As Indian preschool brands look outward, Mr. Aakash Gupta, Vice President (Asia Pacific) of Bachpan Play School, offers a perspective on international readiness and the evolving demands of early childhood learning. With over 1200 centers and more than 2 lakh children enrolled, the brand has grown steadily over the past two decades. Now, it is turning its attention to international markets where structured early education is evolving.
What’s driving the decision to expand Bachpan Play School internationally?
“We’ve built a strong foundation in India. Our systems, curriculum, and franchise model have matured to a point where they’re scalable. At the same time, we’re seeing rising demand in countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, regions that are actively investing in early education but lack affordable, structured options,” Gupta believes.
How’s Bachpan approaching new global markets?
“We’re entering each market with humility and homework,” Gupta shared. We are not just exporting a model, we are collaborating with local stakeholders to understand what early education means in their distinct contexts.
Where has Bachpan expanded internationally?
“We’ve already established a presence in Nepal, the UAE, and Singapore,” Gupta shared. These regions showed a strong demand for structured, affordable early education. Each expansion is rooted in understanding local needs while delivering our core philosophy of playful, purposeful learning.
With many education models out there, how does Bachpan’s approach redefine learning?
Bachpan’s SPROUT Curriculum, aligns with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. According to Gupta, the curriculum integrates interactive features aimed at increasing engagement among early learners.
Along with its teaching learning materials and tools, the preschool chain offers devices like the Speak-O-Pen (Speaking Pen) and Silk-Kit, which aim to support multisensory learning. “These tools are not meant to replace teachers, but to enhance the learning environment and keep young learners engaged,” Gupta explained further.
Expanding internationally involves cultural and regulatory challenges. How is the brand preparing for that?
Gupta acknowledged the need for localization. “We’re currently working on adapting SPROUT for foundational purposes. At the same time, our franchise model is being fine-tuned to ensure its flexibility meets specific needs, while still maintaining our core learning philosophy.”
Many Indian education companies are looking abroad now. What sets Bachpan apart?
Innovation at scale, Gupta emphasized. He believes the brand’s adaptability across India’s varied regions may support its entry into global and international markets, where similar socioeconomic diversity exists. “We’ve implemented the same curriculum successfully in metros, tier-2 cities, and small towns. That adaptability gives us confidence.” – Gupta added.
Where do you see Bachpan Play School in five years?
“Presence in 20+ countries, with a sustainable and growing model in each,” Gupta said. “But more importantly, I want the brand to represent something meaningful in global education. I want to expand early learning that’s joyful, rooted, and accessible. That’s the larger mission.”
