Physical Development
Movement, coordination, balance, strength and fine-motor abilities.
At JUJU: Indoor and physical play, threading, clay and our handwriting readiness journey.
NEP 2020 · ECCE · NCF-FS
Rooted in India's Vision. Designed for Every Child.
JUJU's early learning approach is inspired by the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage — placing play, care, curiosity and the whole child at the heart of every day.
Home › NEP 2020
Why the Early Years Matter
The Strongest Foundations Are Built Before Six
NEP 2020 recognises that the early years shape a child's thinking, language, relationships and lifelong attitude towards learning. It brings Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for ages 3 to 6 into the school structure and calls for flexible, multi-faceted, play-based, activity-based and inquiry-based learning.
At JUJU, we see this as a responsibility: to give every child a joyful, caring and purposeful beginning — one that builds confidence and curiosity, not pressure.
“Early childhood is more than preparation for school. It is the foundation for a child's personality, values, relationships, thinking abilities and future potential.”
JUJU International Preschool
NEP 2020 Overview
From 10+2 to 5+3+3+4
NEP 2020 reorganises schooling into four stages that follow how children develop. Preschool is now part of the very first stage.
5FoundationalAges 3–83 years preschool + Grades 1–2
3PreparatoryAges 8–11Grades 3–5
3MiddleAges 11–14Grades 6–8
4SecondaryAges 14–18Grades 9–12
Where JUJU fits in the Foundational Stage
- Age 2–3Play GroupReadiness year
- Age 3–4NurseryPreschool 1
- Age 4–5Junior KGPreschool 2
- Age 5–6Senior KGPreschool 3
- Age 6–8Grades 1–2Primary school
NEP 2020 & ECCE · NCF-FS Domains
Nurturing the Whole Child
The National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage describes learning across interconnected areas of development. Our programmes are planned so that every day touches each of them.
Socio-Emotional & Ethical Development
Confidence, empathy, relationships, cooperation, self-regulation and positive values.
At JUJU: Circle time, turn-taking games, role play and everyday routines of sharing and care.
Cognitive Development
Thinking, memory, observation, reasoning, problem-solving and curiosity.
At JUJU: Puzzles, sorting, patterns, logic games and hands-on number work.
Language & Literacy Development
Listening, speaking, vocabulary, sound awareness, early reading and writing.
At JUJU: Stories, rhymes, conversations and our step-by-step phonics programme.
Aesthetic & Cultural Development
Art, music, movement, imagination, cultural experiences and creative expression.
At JUJU: Art and craft, music and dance, festivals, costume days and puppet shows.
Positive Learning Habits
Curiosity, participation, concentration, perseverance, independence and a willingness to learn.
At JUJU: Gentle routines, choice-based activities and celebrating every small effort.
Pancha
kosha
kosha
An Indian Lens on Development
The Five Layers of Panchakosha
NCF-FS draws on the Indian idea of Panchakosha — five interwoven layers of a child's being. Development is holistic when all five are nurtured together.
- Annamaya Physical
Healthy body, movement, nutrition and physical care.
- Pranamaya Life energy
Energy, rhythm, breathing and a calm, balanced routine.
- Manomaya Mind & emotions
Feelings, attention, relationships and emotional security.
- Vijnanamaya Intellect
Thinking, reasoning, curiosity and making sense of the world.
- Anandamaya Inner joy
Joy, wonder, creativity and a deep love for learning.
NEP for Early Learners
What NEP Asks For. How JUJU Delivers.
- Learning through play, activity and inquiry
Purposeful play, guided activities, stories and hands-on exploration form the heart of every classroom day.
- Development of the whole child
Learning is planned across all six developmental domains — not academics alone.
- Strong foundational literacy
Listening, sound awareness, phonics, vocabulary and gradual, joyful early reading.
- Strong foundational numeracy
Counting, numbers, shapes, patterns and real-life problem-solving with objects and pictures.
- Observation-based assessment, not exams
Progress is observed through activities, work samples and records — never by comparing children.
- Respect for language, culture and community
Stories, songs, festivals and conversations that celebrate where children come from.
