FAQs

• Filled and signed copy of Admission & Medical Form (provided by Aarambh).

• Copy of the child's Birth Certificate with Date of Birth (DOB), Child and Parent’s Name. Please ensure that the child’s name and DOB and parent’s names are the same as provided in the Registration Form.

• Passport Photo of the child

• Leaving Certificate from previous school/institution

• Any other details that supports us in understanding of child and family.

At Aarambh we receive children with typical needs (regular children), as well as a few children with special needs. However, in case the child may have special needs, the teachers group may have to assess the needs of the child and  readiness of teachers skills and then the decision pertaining to the child’s admission would be made, in close consultation with the family.

We understand that young children need time to get used to a new space and adults around, and to get adjusted to the idea of leaving parents for few hours everyday.

Therefore, families undergo a transition period of about a week for an hour, before their child begins kindergarten for regular timings.

Aarambh is from Kindergarten to Grade 5 thus we are not eligible for any board recognition.

Usually a KG group would comprise 15-20 children with 2 KG teachers & other staff supporting partially.

Currently in grades, the class size ranges from 4-8 children.

The KG curriculum is focused on strengthening the physical body & foundational senses through unstructured play, working with hands, arts & movements , gardening, cooking etc. which helps immensely in building academic readiness for grades. Please refer to Kindergarten section to learn more.

As the child’s physical body development is given priority at Aarambh in KG, their sensory-motor development is well taken care of. This helps in building academic readiness in children such as- ability to sit for longer duration & to focus on a task at hand, use gross & fine motor abilities to write, move & draw well, listen with attention, clarity in speech etc. Giving sufficient time for sensory-motor development to take place in early years also reduces the chances of learning difficulties in later grade classes.

Along with this, in primary grades, the academic curriculum is closely integrated with arts, music & movement which piques the interest of the child further to learn & participate whole heartedly.

Until the age of 9-10 years, structured and competitive sports are avoided. Children receive a lot of time for unstructured & free play in KG. In grades, children receive a lot of time for unstructured, children-led play along with teacher-led structured social games too.

In early grades children are encouraged to share responses in class, recall, and sing together as a group. As children progress towards later primary grades, children are encouraged to respond, recall & sing individually as well. Additionally during various seasonal celebrations, festivals etc., children along with teachers, as a group create class plays, practice singing, play instruments like tabla & flute/recorder. In older primary grades, children may also perform the above for younger classes and sometimes during annual parent gatherings.

The academics in primary grades at Aarambh is age & developmentally appropriate and moves at a gradual pace and focuses on learning wholeheartedly through use of arts, movements and working with hands. We recognise that with increase in academic rigour in most schools in the last few years, Aarambh Waldorf curriculum may not be in sync with them. 

This may require families to work with their children at home in case of possible/anticipated transition out of Aarambh. Please refer to Question … to understand the support given to families at Aarambh in case a child is moving on.

The student-teacher ratio at Aarambh enables the teachers to observe the child’s daily academic and health related progress closely. The observations are gathered and recorded on a regular basis, which are shared with the parents six monthly.

Even in its simplicity, the space had a quiet charm, one that left a lasting impression on us.

What stood out most was the effort and thought behind the children’s learning. We remember looking through the handmade notebooks of the older children, the work was so unique, it felt unlike anything we had encountered in our own academic experiences.

Exchanges with Aarambh teachers and parents, rooted in simplicity and warmth, immediately resonated with us. They reminded us of our own childhoods and created a first impression that has stayed ever since.

Yes, infrastructure plays a role but what we saw at Aarambh was that it had everything that truly mattered, offered with simplicity and intention. More than the physical space, it was the people who transformed it into a nurturing environment. The teachers felt different, we could sense the love, care, and attention in how they spoke about their work. There was a quiet passion in the way they shared, making something so deep and intentional feel effortless, which, of course, we know is anything but.

The Waldorf philosophy also felt deeply liberating. It offered a way of learning that respected the child’s pace and individuality, encouraged life skills, and focused on the whole human being, something we believed would serve our child in the long run.

Back then, we didn’t fully understand the depth of the approach the way we do now, but something about it resonated. Something clicked. We knew this was the direction we wanted to take for our child and we believed this is the space our child would be truly happier in while learning. 

Aarambh has never felt like just a school,and the journey hasn’t been just about our child. As parents, we have unlearned and learned so much along the way.

One of the most meaningful changes has been the introduction of rhythm into our lives. It’s not just for children, it has brought structure and ease to our own routines too. Whether it’s our work schedules or family life, everything flows more smoothly when we are in rhythm. And we feel the difference when it slips, especially during holidays, when things tend to go off track. Another meaningful shift has been learning to embrace simplicity  in the small, everyday things. Cooking simple meals at home, celebrating birthdays in an uncomplicated way, choosing clothing that’s functional rather than flashy. These choices may seem minor, but they’ve taken a huge weight off our shoulders. What truly matters is the connection we share with our child and that doesn’t require anything elaborate. It just needs our presence, and our time.

Without Aarambh, we wouldn’t have had the tools or perspectives to face many of our parenting challenges. Learning has come from the teachers, but it has also come from fellow parents. Through shared experiences, stories, and honest reflections, we’ve grown.  

Most of the transitions are eased when parents/teachers understand and support child’s learning curve. 

