learning science.
How your child’s progress is understood
Observations, portfolios and progress reports help families see how their child is developing over time, without marks, ranks or competition.
Preschool progress is evaluated without numerical marks, class ranks, or competition. Facilitators monitor each child's growth in communication, motor skills, social participation, and concept understanding over time.
Parents receive progress information through structured channels:
Narrative Observations
Detailed qualitative feedback on participation and social development.
Skill-Development Indicators
Periodic tracking of core literacy, numeracy, and motor milestones.
Learner Portfolios
Collections of physical and digital artwork, writing samples, and project work.
Term & Annual Reports
Comprehensive developmental summaries shared at the end of each term.
Facilitator Conversations
On-demand parent-teacher meetings, informal post-class chats, and group parent meetups.
External benchmark testing is not conducted at the preschool level, ensuring learning remains positive, reassuring, and child-centered.
What your child carries into primary school
Confident, curious and ready to progress into Indian Grade 1 or British Year 2.
By the end of KG2, your child is ready for a primary curriculum, and for the act of learning itself.
The program develops core capabilities in communication, early literacy, number sense, motor control, inquiry, social skills, and age-appropriate Habits of Mind. Children learn to listen, express their ideas, persist through challenges, collaborate with peers, and approach new concepts with confidence. The result is a curious learner equipped to enter Indian Grade 1 or British Year 2.
Admissions and entry
Four start months across the year, subject to your child’s age, developmental readiness and available places.
Classes start in April, June, September, and January. Families choose any cohort, subject to the learner's age, developmental readiness, seat availability, and the academic calendar.
Book a call to discuss the right pathway, level, class timing and available start for your child.
What is included
Everything your child needs to take part in the 21K School preschool programme, from live learning and resources to progress support and family connection.
Preschool tuition covers a complete educational framework along with clear details on optional extras:
Included in core fee
Daily live classes (Mon–Fri), assigned homeroom facilitator, small class cap (10 for Nursery; 15 for KG1/KG2), home-delivered physical learning kit, program books, developmental progress reports, and parent portal access.
What costs extra
Optional city-based in-person meetups, day trips, and specialized extracurricular events.
What preschool parents say
Families share what their child’s first years of school with 21K have felt like—from settling into live classes to becoming more confident and independent.
Hear from 21K families
Discover how preschool families found a joyful, reassuring start to learning through familiar facilitators, active classes and a strong partnership with the Learning Coach.
“Hope this message finds you well. First of All a big Thanks to all the members of 21 k school for all the support and care. It was such a great experience and joy for my child to be a part of this school. As a parent we are happy and grateful to all the teachers and staff for helping our child to enjoy learning.”
Questions parents ask about online preschool
Is 21K School a complete online preschool or a supplementary class?
It is a structured preschool programme with live weekday classes, curriculum progression, a homeroom facilitator, a learning kit, developmental observations, reports and parent engagement. It is not an online tuition class or a library of recorded videos.
How long is my child online each day?
Nursery learners attend one hour of live classes a day. KG1 and KG2 learners attend two hours a day, Monday to Friday. Sessions combine conversation, movement, music, hands-on activities and peer interaction rather than continuous passive viewing.
Will my child be able to sit through an online class?
The class is not designed around sitting still for the entire session. Facilitators use short, varied experiences such as stories, songs, movement, show-and-tell, discussion and activities. The Learning Coach also supports the child with transitions and participation.
How does my child socialise in an online preschool?
Children interact with the same facilitator and classmates regularly through live classes, assemblies, celebrations, collaborative work and informal peer interaction. Selected in-person events are also offered in major cities, depending on location and the annual calendar.
Do I need to be the Learning Coach?
The Learning Coach can be a parent, grandparent or another responsible adult caregiver. The adult must be present during live learning and able to support setup, transitions, activities and communication with the facilitator.
How many children are in a class?
Nursery classes are capped at 10 learners. KG1 and KG2 classes are capped at 15.
What is the right age for Nursery KG1 and KG2?
Nursery is recommended for ages 3 to 4, KG1 for ages 4 to 5 and KG2 for ages 5 to 6. The standard age is considered as of 1 July. Exceptional cases may be considered where the child reaches the required age by 30 September.
What is the difference between the Indian and British pathways?
The Indian Pre-Primary pathway offers Nursery, KG1 and KG2 and progresses to Indian Grade 1. The British Early Years pathway begins at KG1, continues through KG2 or Year 1 and progresses to British Year 2. Both provide a structured early-years experience, but their curriculum progression and learning resources differ.
Will my child be tested?
There are no marks, ranks or external benchmark tests in preschool. Progress is understood through observation, portfolios, skill-development indicators and reports.
What comes in the learning kit?
The home-delivered kit includes programme books and supporting school materials, along with the learner’s school T-shirt and ID card. The exact contents are shared with families for the selected level before admission.
How do I choose the best online preschool for my child?
Look beyond convenience. Ask whether classes are live, how many children are in each class, whether one facilitator knows your child throughout the year, how active the sessions are, how progress is communicated, what role the adult at home plays and where the curriculum leads next.