- Safe, caring and inclusive environment
Age-appropriate supervision, respectful treatment and positive behaviour guidance.
- Parents as partners
Regular communication so families and teachers support each child together.
Foundational Literacy & Numeracy
Reading, Writing and Numbers — Built Step by Step
NEP 2020 makes foundational literacy and numeracy an urgent national priority, with the goal that every child achieves these skills by Grade 3. The preschool years are where that journey quietly begins.
At JUJU, language and numbers grow through sound, story, play and hands-on materials — at each child's pace.
Literacy
- Listen
- Sounds
- Letters
- Blend
- Read
- Write
Numeracy
- Sort
- Count
- Number
- Pattern
- Compare
- Solve
Play-Based · Activity-Based · Inquiry-Based
How Learning Happens at JUJU
- 01Explore
Children interact with materials, objects and their surroundings.
- 02Experience
Children participate in practical activities and meaningful situations.
- 03Understand
Teachers help children make connections through conversations and guided exploration.
- 04Express
Children communicate their ideas through words, art, movement and creative work.
- 05Apply
Children use what they learn in familiar situations and new activities.
- 06Reflect
Teachers observe learning and plan appropriate next steps.
Assessment the NEP Way
Every Little Achievement Matters
We understand that children develop at different rates. Our approach focuses on observing developmental progress rather than comparing children against one another.
- What a child can do independently.
- What a child can do with guidance.
- Which interests and strengths are emerging.
- Which developmental areas need additional support.
- What learning experiences may be appropriate next.
ObservationClassroom observations
ParticipationActivities & play
PortfolioWork samples
RecordsLearning records
PartnershipParent interactions
No exams. No comparison. Just a clear picture of each child's growth — shared with families.
Our Values
The Values That Guide Us
Policies give direction. Values decide how a child feels every single day.
- Joy
Childhood is celebrated, never rushed.
- Respect
Every child is valued, heard and treated with dignity.
- Curiosity
Questions are welcomed and wonder is encouraged.
- Inclusion
Every child learns at their own pace and in their own way.
- Rootedness
Learning that honours our languages, culture and community.
- Partnership
Parents and teachers grow children together.
NEP 2020 — Questions from Parents
Clear Answers, Simply Explained
Want to know more about how NEP 2020 shapes your child's day at JUJU? Our academic team is happy to help.
Talk to Our Academic TeamWhat is NEP 2020?
The National Education Policy 2020 is India's education policy. It replaces the earlier 10+2 school structure with a 5+3+3+4 design and gives special importance to early childhood care and education and foundational learning.
Where does preschool fit in the 5+3+3+4 structure?
The first stage — the Foundational Stage — covers ages 3 to 8: three years of preschool followed by Grades 1 and 2. At JUJU, Nursery, Junior KG and Senior KG correspond to the three preschool years of this stage.
Is Playgroup part of the NEP Foundational Stage?
Playgroup at JUJU is an early-years readiness programme for children aged 2–3. The NEP Foundational Stage formally begins at age 3 and covers three years of preschool education followed by Grades 1 and 2.
What is NCF-FS?
The National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCF-FS), released in 2022, guides learning for children aged 3 to 8. It describes development across physical, socio-emotional and ethical, cognitive, language and literacy, and aesthetic and cultural domains, along with positive learning habits — and places play at the centre of learning.
Does NEP mean more academics for young children?
No. The policy emphasises play-based, activity-based and inquiry-based learning in the early years. At JUJU, structured learning increases gradually with each stage while the joy of play remains central.
How is my child assessed?
Through age-appropriate observation — classroom activities, participation, work samples, learning records and parent interactions. We focus on each child's progress, not on comparison or exams.
Is JUJU officially certified for NEP 2020?
NEP 2020 is a policy framework, not a certification. JUJU's programmes are designed to be inspired by and aligned with its principles and the NCF-FS approach.
A Foundation Worthy of Every Child's Potential
Visit JUJU and see how NEP-inspired learning feels in a real classroom — joyful, caring and purposeful.
JUJU's programmes are inspired by and aligned with the principles of NEP 2020 and NCF-FS. NEP 2020 is a policy framework and does not certify individual schools.