What Bachpan Play School does

Bachpan Play School, operated under the legal entity S.K. Educations Pvt. Ltd., is India's largest preschool franchise network with 1,200+ centers across 400+ cities in India and Nepal and approximately 2 lakh (200,000+) children enrolled annually. Founded in 2004 in New Delhi by Mr. Ajay Gupta, the company delivers play-based early childhood education through four programs — Playgroup, Nursery, LKG, and UKG — for children aged 1.5 to 5 years, with corporate operations headquartered in Delhi and a workforce of 251-500 corporate staff supporting a far larger franchise workforce of teachers and school leaders (60% women-led school leadership). The revenue model combines B2C tuition paid by parents to individual franchise-operated centers with B2B franchise fees (initial investment of ₹15+ lakhs per center plus ongoing royalties) and curriculum/technology licensing to franchisees.

The core product stack is anchored by the proprietary SPROUT Curriculum — described as India's first preschool curriculum aligned with NEP 2020 and NCF-FS 2022, developed with 35,000+ hours of research — delivered across seven layers including Books, the Speak-O-Pen talking-pen system (nanotechnology-backed, 6 lakh+ audio files), Smart Class digital content, the 360° Support App (school automation with 360+ features and 500+ hours of digital content), the SILK activity kit, the STAR teacher guide, and the STORE teaching aids. Adjacent tech includes VR-based immersive 3D learning (Bachpan launched the first VR integration in Indian preschools in 2018), Robotime STEAM robotics kits, and Concept Rooms (AV, Play, Art & Craft, Doll, Gym, Ball, Dining) supporting multiple-intelligence development.

Go-to-market operates via a dual-sided franchise model: aspiring entrepreneurs acquire territory rights and receive end-to-end support (setup, training, recruitment, marketing, technology platform, ongoing operations), while parents are acquired primarily through local branch outreach and corporate brand campaigns including sports marketing (SunRisers Hyderabad partnership, 2023), brand ambassador activity (Saina Nehwal, 2024), and earned media in outlets such as Financial Express, India Today, and Dainik Bhaskar. The portfolio extends into the K-12 segment via the wholly-owned Academic Heights Public School (AHPS) subsidiary (120+ schools, founded 2009) and into edtech production via the wholly-owned Prismart Productions subsidiary (founded 2013).

Name

Bachpan Play School

Legal name

S.K. Educations Pvt. Ltd.

Website

https://bachpanglobal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Bachpan Play School, operating as S.K. Educations Pvt. Ltd., is India's largest preschool franchise network with 1,200+ centers across 400+ cities in India and Nepal, delivering play-based early childhood education for children aged 1.5-5 years through the proprietary SPROUT Curriculum and tech-enabled tools including VR, Speak-O-Pen, and the 360° Support App.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Preschool Education / Early Childhood Education

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nursery School Programs (2–4 Years) (EDACACAB), Academic/School-Readiness Preschools (EDACABAB)

Keywords

• Preschool education
• Early childhood learning
• Play-way methods
• Preschool franchise
• K-12 education

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Preschool Tuition Fees: Revenue generated from tuition and fees collected from parents for their children's preschool education programs including Playgroup, Nursery, LKG, and UKG
2. Franchise Fees: Initial franchise fee and ongoing royalty or support fees collected from franchise partners who operate Bachpan Play School centers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bachpan Play School operates a franchise-based preschool network delivering play-based early childhood education for children aged 1.5–5 years across India and Nepal. Its offering centers on the proprietary SPROUT Curriculum (aligned with NEP 2020) deployed through four programs (Playgroup, Nursery, LKG, UKG), supported by proprietary learning tools such as Speak-O-Kit, Smart Classes, VR, Robotime, SILK Kit, and the 360° Support App automation platform.

