In Pune’s preschool rush, teachers remain the heartbeat of early learning

At Sadhana Primary Vidyamandir in Hadapsar, news of Class 3 teacher Sharda Dawade’s transfer triggered tears among her students. A video of the moment went viral, flooded with heartfelt comments. One eight-year-old, Hamid Bendre, even wrote to Sharad Pawar pleading for her to stay. Parents recalled how Dawade filled notebooks with smileys, shared her lunch with fussy eaters, and transformed Math into play. “She treated every child as her own,” said Suyog Bendre, one of Hamid’s parents.

Dawade’s patient coaxing, he added, helped even the most reserved children speak up in class. Such a bond, parents felt, cannot be transferred. Dawade’s story is not an isolated one. It is a poignant reminder that beyond any classroom it is the teacher who truly shapes young lives.

According to a recent registration drive by the state education department, Pune district leads Maharashtra in kindergarten enrolments, with nearly 1,850 registered private pre-primary centres. Over 680 preschools are already operating across the city, from small neighbourhood setups to international-branded chains. The surge reflects rising parental demand for structured early education. But as schools highlight glossy façades, air-conditioned classrooms, and international syllabi, many wonder if in this rush for infrastructure, is the teacher’s role being overlooked?

“When parents walk in for admissions, the first questions are always about facilities — smartboards, CCTVs, apps, curriculum labels,” said Mayuri Parmar, centre head of Firstcry Intellitots Preschool at Bibwewadi. “But six months later, when I ask what they value most, they always talk about how their class teacher handled their child’s separation anxiety or made phonics fun. Ultimately, it always comes back to the teacher.” she says.

Behind Pune’s preschool boom is a workforce that often goes underpaid and lesser acknowledged. “We manage lesson planning, school events, parents’ WhatsApp groups, and administrative chores,” said Sneha Shah, an associate teacher with an international preschool chain. “The hours are long, the salaries are modest, and transfers are unpredictable. But I love being with students. My passion to teach motivates me, and I am glad to be a part of their everyday life.” Whether it is soothing a crying child, guiding tiny fingers to hold a pencil, or watching over nap time, a preschool teacher often becomes a stand-in mother for the hours a child spends away from home.

For parents, the difference a teacher makes is deeply personal. “Raising a child is not something parents can do alone. Teachers share that responsibility in the most crucial years,” said Nikita Singh, a toddler-mom. “They give us the reassurance that our child is safe, learning, and cared for, while we manage the daily grind.” “When my son joined the nursery, he cried every single morning,” recalled Nidhi Shah, a parent from Sopan Baug. “His teacher would sit with him at lunch, hold his hand during activities, and slowly he started enjoying school and running into class.”

Dr Ganpat More, deputy director of education for the Pune region, said the department has now brought preschools under its ambit, making registration mandatory for every centre in the city. “We are also working towards making a uniform syllabus for early education,” he said. “With the rapid mushrooming of preschools, our aim is to ensure that teachers are well trained and that children receive comparable learning across institutions. This will also reduce bias when students seek admission to higher schools.”

Dr Ankita Sanghvi, founder of Innocent Times preschool and a special educator, emphasised the importance of inclusivity in early education. “Every classroom has children who pick up lessons quickly and others who struggle,” she said. “The real task of a teacher is not with the easy ones, but with those who need more patience and encouragement. A good teacher makes every child feel included, valued, and capable — even if learning doesn’t come naturally to them.” She added that teachers are often the first to notice developmental differences, making their sensitivity and awareness crucial for a child’s future.

Even outside classrooms, the role of teachers continues. “With parents balancing work and household demands, they count on home- tutors like us to give children personal attention,” said Shweta Sumit Jain, a home tutor. “Any teacher becomes part of the child’s growing-up journey. My relationship with my students is more than academics. They share their problems apart from studies too and I guide and mentor them whenever needed.” she adds

“Any school with great infrastructure but without committed teachers, is hollow.” says veteran educationist Dr. Vidya Deodhar, former principal of Ness Wadia College of Commerce, “From chalk to smartboards, from slates to tablets — the medium keeps evolving. But the teacher’s role as guide, nurturer, and moral compass remains timeless. Technology can deliver information, but only a teacher can look into a child’s eyes and recognise fear, curiosity, or wonder. That human connection is what truly shapes learning. In India, the guru–shishya bond has been revered since the Vedic age. No AI or chatbot can ever instill values, discipline, or the spirit of inquiry the way a teacher can.” she adds.