The four early years routes in Delhi
International families in New Delhi face a choice between four credible early years routes. The first is the embassy preschool, where the home government runs the early years curriculum in the home language: Lycee Francais maternelle, DSND Kindergarten, the Japanese School and the British School Early Years. The second is the IB PYP early years section attached to a full IB World School, available at Pathways, Step by Step and Shri Ram. The third is the dedicated Montessori cluster. The fourth is the smaller pool of British EYFS settings inside mainstream Indian schools.
Each route delivers a different transition into primary. Embassy preschools feed naturally into their home-country curriculum. PYP early years feed into the same school's primary. Montessori requires planning because most settings end at age 6. British EYFS streams feed into IGCSE pathways. The early years choice therefore is partly a choice about what comes next, not only about the play-based versus structured balance.
Age groups and entry points
The NCR international early years landscape is built around five entry points. Toddler or play group from 18 months to 2 years (limited supply outside the Montessori cluster). Nursery from age 2 to 3, common at Mother's Pride, Bachpan and most IB campuses. KG1 or reception from age 3 to 4, the most popular entry point because it aligns with EYFS and IB PYP year groups. KG2 from age 4 to 5. Grade 1 or Year 1 from age 5 to 6, where the choice tips towards primary schools with formal academic content.
Cut-off dates matter. Embassy schools follow home country age cut-offs (September for the British School, the new year for LFID), while mainstream NCR schools follow the Indian academic year with a 1 April cut-off. A child born in July may be a Year 1 entrant at the British School but a KG2 entrant at Pathways Noida.
Get a shortlist of three preschools in Delhi
The early years choice has long-tail consequences for primary continuity. Take our school finder quiz and we will return three NCR preschools matched to your child's age, your home area and your intended exit point.
Fees and the three tiers
Early years tuition in the NCR splits into three tiers. Standalone preschool franchises run INR 2 to 3 lakh; this includes Mother's Pride and the larger Kidzee branches. IB and British early years sections inside full international schools run INR 3.5 to 5 lakh, with capital levies on first entry of INR 50,000 to INR 1.5 lakh. The premium tier (INR 5 to 5.5 lakh) covers the leading IB World School early years such as Pathways Aravali and Shri Ram Aravali, where the daily session length and outdoor provision justify the gap.
Embassy schools sit in their own bracket because of home-government subsidy: LFID maternelle and DSND Kindergarten are roughly INR 3.5 to 4.5 lakh once converted from EUR. Our New Delhi fees guide shows the full ladder through to Grade 12 so families can budget the trajectory, not only the preschool year.
Illustrative example schools
The four schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each represents one of the four early years routes.
Pathways World School Aravali Early Years in Gurugram delivers IB PYP early years on a 38 acre campus, with outdoor and gardening provision rare in central Delhi. Strong choice for IB-track families settling in DLF or Sushant Lok.
Step by Step World School Early Years in Noida runs IB PYP early years with Montessori-influenced materials. Established parent community and a smoother transition into the school's primary section.
Shri Ram Early Years in the Aravali corridor offers an inquiry-led early years that feeds into the Shri Ram World School IB pathway. Often the first choice for returning NRI families in Gurugram.
British School Early Years in Chanakyapuri follows the EYFS framework with smaller cohort sizes and a clear feed into the British School primary section. Many UK and Commonwealth diplomatic families enrol from age 3.
Where international preschool families live
Early years choice drives location more strongly than any other school decision in Delhi because parents do not want a long commute with under-fives. Embassy preschool families cluster in Chanakyapuri, Shanti Niketan and Vasant Vihar within walking distance of LFID, DSND and the British School. IB PYP families settle on DLF Golf Course Road, Sushant Lok and DLF Phases 1 and 2 for Pathways and Shri Ram, or in Noida Sectors 100 to 132 for Step by Step and Pathways Noida. Montessori families spread across South Delhi as supply is more diffuse.
Admissions calendar
Mainstream NCR international schools open the April intake in September to November of the prior year, with priority deadlines in early November and offers in December and January. Embassy preschools open in January for the August intake. Late applicants are placed on a waiting list, with mid-year admissions usually possible in the under-5 cohorts because absenteeism is higher and corporate relocations cycle.
Assessment for nursery and KG entry is informal: parent interview, child play observation and reading the parent application form for fit. KG2 and Year 1 entry brings a short academic readiness check (letter recognition, number concepts, listening comprehension), most importantly for families targeting Tier 1 schools.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start a nursery in New Delhi?
International preschools in the NCR commonly accept children from 18 months for a settling year, then a full nursery year from age 2 to 3 and reception or KG1 from age 3 to 4. Embassy schools follow the home country age cut-offs; mainstream NCR schools follow the Indian academic year that starts in April.
Are nursery schools in Delhi feeder schools for primary?
Most international nurseries in the NCR are integrated early years sections of larger campuses (Pathways, Step by Step, Shri Ram, British School), so progression into the primary section is automatic if the child meets readiness criteria. Standalone Montessori and play schools require a separate primary application around age 5.
How much do nursery and preschool international schools cost in New Delhi?
International preschool fees in the NCR range from about INR 2 lakh at neighbourhood standalone preschools to INR 5.5 lakh at IB World School early years sections such as Pathways and Step by Step. Capital levies of INR 50,000 to 1.5 lakh are common on first enrolment. Add 10 to 15 percent for materials, transport and meals.
Do international preschools in Delhi accept non-English speakers?
Yes. Almost every mainstream NCR international preschool accepts beginners in English, and language acquisition at this age is fast. Embassy schools (LFID, DSND, the Japanese School) operate in their home languages, with English added as a second language.
When do nursery admissions open in New Delhi?
Mainstream NCR international schools open the April intake in September to November of the previous year, with priority deadlines in early November. Embassy preschools open in January for the August intake. Mid-year admissions are usually possible in the under-5 cohorts subject to space.
