Krishanthini Subathran Has Won Woman's Best System Integrated Preschool Award

Krishanthini Subathran Has Won Woman's Best System Integrated Preschool Award

• July 03, 2023

Castle Craft Pre-School and Day-Care, Sri Lanka

Hello, and welcome to my world of early education! I am thrilled to present my journey as the Director/ Principal of a vibrant and nurturing preschool. My name is Krishanthi Subathran, and I have dedicated my life to creating an exceptional learning environment for young children. As a passionate advocate for early childhood education, I believe in the profound impact that high-quality preschool experiences can have on a child's development. Guided by this belief, I embarked on the incredible journey of running a preschool, where I have had the privilege of shaping the minds and hearts of countless little learners.

Throughout my career and working with children continuously for the past 12 years, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of early education. Each day, I am inspired by the boundless potential, curiosity, and joy that children bring to the learning process. It is my mission to cultivate an environment where their natural talents and abilities can flourish. The decision to finally start my own preschool was born out of a deep-seated passion for early childhood education and a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young children. I want to create an exceptional learning community that fosters holistic development, ignites a love for learning, and lays a strong foundation for future success.

I envisioned a place where children embark on an exciting adventure of discovery, where their natural talents and abilities are nurtured, and where they develop the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for a successful and fulfilling life. From the intricate tapestry of interconnected moments, experiences, and aspirations, emerged the dream for Castle Craft Preschool and Day-care, illuminating the path towards an extraordinary journey ahead.

At Castle Craft, we embrace a play-based learning approach that prioritizes the best interests of our children, fostering their exploration and growth towards the next level of education. With a wide range of learning materials at our disposal, we ensure that every child's daily learning experience is well-supported. Our primary goal is to provide comprehensive learning, holistic development, and a sense of well-being to all the children under our care. Through a diverse array of indoor and outdoor activities, we offer a nurturing environment for children at our Montessori and Day-care.

By incorporating workbooks, educational games, play, and practical exercises, we supplement our children with an international preschool curriculum, specifically designed to prepare them for school in Sri Lanka. Some of the play-based learning that we use at Castle Craft include; Movable Alphabet Activity, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening Skills, Puppets Story Time, Fine and Gross Motor Skills Development, Using AMI materials etc.

The movable alphabet activity is a hands-on approach to language learning. This activity is known to encourage phonemic awareness, letter recognition, and early literacy skills. By physically engaging with the letters and creating their own words, children develop their understanding of phonics, spelling, and language structure. It promotes creativity, problem-solving, and cognitive development. Puppet story time is a dynamic and interactive way to engage children in storytelling. This method stimulates children's imagination, enhances their listening skills, and promotes language development. Children have the opportunity to express themselves and develop their own storytelling abilities.

Puppet story time fosters creativity, empathy, and communication skills. Fine motor skills involve the coordination of small muscles, such as those in the hands and fingers. Activities like cutting with scissors, threading beads, or using tweezers to pick up objects help children develop these skills. These skills lay the foundation for important life skills like writing, drawing, and self-care tasks such as buttoning clothes or tying shoelaces. AMI activities involve fitting differently sized wooden cylinders into corresponding holes on a board. The knobbed cylinder activity encourages concentration, logical thinking, and cognitive development. Gross motor skills involve the coordination of larger muscle groups and body movements. Activities such as running, jumping, climbing, and playing sports help develop these skills. Gross motor activities improve strength, balance, coordination, and body awareness. They contribute to overall physical fitness and promote a healthy lifestyle.

By incorporating these methods into learning experiences, children develop cognitive abilities, language skills, social-emotional competence, fine and gross motor skills, and creativity. Play-based learning allows children to learn at their own pace, experiment, problem-solve, and build confidence in a supportive and enjoyable environment.

Our institution boasts a team of highly qualified teachers who are dedicated to nurturing young minds. With their expertise and passion for early childhood education, they create a stimulating and supportive learning environment for our students. In addition to our exceptional teaching staff, we have experienced personnel dedicated to our day-care services. They understand the unique needs of young children and ensure their well-being and safety throughout the day. Our modern classrooms are thoughtfully designed to facilitate effective learning. Equipped with age-appropriate materials and resources, they serve as inspiring spaces for exploration and discovery. We believe in providing a conducive environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning.

We provide a well-rounded educational experience with English as the primary language along with Sinhala and Tamil as secondary languages. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity at Castle Craft. We recognize and respect all religious and cultural activities, fostering a sense of unity among our students. We achieve this by celebrating the various cultural and religious festivals of our fellow Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian brothers and sisters. By promoting cultural awareness and understanding, we create an enriching educational experience for every child.

Our large play area is a hub of excitement and joy. It offers ample space for children to engage in physical activities, promoting their motor skills and overall physical development. We understand the importance of outdoor play in a child's growth, and our play area is designed to encourage active and imaginative play. Our students engage in various activities such as swimming, singing, dancing, yoga and meditation. We understand the importance of nurturing young minds as well hence we provide our children with the freedom to bond and communicate on a human level with their peers.

We also recognize the importance of a smooth transition to primary education and ensure our curriculum addresses all necessary learning areas. At our preschool, we understand that children should primarily develop in four key areas: personal, social, physical, and emotional. Our curriculum and activities are designed to support and nurture growth in these essential domains. Through various educational experiences, children develop their individuality, establish positive relationships, enhance their physical capabilities, and learn to manage their emotions effectively.

I am amazed by the incredible progress I have made since starting my preschool. I feel incredibly grateful to be recognized and given this opportunity by Women Icon, powered by Times Women to win the award for Women’s Best System Integrated Pre-School Award. It humbles me to be able to share my dream on a global scale and take part in shaping the future of early education.

Receiving this recognition reaffirms my dedication and the hard work my team and I have put into creating a nurturing learning environment. It inspires me to continue striving for excellence and innovation in early childhood education. I am thankful to Women Icon for providing a platform to showcase my vision and contribute to the broader goal of empowering young minds worldwide. With this newfound recognition, I am even more determined to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and continue fostering a brighter future through education.