First of its kind preschool and activity centre in the commercial capital of India!

The Big Umbrella brings apple seeds to India - the award winning kids activity centre based in New York March 2012, Mumbai: The Big Umbrella introduces the concept of allowing children to learn and explore at their own pace with the right stimulus by opening its first proprietary location in South Mumbai. apple seeds, the award-winning all-in-one childrens play space based in New York City is an intriguing feature of The Big Umbrella, both striving to help the toddlers achieve inner harmony as well as harmony with their environment. With state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, and friendly teachers who facilitate interactive international programs, The Big Umbrella promises to prepare the child for life. It offers a comprehensive five year preschool program that sets the little learners up for primary school. The Big Umbrella and apple seeds India are led by Shreena and Nisaurg Doshi of the Doshi Group of Companies, a Mumbai-based enterprise known for its pioneering efforts in bringing new technologies and applications to India through international alliances. With The Big Umbrella and apple seeds, the Doshi Group has made its foray in the field of education. Shreena Doshi, Director, The Big Umbrella says, There has been an evolution in education at the international level, we at The Big Umbrella wish to bring those evolved methodologies and teaching to India with the primary focus on Mumbai at the moment. Good preschools produce smart children; great preschools produce smart thinkers but extra-ordinary preschools produce innovative children. These kids can exercise change through free-flowing imagination and effective processing of knowledge that we impart. The Big Umbrella focuses on the culmination of the nature vs. nurture principle, where a child's academic performance is maximized through unleashing their internal abilities with encouragement by the teachers. Gone are the days where curiosity killed the cat and questioning a teacher was considered wrong; we want our children to speak their mind and express their interest without fear. The Big Umbrella has partnered with apple seeds to provide an experimental space to children, ages newborn to 5 to explore, discover, create and grow through playground activities and classes that encourage and enhance inter personal communication, creative thinking, gross and fine motor skills and language building. The Big Umbrella promoters and academic heads believe in the theory of promoting multiple intelligences

through multiple methods. The curriculum is designed in Europe and the USA, but customized to Indian educational requirements. It uses a judicious blend of Montessori, Playway, and Reggio Emilia methods of preschool education and caters to the multiple intelligences propounded by Howard Gardener. Craig Schlanger, Co-Founder, apple seeds says, Our new partners in India bring an energy and enthusiasm that is reminiscent of our own passion when apple seeds was born in 2007. Shreena and Nisaurg Doshi were quick to fall in line with our business practices, our staff and most importantly, our philosophies about children and play. We are all excited about working together and look forward to a remarkable association. The Big Umbrella is a preschool where the childs growth is harmonious and personally nurtured!

The Big Umbrella

The Big Umbrella is an innovative preschool for children 0 to 5 years where it introduces the concept of allowing children to learn and explore at their own pace with the right stimulus by opening its first proprietary location in South Mumbai. Apple Seeds, the award-winning all-in-one childrens play space based in New York City is an intriguing feature of The Big Umbrella, both striving to help the toddlers achieve inner harmony as well as balance within their environment. The school is based upon the foundation principle of nature vs nurture and how the culmination of both these factors result in comfortable and confident children through love and caring, rather than fear and intimidation. Education has evolved internationally, with an understanding of the need for a child to be curious, to ask questions, to not hesitate when wanting to know a reason behind a concept rather than just memorizing it, to feel a bond with the teacher, to imbibe and process knowledge at a pace which is not overwhelming, and most importantly, to tap into the hidden potential and inner interests which many times are not expressed due to fear. The Big Umbrella will be an excellent platform for education driven mothers and fathers to come together and recognize the value of concept based education, especially when there is a need for children to grow and develop their minds and personalities at that extremely impressionable age.

apple seeds
A premier and innovative childrens destination and recreation facility, apple seeds, opened its doors March 1, 2007 in NYCs Chelsea/Flatiron District. apple seeds is the creation of Allison and Craig Schlanger and Alison and Bobby Berna. Their mission was to open an indoor, interactive play space that provides families a sense of community and a modern, safe, clean environment where kids can play, learn and have fun in the city.

At the core of apple seeds India is the indoor playground. it offers classes, including cooking, science, construction, art, dance, language, movement and music. Spatial area is offered to host birthday parties and kids events throughout the year. Alliances with doctors, salons and fitness specialists make apple seeds India, a space to learn, grow and enjoy the most fundamental years of life.

Doshi Group of Companies

The Big Umbrella is an initiative of the Doshi Group of Companies, a Mumbai-based group of companies known for its pioneering efforts in bringing new technologies and applications in India through international alliances. It has a presence in the fields of Material Sciences, Smart Technologies, Consultancy, Lifestyle, Education and Real Estate. By infusing modern business practices with traditional values, the Doshi Group has been able to carve its reputation as a complete solutions provider from products to services. With The Big Umbrella and apple seeds, the Doshi Group has made its foray in the field of education.

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