As the hot sun shines in Rajasthan and other north states in India, schools are getting ready to wrap up for the summer break. According to the Shivira school calendar released by the govt of Rajasthan, summer vacation will start from May 17 and last until June 30, 2025.

At Open Fields School, we think learning goes beyond the classroom. It’s about exploring, connecting with each other, and enjoying some downtime. With the school year coming to a close, it's time for our kids to take a break, recharge, and spend quality time with family.

🌞 Why Summer Break is Important: Summer vacation is a long vacation of about 50 days. These holidays gives kids a chance to explore a lot outside of classrooms which they otherwise are unable to do so because of busy school schedules: During the summer break, the kids can

1. Relax their minds and bodies.
2. Travel with family to experience the world and make great memories.
3. Explore new hobbies and life skills.
4. Stay cool and avoid heat-related health issues by spending time indoors.

📚 Learning Continues Our teachers have put together some fun holiday sheets and light activities to keep kids engaged, but still allow for plenty of relaxation. Be sure to check the holiday homework for more details.

🌈 See You in July! We'll miss the sounds of laughter and activity in our hallways, but we know how important this break is for our students. We encourage everyone to make the most of this time—read new books, plant some trees, practice yoga, and try new hobbies. Schools will reopen from July 1, 2025 and we will eagerly wait to welcome back all our students with refreshed minds and big smiles. Until then, enjoy the sunshine, mangoes, and the fun of summer.

Stay safe, stay cool, and keep learning—because at Open Fields School - the best school in Bharatpur, we believe every time is a time for growth.

Unlike yesteryears, there are a variety of pre school models today, with each having a different philosophy concerning learning and child development. While it may mean more choices for the parents, it is also a difficult decision to decide between the type of pre school program most suitable for their child. Familiarize yourself with your possibilities before making any decision.

At this early stage, the proper program can assist children in developing social skills, self-reliance, curiosity, and a lifetime passion for learning. Although every quality pre school wants to offer these advantages, the approach can differ greatly.

Let's discuss the most common forms of pre school programs to assist you in determining what's best for your child:

1. Montessori Program The Montessori approach promotes independence, choice, and hands-on activity. Classrooms are arranged with materials appropriate to the age, and children work at their own pace. The teacher mostly plays the role of a facilitator instead of a conventional teacher.

Best for: Children who excel in an independent learning setting.

2. Play-Based or Developmental Program Also known as “child-centered” or “play schools,” these programs focus on learning through play. Activities are designed to promote cognitive, social, and motor skills through storytelling, role-play, and group games.

Best for: Young children who learn best through interaction and exploration.

Many schools claim to follow this approach however creating a nurturing atmosphere which allows to learn through play while also balancing academics is a difficult task.

3. Academic or Structured Programs These schools have a more structured curriculum in early reading, mathematics, and other learning fundamentals. Although play is still present, the focus here is on kindergarten preparation.

Best for: Parents who are looking for a more structured educational track from the beginning.

4. Waldorf Program Waldorf pre schools focus on creativity, imagination, and rhythm. Storytelling, music, nature walks, and art activity are provided, with minimal exposure to technology.

Best suited for: Families that appreciate integrated growth and creative play.

5. Reggio Emilia Approach This method, which started in Italy, focuses on teamwork, creativity, and communication. Teachers follow the child's interest and organize activities around them, inspiring learning through projects and community engagement.

Best suited for: Children who excel in communicative and expressive settings.

How to Choose the Right Program When choosing a pre school, pay attention to your child's temperament, your own family values, and the atmosphere of the school. Search for programs that strike a balance among safety, trained teachers, and a mix between academics and play.

A balanced school—such as Open Fields School—combines a few of these methods to cater to various learning styles. For instance, the school effectively incorporates play-based techniques along with structured learning, providing a warm and welcoming environment for all children.

Final Thoughts Each child is special, and the optimal pre school program is one that celebrates their individuality while allowing them to develop. Whether play-based or academically focused, the key is that your child is joyful, secure, and eager to learn.

As a parent, trust your instincts—and don't be afraid to visit schools, speak with teachers, and watch classroom dynamics. Ask questions which are potential downsides of a model and carefully observe whether the staff truly believes in the model or they shift their ideology as per their admission needs.

A good beginning in pre school sets the stage for a lifetime of learning and exploration.

Earth Day calls on individuals, organisations and government to take responsibility for protecting the planet. We at Open Fields School celebrated the day with activities designed to foster in our pupils a profound sense of love, care, and responsibility for our planet. Our students were able to learn and express themselves to take significant action for a more environmentally friendly future.

🌍 A Promise was made The Earth Day began with a special morning assembly in which students from all age groups gathered to make a promise — A promise to recycle, reuse and protect nature in every feasible way. It was inspiring to see young students, keeping their hands raised high, promise to be green citizens of the future.

🌿 Donation Drive We organised a Donation Drive, in association with Yuva Sewa Samiti, to donate used clothes, books, toys, and stationery. The aim of the donation drive was to inculcate the value of giving in our young ones, and also help those in need. Every year, as the weather and academic session changes, there are people who sell these articles in junk while holding an immense value for a section of our society. Our donation drive helped these people and their kids in continuing their education.