Depending upon the school, children moving on from Aarambh to another mainstream school may need a few months of academic preparation (mostly Grade 5). With support from Aarambh teachers group, the respective family may identify academic areas to be worked upon with their child at home.

We also recognise that parents' emotional readiness would be of great help in making the transition smoother for their child.

Ex-Parent Testimonials

In recent times, Aarambh has reached out to Prakriti, Noida & Heritage Schools and have shared the academic & non-academic learning  processes taking place at Aarambh in various Grades & Kindergarten. 

These schools have welcomed children from Aarambh in recent years. Additionally many schools in the last few years in Delhi have sent their teachers for training at Aarambh.

We recognise that learning should be developmentally appropriate for children. At Aarambh academic learning is integrated with arts, movements & handwork closely so that their physical & emotional development takes place well. 

Therefore, technology such as computers & phones is avoided at Aarambh for learning-teaching purposes. As children in cities such as Delhi are surrounded & exposed to various tech in daily life these days, children are easily able to grasp the use of tech formally as they grow older.

How do children flourish after completing Grade 5 at Aarambh and moving into their next environment. The experiences of families who have journeyed ahead offer a warm and reassuring picture- a reflection of a shared path walked together by the family and Aarambh teachers. A child’s unfolding is never the work of a single place; it is a living collaboration between home and Aarambh. Parents’ steady presence, the rhythms they hold, and the values they nurture make a marked difference in how confidently and peacefully a child moves forward.

Again and again, families share that their children step into new spaces with assurance, curiosity, resilience, and a strong sense of self. They adapt smoothly, form meaningful friendships, and carry the creative, grounded qualities shaped by both their early Waldorf years and the wholehearted support of their families.

The stories below reflect this shared journey—real accounts that honour the partnership between parents and Aarambh, offering comfort and clarity to those who may hold questions or worries about “what comes next.” These experiences show that when home and Aarambh walk together, children do not just transition—they thrive.

Here is a heartfelt story of Sonal and Kapil, parents of Avi — from the first batch of Aarambh, now in Grade 11.

“Our journey with Aarambh started in 2016 and we still remember his first day of school. Avi thrived as a little boy with his classmates and friends. Aarambh gave him the best foundation we could have asked for. It kept him grounded while instilling him with great values, the freedom of thought, the room to be himself and all of it in a stress-free home like environment filled with love, care and nurturing. Aarambh has become a huge part of his being and will always stay with him. It has helped him to adjust, adapt and thrive in his later years through boarding school, travelling (whether alone or with us) and in many different social contexts. Most importantly, Aarambh has taught him to be kind and caring while keeping a strong understanding of self and taking care of himself in familiar and unfamiliar environments. In Aarambh, we found an extension of ourselves and it only brought joy (and absolutely no stress of schooling) in our lives. In many ways it shaped us as much as it did Avi.”~ Sonal & Kapil, parents of Avi.

Click here for alumni diary post of Instagram for above

Below is a poem by Nikita and Sumit, parents of Aahan — one of the first three children to join Aarambh in 2013, and today a Grade 9 student. Their words beautifully capture the essence of those early years at Aarambh.

“In Aarambh’s arms, our child took flight,

From toddling steps to morning light.

With nature’s toys and skies so wide,

He crawled, he leaped and started to glide,

Each milestone met with gentle grace,

A sacred rhythm, a loving pace.

Through head and heart and hands so small,

He grew in ways that nurtured all.

With every stitch and painted hue,

His world was rich, his spirit true.

No screens to dull, no rush, no race—

Just time to grow in his own space.

He stirred the pot, he swept the floor,

He stitched, he danced, and so much more.

In chores and play, in work and song,

He found where little hands belong.

Life skills bloomed in daily deeds,

In tending plants and pulling weeds.

The teachers stayed, year after year,

With guiding hands and voices clear.

Not just to teach, but walk beside,

To be a lantern and a guide.”

— Nikita and Sumit, parents of Aahan.

Click here for alumni diary post of Instagram for above

Here is the experience of Ruben and Lata, parents of Abir and Anaya (presently in Grades 9 & 6).

“Our journey with Aarambh has been beautiful and eye opening in so many ways. To be honest, we as parents experienced a part of the child within, which we probably missed throughout our own schooling. I distinctly remember that the teachers did not mention whether they had decided to give Abir admission. So, I instinctively asked her when we would get to know if he had made it. I still remember how she calmly smiled and said, “We don’t reject any child. It is you as parents, who need to decide if you understand our ideologies and are willing to go on this path with us.” It was heartening for us parents to know how deeply connected each teacher was with the children. During one of the discussions, a teacher mentioned that Abir was hyper active and overtly energetic in the mornings. She then casually enquired about the music that played in the car while he was being brought to school. As recommended by her, when we stopped the random radio music that played in the car, we noticed a more relaxed behaviour over a period of time. There were numerous things that we absorbed as parents. The greatest part of being associated with Aarambh was that Abir and Anaya (now in grade 9 and 6) started loving the thought of going to school. Something that every child deserves to experience. They would do anything to not miss school. What greater gift for parents, than their children’s sacred learning space turning into a playground where they are constantly evolving and learning without ever feeling the burden of it.” — Ruben and Lata, parents of Abir & Anaya.

Click here for alumni diary post of Instagram for above