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What Should Be Included in the Curriculum of Preschool in 2026?

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by Sonali Rai

Published On : 7 Dec | 6 min Read

What Should Be Included in the Curriculum of Preschool in 2026?

In India, preschools have always functioned without any regulatory board or fixed curriculum for playgroups. Unlike CBSE and ICSE, as found in formal schools, there is no formal board or curriculum for preschools. This has led to a preschool experience among the children that varies from excellent to unstructured, depending on the school’s curriculum for playgroup.

However, since the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a structured framework for early education has been introduced. This has offered much-needed clarity about the curriculum for preschool and syllabus for nursery classes.

The NCERT, in their framework, has distinctly shared the goals that they want implemented in the early education sector. According to them, the playschool curriculum should be more of a hands-on activity than book learning, through play-based, theme-oriented, and curiosity-led learning, where every child will develop their: 

  • Language and communication skills
  • Gross and fine motor coordination
  • Social-emotional awareness
  • Cognitive abilities such as problem-solving and observation
  • Basic numeracy and literacy foundations

Preschool Teaching Approaches
There is no one particular method to teach a young child. Preschools around the world have various types of educational philosophies that they follow: 

  • Montessori: Emphasizes independence and self-paced learning through hands-on materials.
  • Reggio Emilia: Child-led projects with a focus on expression and collaboration.
  • Waldorf: Waldorf pedagogy revolves around arts-integrated approach to education.

Curriculum for Preschool: A Step-by-Step Guide for Strong Foundations

In many preschools, learning is no longer just about books. International Curriculum like the British EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) framework focus on play, exploration, and everyday activities. This approach fits well with India’s NEP, which promotes overall development in children. That’s why play-based learning and Montessori-style activities are becoming so popular in early education.

How EYFS Is Integrated into a Preschool Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) from the UK outlines seven key areas of learning and development grouped into three prime areas and four specific areas:

Early Years Educational Framework

A good preschool curriculum naturally follows these areas through daily routines and activities. Instead of teaching them separately, learning is spread across play, group time, and guided lessons, making the process easy and child-friendly.

EYFS Key Areas of Learning

Developmental Focus

Personal, Social and Emotional Dev.

Confidence, empathy, managing emotions

Communication and Language

Listening, understanding, speaking

Physical Development

Motor skills, self-care routines

Literacy

Phonics, early reading, storytelling

Mathematics

Numbers, shapes, problem-solving

Understanding the World

Nature, people, technology

Expressive Arts and Design

Art, music, dance, imagination

For example:

  • Children learn early math through activities like sorting objects or comparing lengths.
  • Communication skills are developed through interactive storytelling and rhymes and songs.
  • Physical development is promoted through yoga and fine motor exercises like pouring and threading.

As a result, every child is nurtured into a confident and curious child who is ready to take on the world outside. 

Preschool Curriculum for Nursery Class

A quality preschool curriculum for nursery class covers everything a young learner needs, like language, numeracy, motor skills, and creativity. With storytelling, art, music, thematic lessons, and fun celebrations, children develop curiosity, confidence, and essential early learning skills.

Core Curriculum

The daily academic framework is based on the EYFS and NEP principles. IT covers language development, regional language development, numeric readiness, motor development, understanding of the world around them and more. Each day every topic is taught with a mix of story telling, rhyme,movement and sensory activities. 

Augmented Curriculum 

An augmented preschool curriculum goes beyond basic academics by offering extra learning activities that boost early brain development, critical thinking, and confidence. In nursery classes, children are introduced to new concepts in a fun, pressure-free way.

Here’s where we go beyond the basics:

  • Super Phonics for sound recognition and early reading
  • Writo handwriting program with multisensory teaching methodology.
  • Minimax Abacus for brain development and early numeracy
  • Bonjour  India’s first preschool French program

Thematic Curriculum

Our theme-based curriculum for preschool is designed to teach children one broad theme every month and structure all lesson plans around it. Say in a month if the Theme revolves around the topic of “Transport”, it will have:

  • Math: Counting cars
  • Language: Vehicle names
  • Art: Paint traffic scenes
  • Social studies: Role of public transport

Celebration Curriculum

Our Celebration curriculum for preschool prepares the child to be a global citizen but grounded in their cultural values. This curriculum introduces them to various national and international celebrations where they get to learn about them in a fun-based method.

How Montessori Shapes Early Learning 

Even though the curriculum is primarily based on EYFS, Montessori influence is seen all across the program with sensory teaching materials, an environment that is carefully designed, and children are encouraged to be independent, responsible and observant. 

This combination results in the OCCI child—one who is:

  • Observant
  • Curious
  • Confident
  • Independent

Teeny Beans Curriculum for Preschool

Our Curriculum is not just designed for children, it is built for entrepreneurs. With Teeny Beans' non-franchise, zero royalty model, you get access to a curriculum that is:

  • NEP-Compliant
  • Digitally Delivered 
  • Access to more than 5000 worksheets
  • Holistic and Global

Teeny Beans's curriculum does not just prepare children for school but also prepares them for:

  • Lifelong curiosity
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Global thinking
  • Cultural empathy
  • Strong foundational skills

Fill in the form to understand the curriculum structure and how you can get it for your preschool or kindergarten.



FAQ

Q1. What is the curriculum of a nursery class usually based on?

Many modern curriculum of nursery classes are based on internationally recognized frameworks like the British EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) and aligned with NEP 2020 guidelines. They focus on hands-on, play-based learning to build confidence and curiosity in kids.

Q2. What does the syllabus of preschool include in 2026?

The Teeny Beans syllabus for preschool in 2026 covers key developmental areas of EYFS, like:

Q3. How is a modern curriculum for nursery different from traditional preschools?

Unlike traditional preschools, modern curriculums blend EYFS principles, Montessori methods, and NEP guidelines, focusing on learning through play and real-world experiences rather than just rote learning.

Q4. What extra programs can preschoolers have that support their core learning?

The syllabus of preschool that augments their program includes several:

  • Super Phonics for early reading
  • Writo a directional handwriting program
  • Minimax Abacus for brain development
  • Bonjour, India’s first French program for preschoolers

Q5. Does the syllabus of preschool include cultural education?

Yes, Teeny Beans has a well-designed Celebration curriculum which is a blend of Indian and international festivals. This helps instil cultural values in an engaging way.


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