🎨 Poster Making Competition Our poster making competition provided students with an opportunity to convey their love and concern for Mother Earth in the form of colours and creativity. With slogans such as "Save Trees, Save Life" and "There is No Planet B", the students expressed the need to save the environment in a very elegant manner.

💃 Dancing to Nature's Rhythm The kids gave energetic performances on Earth Day-themed songs, singing and dancing with contagious energy. These performances enabled students to grasp environmental concepts in a fun and memorable manner.

Earth Day 2025 was not only an event—it was a movement of pure hearts and minds coming together for a kinder, greener, cleaner planet. By engaging students in worthwhile activities, we hope to raise future leaders who will not just dream of a better world but also a sustainable planet.

When it comes to the education of your child, it all starts much earlier than the age of formal schooling. Play school is usually the initial step, where the foundation of learning, socialisation, and emotional growth is laid. But the question that keeps many parents worried is: "What is the appropriate age to enrol in play school?"

Optimum Age According to experts, the ideal age for commencing play school is between 2.0 and 2.5 years. At this age, children start gaining curiosity, motor skills, simple language, and an inclination for exploring things. They become attentive and are capable of imbibing their environment as sponges.

But it also isn't all about age numerically. Readiness is the name of the game. Can your child express basic needs? Can he sit for a short story? Does he get along with others? If so, he may be ready for the wonderful world of play school.

Why Early Learning Matters Early childhood education lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning. In the organised environment of a well-planned play school, children

1. Learn to socialize with age-mates
2. Develop motor and cognitive skills
3. Gain confidence and independence
4. Introduced to discipline and routine
5. Discover through play-based learning

These experiences make children adjust better to formal school settings.

What to Look for in a Play school The right play school is as crucial as the age. Find:

1. Safe and caring environment
2. Experienced and sensitive staff
3. Activity-based learning modules
4. Age-suitable resources and toys
5. Clean, colourful, and stimulating environments

At Open Fields School in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, for example, the play school program is designed carefully to address the developmental requirements of children from 2 years of age onwards. The focus is on experiential learning, emotional well-being, and joyous discovery. In a friendly and welcoming environment, young learners feel at home as they embark on their journey of learning.

Listen to Your Child Every child is different. Some may be prepared at 2.0 years, while some others may require a few additional months. Do not hurry. Observe cues of emotional preparedness. Have faith in your instincts—and theirs.

Final Thoughts The ideal age to begin play school is when your child is developmentally prepared—usually between 24 and 30 months. Selecting the proper school and establishing a positive initial learning experience will set the tone for your child's outlook on education for years to come.

So, when you sense your little one is ready to make their first venture out of the home into a world of fun, friends, and exploration—you'll know.

The early years of a child's life set the stage for the rest of their life. 90% of a Child’s Brain Develops By Age 5 as per many scientific research. The quality of a child’s experiences in the first few years of life – positive or negative – will shape how their brain develops. And that these experiences will have lasting impact on their health and ability to learn and succeed in school and in life.

So the decision of which play school to send them to is one of the most significant that a parent will ever make. Here is a guide to help you choose a play school which is best for your child.

1. Child-Focused Philosophy A play school is not a day care centre where you drop your child just to spend some time. A play school has to be an educational institution where children learn, and are free to discover, express, and grow as individuals. Find out schools which focus on all-around development, and not mere learning by heart. Schools such as Open Fields School in Bharatpur merge learning with play and imagination to offer a school atmosphere where curiosity is the driving force.

2. Safe and Stimulating Environment Safety is not negotiable. Make sure the school has adequate security, sanitary conditions, and child-friendly facilities. Furthermore, having colourful, age-level play equipment and open spaces greatly influences children's encounters with learning. Play junctions, sand pits, reading corners, and craft spaces are not just play areas—they're learning environments.

3. Warm, Trained Teachers Teachers at a play school are frequently a child's initial guides outside the home. Their capacity to reach out to young students with empathy and encouragement is crucial. Seek schools with faculty trained not only academically, but emotionally—able to comprehend and nurture every child's individual learning process.

4. Balanced Fun and Foundation in Curriculum An effective play school provides the ideal mixture of planned lessons and play time. The curriculum should provide some introduction to language, math, science, and life skills in the form of stories, song, movement, art, and sensory exploration. At schools like Open Fields School, this theme is seamlessly incorporated into daily events, producing an experience that's both enjoyable and rewarding.

5. Parent-School Partnership Open communication with parents and frequent updates on the child's progress are essential. Schools that promote parental involvement through events, celebrations, and open houses create a community where children flourish.

6. Positive Reviews and Word of Mouth What other parents say counts. Attend orientation sessions, read reviews, and talk to families who have gone through the school themselves.

7. Emotional Connect Finally, trust your instincts. When you visit the school, notice how your child responds. Do they seem comfortable, curious, or enthusiastic? A teacher's friendly smile, the brightness of the classroom, or the colour of a mural on the wall may just be the indication you're seeking.

8. Budget Last but not the least, look at the fee structure of the school you have finalised. While it should not burden you, don't just select a school just because it is cheaper. A cheaper school would generally have infrastructure issues and quality of teacher training would also be inferior.

Final Thought The appropriate play school sows the seeds of a lifetime of learning and self-assurance. Whether you opt for a renowned institution or an emerging name such as Open Fields School, the most important thing is that it becomes your child's second home—one with love, laughter, learning, and endless possibilities.