Indian Pre-School/Childcare Market Report by Facility, Ownership, Age Group, Location, Major Cities, and Region 2025-2033

The Indian pre-school/childcare market size reached USD 4.6 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 11.0 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 9.54% during 2025-2033. The rising number of nuclear families and working women in the country, the growing demand for preschool and childcare services, rapid urbanization, and the increasing disposable income are among the key factors driving the market growth.

Indian Pre-School/Childcare Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: The rising parental awareness of early childhood education, the rising number of nuclear families, and the increasing disposable income are some of the major drivers of the market. Rapid urbanization and the rising working women population are further fueling the market demand. Government initiatives supporting early education and the entry of organized players offering standardized services are further contributing to the growth of the market.
• Key Market Trends: The increase of franchise-based models and the rising integration of technology in early education including learning tools, and digital classrooms are some of the key trends of the Indian pre-school/childcare market growth. The rising focus on holistic child development, emphasizing physical, cognitive, and emotional growth, along with increasing demand for bilingual education and international curricula is influencing the market trends.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the major market players in the Indian pre-school/childcare industry include Kidzee, Bachpan Global, EuroKids, Tree House Education and Accessories Ltd., Shemrock Play School, Kangaroo Kids, Hello Kids, Little Millennium, Podar Jumbo Kids, and T.I.M.E. Kids, among many others.
• Challenges and Opportunities: The market faces several challenges including maintaining quality standards, lack of trained educators, and high operational costs. However, the market also faces various opportunities such as ripe for innovation with tech-driven learning solutions and personalized education approaches, along with government support and initiatives to enhance early education infrastructure.

Indian Pre-School/Childcare Market Trends:

Rising Dual-Income Families and Urbanization

Rapid urbanization and the rising dual-income households are creating a need for reliable childcare solutions, as more parents seek professional care and early education for their children. For instance, in India, the urban population amounts to 461 million people. This number is growing by 2.3% each year. By 2031, 75% of India's national income is estimated to come from urban settings. Providing the necessary urban infrastructure is a big challenge: 70 to 80% of the infrastructure that will be needed by 2050 has not been built yet, and the estimated investment gap amounts to approximately 827 billion U.S. dollars. The seven largest cities in India will become even bigger until 2030. Prospects suggest that the population growth of India's capital Delhi will increase by about 1/3 within the next decade up to 38.9 million people. This is expected to boost the Indian pre-school/childcare market forecast over the coming years.

Growing Government Support and Initiatives

Government initiatives and policies aimed at promoting early childhood education and improving childcare infrastructure encouraging marketing growth and attracting investments. According to UNICEF, in July 2020, the Ministry of Education released a new educational policy, where schooling begins with the inclusion of ECCE from age 3. The policies state "universal provisioning of quality early childhood development, care, and education must thus be achieved as soon as possible, and no later than 2030, to ensure that all students entire Grade 1are school ready." The three years of ECCE and early primary grades (classes one and two are proposed as a continuum of learning and referred to as the foundational stage of school. The UNEP 2020 recommends 2 models for the implementation of quality ECE, these are Anganwadi centers in communities, Anganwadi centers located within school premises, pre-primary sections in schools, and standalone preschools. This is influencing the Indian pre-school/childcare market statistics significantly.

Rising Integration of Technological

The widespread adoption of technology in education, including digital classrooms and e-learning tools, attracts tech-savvy parents seeking innovative learning experiences for their children. According to an article by the Times of India, in 2022, the size of the Indian preschool and childcare market was 3.8 billion U.S. dollars. The demand for childcare has increased significantly in recent years possibly due to nuclear setups in urban centers, which lead to a projected market value of over seven billion U.S. dollars by 2028. Technology can be a powerful asset in early childhood education. This includes the large touch screens which are helpful for several tasks, such as project collaboration, instructive gameplay, and presentation shows. This is further fueling the Indian pre-school/childcare market revenue.

Indian Pre-School/Childcare Market Segmentation:

Breakup by Facility:

• Full Day Care
• After School Care

With the increasing number of dual-income families, there is a growing demand for comprehensive care for children throughout the entire day. Full Day Care centers offer a holistic approach to childcare, catering to the developmental needs of young children from morning till evening. These facilities provide a structured daily routine that includes educational activities, playtime, meals, and rest periods.

