Footprints Daycare and Preschool has emerged as a trusted name in India’s early childhood education space, known for blending research-backed learning with strong operational systems and a parent-first approach. In this exclusive conversation, Raj Singhal, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Footprints Day Care and Preschool, shares with Anannya Saraswat, Reporter (Public Sector & Leadership) at APAC Media, the inspiration behind Footprints, the journey so far, and how the institute is redefining preschool education in India with a mission-driven mindset, technology integration, and scalable impact.
Footprints has emerged as a key player in early childhood education. Can you share the founding vision behind Footprints and what inspired you to start this journey?
The story of Footprints Childcare began with a personal experience. When my co-founder and I were enjoying the essence of paternity, we realised something very interesting yet shocking about the quality of childcare options in India compared to what we witnessed in Western countries. Daycares and preschools in India often don’t have a structure and lack safety and a focus on childhood development. This difference created a sense of inspiration within us.
Having successfully built and exited previous companies, we weren’t afraid of a challenge. We saw this disparity not as a burden but as a powerful opportunity to make a positive impact. We took advantage of our entrepreneurship spirit and desire for our children, and countless others, to stimulate and nurture the environment of learning. It marked the origin of Footprints Childcare as a mission-operated enterprise, which is dedicated to enhancing India’s early childhood education scenario.
Leading Footprints Childcare has been an incredible journey. The increasing number of centers posed a challenge in maintaining quality, but it inspired us to develop strong training programs and standardised practices. Finding emotional employees is equally important, and I am proud of the dedicated team we have created. The most awarded aspect? Seeing the pleasure and development of children assigned to our care. We have adopted technology to empower parents and increase communication. It is exciting to lead the revolution in childcare in India. I look forward to immense optimism for the future because we provide extraordinary care and early learning experiences for countless children.
Early childhood education is increasingly attracting investor interest. In your view, what is driving this surge of capital into the preschool segment in India? How do you see Footprints contributing to the development of India’s next-generation preschool ecosystem?
Footprints offers a unique hybrid business model that blends franchise investment with central operational control. With guaranteed admissions, justified fee realisation, variable royalty, and comprehensive operational support, our partners enjoy sustainable returns with minimal risk. We’re currently expanding at the rate of over 8-10 centres a month, with many new centres being launched by existing partners, a testament to the strength of the model.
As we continue to scale, Footprints remains rooted in purpose, creating not only nurturing environments for children but also employment opportunities for women, many from underserved communities.
In a category dominated by legacy players, Footprints is redefining early childhood education in India through innovation, transparency, and impact.
Footprints offers a scientifically designed, play-based curriculum. What sets your approach apart from other preschool chains in terms of child development and pedagogy? How does your curriculum address the holistic development—cognitive, emotional, social, and physical—of each child?
Choosing the right preschool and daycare is crucial, considering that 90% of brain development occurs by age 6. At Footprints Childcare, we recognise the significance of this early developmental phase and have made a distinct choice in our curriculum and educational philosophy. Footprints stands out as the only Preschool/Daycare chain in India that has adopted the research-based High Scope curriculum, specialising in early years for the last 70 years.
What sets HighScope apart is its extensive research and proven data, showcasing its profound impact on children’s development. It goes beyond a traditional in-house curriculum with 58 KDIs (Key Development Indicators), offering a proven framework that actively contributes to the holistic development of every child in our care.
In what way is technology integrated into the learning process at Footprints?
Being new parents ourselves, we quickly understood the struggle of finding high-quality, transparent childcare in India. We weren’t alone in our concerns and knew technology could offer a better solution. So, we incorporated technology in a way where parents can be close to their little ones.
We are ensuring transparency and engagement through many smart solutions. Parents can see their children live through CCTV streaming and get mobile updates on their child’s food, sleep, and activities. Our app provides easy self-service options for parents, such as the One Touch Support. Additionally, we have introduced the innovative “read-o-stick” device that converts any book into a speaking smart book, encouraging interactive learning.
All these features are designed to keep the parents informed and children meaningfully connected.
How do you train and upskill educators and caregivers to align with your child-first philosophy?
Footprint Childcare emphasises the continuous training and upskilling of its teachers and caretakers to align with its child-first philosophy. All employee members undergo a structured onboarding program covering child psychology, early education best practices, safety protocols, and hygiene standards. Regular workshops and refresher courses are conducted to keep updated on the latest in early childhood education, including HighScope courses and activity-based teaching methods.
Footprints also provides soft skills training focused on empathy, communication, and parent engagement. This structured and ongoing professional development ensures that every educator and caregiver is equipped to create a nurturing, safe, and stimulating environment for each child.
Maintaining consistent quality and safety across multiple centres can be challenging. What systems or processes does Footprints use to ensure high standards across the board? How does Footprints ensure the safety and well-being of children across its centres, both in terms of physical infrastructure and day-to-day operations?
We have an all-female staff who undergo thorough background checks to ensure their suitability for working with children. Additionally, regular medical checkups guarantee the health and well-being of those entrusted with your child’s care.Â
Our centres are designed with child safety in mind. We utilise child-safe flooring that absorbs impact and minimises the risk of injuries during play. Our infrastructure itself is meticulously examined, with secure gates, age-appropriate equipment, and the elimination of any potential hazards. This creates a secure space for exploration and learning.
We take an extra step to ensure only authorised personnel can enter our facilities. Biometric access control utilises unique physical or behavioral identifiers to grant entry, providing an additional layer of security for the children in our care.
What sustainability and environment-friendly practices has Footprints adopted across its centres to promote greener early education spaces?
Footprints Childcare integrates sustainability and eco-friendly practices across its centres to promote greener early education spaces. This includes using non-toxic, child-safe materials and furniture made from sustainable resources, along with eco-conscious classroom supplies. The centres are designed in an eco-friendly manner with natural light and ventilation facilities, reducing energy consumption automatically.
Footprints actively encourage children to participate in green activities such as planting, recycling projects, and modules focused on environmental awareness. We also promote a 100% Nutritious, 0 Junk policy. These efforts help to increase the early values ​​of stability and responsibility in children.
What is your current revenue mix? How is income distributed among franchise fees, tuition, daycare services, and other enrichment programs?
The company has served over 30,000 children since its inception and currently caters to approximately 10,000 active enrollees. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the company successfully resumed operations in 2022 and secured $7.5 million in funding to fuel its technology upgrades and expansion plans.
What is the current scale of Footprints in terms of the number of centres, cities, and children enrolled?Â
Footprints Childcare Centre was established in the year 2013. It is now a leading preschool and daycare provider in India. We are now expanded across 26 cities with 190+ centres all over India. Serving over 50,000+ parents, we provide age-appropriate programs from toddlers to after-school care. Footprints is aiming to open 135 new centres by the end of 2026, bringing the total number of the company to 325 centres in pan-India.
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