HEI Schools Gurugram: Bringing the best international curriculum for India's young minds

Imagine a school where learning isn’t just about memorizing facts, but about igniting a lifelong love of discovery. Where children aren’t simply taught, but empowered to explore, question, and grow into confident, compassionate individuals.

This is the vision that drives HEI Schools Gurugram, an institution nestled in the heart of this bustling city. Co-founded by Yasha Shukla and Puja Puri, two passionate professionals who share a vision for education that goes beyond academic achievement, the school blends the globally acclaimed Finnish pedagogy with the unique nuances of Indian culture. As they embark on their second year, we delve into the founders' journey, their aspirations, and how their school is redefining the foundation of learning in India, one curious, creative, and confident child at a time.

A personal journey to transformation

For Yasha, Founder of HEI Schools Gurugram, based in Singapore, the pre-school represents the fulfillment of a 17-year-old dream. “When my daughter was born, I struggled to find quality preschools in Gurugram that focused on holistic development rather than traditional rote learning,” she recalls. Her exposure to global education trends, fueled a vision to bring research-backed, child-centric learning to India.

Finland, renowned as the happiest country in the world for seven consecutive years, became the natural partner for this endeavor. “Finnish education nurtures curiosity and emotional wellbeing—values that resonate deeply with me,” Yasha explains.

Puja, with 12 years of HR and Sales experience, joined the mission after witnessing the mounting pressures children face. “Academic, social, and parental expectations can take a toll on a child’s emotional well-being. Our goal is to create an environment where children can thrive at their own pace,” she shares. Their collective mission is clear: “A happy child will always be a successful human being.”

Bridging the gap with Finnish education: International preschool shaping global mindset

The first six years of life are crucial for a child’s development, shaping cognitive, social, and emotional growth. While Nordic countries like Finland have set global standards in early childhood education (ECE), India has traditionally lagged in providing similar opportunities.

HEI Schools Gurugram bridges this gap by combining Finland’s world-class educational framework with India’s unique needs. “Our curriculum is structured while it is a blend of evolving concepts based on ongoing research and child-centric, tailored to nurture individual potential while honoring Indian values,” Puja explains.

Yasha’s visits to HEI Schools in Jakarta and Bangkok reinforced her belief in the Finnish approach. “Children displayed remarkable confidence and curiosity—qualities often underdeveloped in traditional education,” she observes.

The four pillars that sets HEI Schools apart from any other pre-school

Holistic approach to early learning

Parents today are looking for more than just academic excellence in early education; they seek environments that nurture their children's overall wellbeing.

HEI Schools Gurugram stands out by offering a holistic approach that prioritizes intellectual growth as well as emotional, psychological and physical development. The school’s spaces are carefully designed based on International standards, to ensure children feel valued, secure, and free to explore. “We believe that a safe, secure and nurturing environment lays the foundation for lifelong learning,” say the founders.

The school’s philosophy is rooted in research-driven learning, where play-based, hands-on experiences stimulate curiosity and cognitive development. Guided by trained educators, children engage in activities that foster a love for learning while enhancing their social and emotional skills. Spacious and organized classrooms, along with thoughtfully designed outdoor play areas, encourage exploration and creativity. “Our goal is to create spaces that inspire children to learn through play and discovery,” Puja shares.

Maintaining an optimal student-to-teacher ratio—1:5 for children under three and 1:8 for older groups—ensures personalized attention. Despite the challenges of maintaining such a ratio, it’s an integral part of HEI’s philosophy.

The school also emphasizes transparent communication with parents, ensuring strong partnerships through regular updates, feedback sessions, and interactive events. This open dialogue makes parents active participants in their child’s learning journey. HEI Schools Gurugram also focuses on practical accessibility, offering convenient locations, flexible hours, and inclusive fee structures to accommodate diverse families.

Building a dedicated team

The strength of HEI Schools Gurugram lies in its team, which brings a wealth of diverse expertise. Ms.Geeta Singh, a Board Member and former Google employee from Australia, adds invaluable global insights, further enhancing the school’s international outlook.

One of the biggest challenges was hiring educators aligned with HEI’s philosophy. “Compassion is our primary hiring criterion,” Puja emphasizes. People generally get confused with empathy and compassion. Many people would say they understand, and we agree they can to an extent, but in this scenario, how do you respond after understanding, that is important from an educator's point of view towards a child.

“Knowledge of pedagogy is important, but the ability to recognize and nurture a child’s uniqueness is paramount.”

To bridge the learning gap among teachers, a pedagogy director from Finland trained the initial cohort. Monthly global sessions with educators from HEI’s 30 learning centers worldwide further ensure continuous learning and adaptation.

“It took nearly two years to carefully finalize our team and undergo comprehensive training with Finnish educators,” shares Yasha. To ensure the seamless implementation of the curriculum, Finnish trainers conducted thorough sessions, with one trainer even shadowing the educators for two months, ensuring a deep, hands-on understanding of the teaching methodology.

Understanding ‘Play’ schemas: Unlocking a child’s mind

Children’s natural learning tendencies often manifest through play schemas, such as transporting objects or enclosing spaces. Recognizing these behaviors helps educators create meaningful learning experiences.

“For example, when children move objects around or arrange toys in a pattern, they are demonstrating transport and enclosure schemas,” explains Yasha. HEI Schools’ educators are trained to identify and nurture these intrinsic learning patterns, ensuring activities align with each child’s interests.

A key aspect of their growth strategy is the integration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) principles into everyday learning experiences. Puja shares her perspective: “Simple activities like playing with leaves unknowingly introduce concepts of art (surface, colour, pattern etc), math (counting, shapes etc) and creativity, making learning organic and enjoyable.” By embedding these principles naturally into children’s daily routines, the school aims to prepare them for the evolving world while nurturing their innate creativity and problem-solving skills.

The pre-school’s offerings (age group-wise):

01. Parent - toddler programs (6 months to 1.5 yrs)

02 .Preschool (1.5 to 6 yrs)

03 .Day care (1.5 to 6 yrs)

04. Enrichment programs

The road ahead: Expanding the vision

As HEI Schools Gurugram steps into its second year, the founders remain committed to their mission of shaping empathetic, creative, and resilient individuals. Their ambitious future plans include expanding into major Indian cities, bringing their unique early learning model to more families across the country. In addition, they are set to launch a primary school by 2027, with the vision of evolving into a full-fledged K-12 institution within the next decade.

With a firm belief in the transformative power of early education, HEI Schools Gurugram continues to pave the way for a new generation of learners, ensuring that every child receives a strong foundation for future success.

Ready to give your child the foundation for a lifetime of learning? HEI Schools Gurugram is now open for admissions for the session starting April 2025. Enroll your child today! Schedule a Tour today.