On the other hand, the after-school care segment has also witnessed substantial growth and is a significant facility in the Indian pre-school/childcare market. This segment caters to the needs of children who require supervision and engagement during the after-school hours when parents may still be at work.

Breakup by Ownership:

• Public
• Private

Publicly-owned pre-schools and childcare centers are typically operated and funded by the government or local authorities. These institutions play a critical role in promoting access to early childhood education and childcare services, especially in poor areas. Public ownership ensures that a portion of the facilities is made available at subsidized rates or even free of charge to cater to families with limited financial means. These centers often follow government-prescribed curricula and guidelines, focusing on providing a basic yet essential educational foundation to young children.

On the contrary, privately-owned pre-schools and childcare centers are operated by individuals, educational institutions, or corporate entities. These centers often emphasize innovative teaching methods, modern facilities, and personalized care for children. Additionally, private ownership encourages healthy competition, driving continuous improvement in the quality of services offered.

Breakup by Age Group:

• Less Than 2 Years
• 2-4 Years
• 4-6 Years
• Above 6 Years

Less than 2 years segment caters to infants and very young toddlers, typically from around 6 weeks to 2 years of age. Pre-schools and childcare centers catering to this age group focus on providing a safe, hygienic, and stimulating atmosphere where infants can explore their surroundings, engage in sensory activities, and receive personalized attention. Trained caregivers play a crucial role in meeting the unique needs of infants, including feeding, diaper changes, and ensuring proper rest.

On the other hand, 2-4 Years age group segment caters to young toddlers and preschoolers, a crucial phase where children's cognitive, social, and emotional skills develop rapidly. Pre-schools and childcare centers for this age group focus on providing a structured learning environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and social interaction.

The demand for preschool/childcare for children aged four to six years in India is driven by increasing urbanization and dual-income families, rising parental focus on early education, and growing awareness of the importance of holistic development and structured learning environment in preparing children for formal schooling, along with increasing disposable income.

The increasing demand for childcare for children above 6 years in India is driven by the need for after-school care due to working parents, the emphasis on extracurricular activities for holistic development, safety concerns, and structured environments that offer academic support and enrichment programs, aligning with parent's educational aspirations for their children.

Breakup by Location:

• Standalone
• School Premises
• Office Premises

Standalone pre-schools and childcare centers are independent facilities that operate separately from other educational institutions or organizations. The standalone approach allows for greater flexibility in designing the infrastructure and curriculum according to the specific needs of young children. These centers often boast child-friendly layouts, vibrant classrooms, outdoor play areas, and age-appropriate learning resources.

On the other hand, school premises often allow schools to extend their services to younger age groups and offer a continuum of education from pre-school to higher grades. Additionally, school-based pre-schools often benefit from the existing infrastructure, resources, and expertise of the parent school, enabling them to provide a well-rounded educational experience. Collaborating with an established school can also drive the reputation and credibility of the preschool or childcare center.

Within office premises, the demand for free school/childcare is thriving due to the convenience of working parents, enhanced work-life balance, increased productivity because of the reduced commuting time, employer initiatives to attract and retain talent, and a growing perfect focus on employee well-being and family-friendly policies.

Breakup by Major Cities:

• Delhi-NCR
• Bengaluru
• Hyderabad
• Chennai
• Mumbai
• Kolkata
• Rest of India

Delhi-NCR is a hub for job opportunities, attracting people from various parts of the country, and this migration has led to an increased need for professional childcare services. The region's fast-paced lifestyle and hectic work schedules necessitate reliable and safe facilities where parents can entrust their children's care. Additionally, the awareness of the significance of early childhood education has grown among parents in Delhi-NCR, prompting them to seek quality pre-schools that offer comprehensive learning experiences for their children's overall development.

Bengaluru is another prominent city segment in the Indian pre-school/childcare market. The city's tech-savvy and progressive population emphasizes the importance of early education and quality childcare. As a result, Bengaluru has witnessed a surge in the establishment of pre-schools and childcare centers that offer modern facilities, innovative teaching methods, and a child-centric approach to education.