Product overview

Bachpan Play School is India's leading preschool network with 1200+ branches across 400+ cities since 2004, offering play-based early childhood education for children aged 1.5-5 years. The core product ecosystem comprises the proprietary SPROUT Curriculum (India's first NEP 2020-aligned preschool curriculum) supported by technology tools including Speak-O-Kit (nanotech talking pens/books), Smart Classes, Virtual Reality (VR), and Robotime kits, all managed through the 360° Support App (automation platform). The portfolio extends to the K-12 segment via Academic Heights Public School (AHPS), with technology services powered by Prismart Productions. Specialized offerings include Concept Rooms (AV, Doll, Ball, Gym, Art & Craft, Dining, Play Areas), Montessori Toys, and programs like Bachpan Baby Carnival, Olympiads, and ABCD dance competition. The company operates through a franchise model with 60% women-led school leadership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AHPS (Academic Heights Public School): K-12 school chain arm of Bachpan Play School, providing formal education beyond preschool with 120+ schools across India.
• Prismart Productions
• SPROUT Curriculum

Products and services

• Bachpan Play School Preschool Programs Play-based preschool education for children aged 1.5–5 years delivered through four programs — Playgroup (Level 1), Nursery (Level 2), LKG (Level 3), and UKG (Level 4) — operating across 1200+ Bachpan centers. Targeted at parents seeking holistic, technology-integrated early childhood education.
• SPROUT Curriculum Proprietary NEP 2020 and NCF-FS 2022-aligned preschool curriculum with 35,000+ hours of research, structured around 5 domains of child development and STEAM education, with 7 implementation layers (Books, Speak-O-Pen, Smart Class content, 360° Support App, SILK kit, STAR teacher guide, STORE teaching aids).
• Speak-O-Kit / Speak-O-Pen Nanotechnology-based passive learning tool consisting of talking books and audio pens, offering 6 lakh+ audio files for improved comprehension, pronunciation and self-directed learning anywhere, anytime. Used by preschool-age children.
• Smart Classes Interactive digital classrooms with powerful visuals, curriculum-mapped video content, engaging quizzes, and HD displays for concept reinforcement and increased learning retention. Used inside Bachpan preschool centers.
• 360° Support App Complete school automation platform with 360+ features and 500+ hours of digital content, including LMS module, virtual classroom, examination system, attendance tracking, GPS-tracked transport with CCTV streaming, library management, and role-based access for parents, teachers, students, principals and directors.
• Robotime Kit Educational robotics kit for preschoolers that builds foundational STEAM skills, problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, logical competence, and core life skills through age-appropriate hands-on assembly activities.
• Virtual Reality (VR) Classes First-ever VR integration in Indian preschool education, enabling immersive 3D learning experiences for children aged 2–5 years through virtual exploration of places and concepts with improved understanding, retention and recall.
• SILK Kit Curriculum-based DIY activity kit supporting Sensory, Intellectual, Linguistic, and Kinesthetic development of preschool children, while enhancing parental involvement and continued learning at home.
• Academic Heights Public School (AHPS) K-12 school chain with 120+ schools across India providing formal schooling with state-of-the-art infrastructure, integrated curriculum, and technology-enhanced teaching for Bachpan graduates and other students.
• Prismart Productions Education technology and digital learning solutions arm producing e-learning content, VR/AR and digital tools that power Bachpan's tech-driven learning environments and immersive preschool curricula.
• Bachpan Preschool Franchise Bachpan Play School franchise opportunity offering individual entrepreneurs an established preschool brand, SPROUT curriculum, Speak-O-Kit, Smart Classes, VR, training, marketing and end-to-end operational support, with an initial franchise investment of ₹15+ lakhs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of brain development occurs by age 6 - supporting the critical importance of preschool education
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• EkStep Foundation / Bachpan ManaomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026National televised event partnership through Made in Play Summit, hosted by NDTV and EkStep Foundation. Raises awareness about treating play as essential infrastructure for early childhood development, aligned with International Day of Play.
• Saina NehwalmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Badminton champion Saina Nehwal onboarded as brand ambassador for Bachpan Play School and Academic Heights Public School (AHPS) to enhance brand visibility and credibility.
• SunRisers HyderabadmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Bachpan became the Official School Education Partner for SunRisers Hyderabad cricket team, providing brand visibility through cricket franchise marketing and community engagement.
