Balawadi preschool programme strengthens the educational foundation of children and is an important strategy for achieving universalisation of primary education. If every child can avail of some kind of early childhood education, the chances that the child will go on to a regular school are high. This preschool exposure will enhance and strengthen the child's subsequent school performance, in terms of achievement and attendance.
Pratham Mysore's Balawadi programme targets children from low-income families in the age group of 3-5½ years and familiarizes them with schooling such that "school-going" becomes a habit. Located either at a municipal school, community space, place of worship or a teacher's home, each class has around 15-20 children with an instructor from the local community and runs for 2-3 hours a day. These children are taught to mix with other children, play and enjoy the experience, as they learn.