In Hyderabad, the market is driven by the growing ID sector with dual-income families, rapid urbanization, increasing parental awareness of early education, rising disposable income, and increasing demand for high-quality, safe, and holistic childcare solutions aligned with global standards.

In Chennai, the city's expanding urban population, increasing number of working parents, rising disposable income, and a strong emphasis on early tradition are driving the market growth. In addition to this, the growing demand for quality, safety-focused, and holistic childcare solutions is contributing to the growth of the market across the city.

In Mumbai, the state government is altering the age to enter school. A child now, for admission to nursery in 2024/25 will need to be at least three years old by the time he or she enters the school. While admissions have begun, the state is drawing up a policy to ensure that admission norms are in line with NEP 2022, according to an article by the Times of India. This is further driving the market growth across the city.

In Kolkata, government initiatives toward pre-school/Tricare focus on enhancing early childhood education through programs such as the integrated child development services (ICDS) and national early childhood care and education (ECCE) policy. These initiatives aim to improve access to quality preschool education, provide nutritional support, and promote holistic development which is further driving the market growth in the city.

Breakup by Region:

• North India
• West and Central India
• South India
• East India

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North India, West and Central India, South India, and East India.

North India has experienced rapid urbanization and an increase in the number of working parents. This has led to a higher demand for pre-schools and childcare centers that can cater to the needs of young children while their parents are at work. The region's focus on quality education and a growing awareness of the importance of early childhood development have further fueled the market's growth.

In western central India, pre-school/childcare is crucial for fostering early childhood development, providing a strong educational foundation, and promoting social skills. It's about working parents by offering reliable care and contributing to higher female workforce participation. Access to quality early education programs in these regions helps bridge educational disparities, ensuring children from diverse backgrounds receive essential cognitive and emotional support.

South India has emerged as a robust market for pre-schools and childcare services. The region is known for its emphasis on education and a strong educational infrastructure. South Indian parents are increasingly investing in early education for their children, driving the growth of the pre-school market. Additionally, the presence of multinational companies and the IT sector has led to a higher number of nuclear families and a greater demand for professional childcare services in the region.

In East India, pre-school education is vital for early childhood development, offering a strong foundation for future learning. It supports social, emotional, and cognitive growth, preparing children for formal schooling. Quality pre-school programs help bridge educational gaps in diverse socioeconomic settings, promoting inclusivity. They provide essential support for working parents, particularly in urban areas, contributing to higher workforce participation. Investing in early education in East India fosters a more equitable and prosperous society by nurturing young minds from the outset.

Competitive Landscape:

• The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided. Some of the major market players in the Indian pre-school/childcare industry include Kidzee, Bachpan Global, EuroKids, Tree House Education and Accessories Ltd., Shemrock Play School, Kangaroo Kids, Hello Kids, Little Millennium, Podar Jumbo Kids, and T.I.M.E. Kids, among many others.
• The competitive landscape of the Indian pre-school/childcare market is highly competitive with key players including EuroKids, Bachpan, and Kidzee leading the sector. These grants offer franchise models, standardized curricula, and comprehensive child development programs. Local and regional players also contribute significantly, catering to diverse needs and preferences. For instance, In March 2023, EuroKids, India's leading preschool network, announced the launch of multiple shifts for the new academic year 23-24. With this launch, EuroKids, aims to provide parents with greater flexibility and choices when it comes to their child's education. This initiative offers convenience and a big relief to all the parents and kids who prefer late morning or afternoon batches for their pre-schooling needs.

Key Questions Answered in This Report

• 1.What is the expected growth rate of the Indian pre-school/childcare market?
• 2.What are the key factors driving the Indian pre-school/childcare market?
• 3.What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the Indian pre-school/childcare market?
• 4.What is the breakup of the Indian pre-school/childcare market based on the facility?
• 5.What is the breakup of the Indian pre-school/childcare market based on the ownership?
• 6.What is the breakup of the Indian pre-school/childcare market based on the age group?
• 7.What is the breakup of the Indian pre-school/childcare market based on the location?
• 8.What is the breakup of the Indian pre-school/childcare market based on the major cities?
• 9.What are the key regions in the Indian pre-school/childcare market?
• 10.Who are the key companies/players in the Indian pre-school/childcare market?