• Rishihood UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015India's first social-impact university co-founded by Mr. Ajay Gupta, Bachpan's founder. Provides inclusive education environment across schools including Creativity, Psychology and Education, Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, Rashtram School of Public Leadership, and Newton School of Technology.
• Prismart ProductionscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2013Tech-proficient arm of Bachpan established in 2013. Collaboration enabled the creation of e-learning content and digital tools for educational innovation, setting new standards for immersive learning environments.
• Academic Heights Public School (AHPS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009K-12 school arm of Bachpan established in 2009. Has grown to 120+ schools across India with state-of-the-art infrastructure and world-class integrated curriculum, extending Bachpan's premium early education experience into formal schooling.
• NDTVmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partnership for Made in Play Summit, a national televised event raising awareness about play as essential infrastructure for early childhood development in India.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kidzee (Zee Learn): Kidzee is India's largest preschool chain with ~1800+ centers operating under Zee Learn Limited. It is the most direct competitor to Bachpan, offering similar franchise-based preschool programs for the 1.5-6 year age group with play-based learning, technology integration, and a comparable fee structure targeting middle-class Indian families.
• EuroKids International: EuroKids is one of India's leading preschool chains with 1000+ centers, offering playgroup, nursery, and kindergarten programs through a franchise model. It competes directly with Bachpan in metro and tier-1 markets with similar curriculum philosophy, technology-enabled classrooms, and franchise-based distribution targeting urban Indian parents.
• Maple Bear Global Schools: Maple Bear operates 500+ preschools across India using a Canadian-based bilingual immersion curriculum delivered via franchise partners. It competes with Bachpan in the premium preschool segment, particularly among parents seeking English-medium early education with structured pedagogy and international brand association.
• Little Millennium (LSF): Little Millennium is an Indian preschool chain operated by Learning Skills Foundation (LSF) with 700+ centers across India. It is a direct franchise-based competitor offering similar Playgroup, Nursery, LKG, and UKG programs, with comparable play-based curriculum and technology integration for the same target demographic.
• Hello Kids Education India: Hello Kids is a fast-growing Indian preschool franchise chain with 600+ centers focused on play-based, activity-driven early learning. It competes with Bachpan primarily in tier 2 and tier 3 cities with a similar low-investment franchise model and standardized curriculum, targeting aspiring entrepreneurs seeking preschool business opportunities.
• Kangaroo Kids Education Limited: Kangaroo Kids operates premium preschools and K-12 schools in India with a focus on innovative learning methods including activity-based and brain-development programs. It is comparable to Bachpan as a franchise/owned-school operator serving affluent urban families seeking non-traditional early education, though with a smaller, more premium footprint.
• Smartkidz Preschool: Smartkidz Preschool is an Indian franchise preschool chain competing with Bachpan in tier 2-3 markets with similar low-investment franchise offerings, play-based curriculum, and tech-enabled classrooms. Comparable business model targeting the same entrepreneurial franchisee and parent customer segments.

Broad incumbents

• International Montessori Schools: International Montessori Schools represent an established global early childhood pedagogy that Bachpan incorporates elements of in its Montessori toys and play-based approach. While not a single competitor, the broader Montessori movement shapes parental expectations and competitive positioning for Indian preschool chains like Bachpan.

Others

• Pratham (NGO education network): Pratham is India's largest non-governmental education organization focused on pre-primary and primary education for underserved children. While not a direct competitor (NGO model vs. franchise), Pratham's policy advocacy and ECCE program scale influence the regulatory and reputational landscape in which Bachpan operates its commercial preschools.
• FirstCry (Brainbees Solutions): FirstCry is India's largest online retailer for kids' products including educational toys and learning aids. While not a preschool operator, FirstCry's product marketplace overlaps with Bachpan's merchandising of Montessori toys and learning tools, and the company represents an adjacent digital channel for parents that complements or competes for the same household education spend.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/bachpanglobal
• Facebookfacebook.com/bachpanschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/bachpanglobal
• Xx.com/bachpanschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bachpan Play School