Leaders

A fresh approach that recognizes every child’s individuality as a strength forms the basis of today’s early childhood education. Today’s modern educational establishments are guided by nurturing safe and stimulating spaces for development.

Trust, care, and meaningful engagement are the pillars to this industry’s evolving philosophy aimed to enhance growth in every dimension. Educational institutes have made a conscious shift from rigid, one-size-fits all teaching models to holistic and child-centric frameworks.

Some ventures are born from turning hurdles into opportunities often leading to a path of self-discovery. Such is the story of Swathi Lakshmi SR, whose passion was ignited by purpose and beyond. Driven to create a lasting impact on individuals, Swathi has been drawn to understand and nurture young minds.

As the principal of Mama’s Dela, her experience across various schools is largely responsible for shaping her vision creating safe spaces for young children.

Take us through the formative years of your life and key influences that shaped your life’s trajectory.

My roots are within a humble family; even though my parents were not highly educated, but their biggest dream for me was to have my feet grounded in education. As a child I saw the challenges they encountered due to no education.

Such experiences fueled my fathers’ constant thrust that allowed me to prioritize learning and gain knowledge. His vision for me was to shape young minds and nurture good souls, which continues to guide my purpose.

Tell us about your professional and entrepreneurial journey as an educator.

My journey from teacher to entrepreneur was shaped by both passion and obstacles. With a master’s degree and years of classroom experience, I was confident about teaching, but launching my own preschool came with new challenges.

From finances to infrastructure and then positioning my brand among other competitors, the early years were filled with struggles that tested my determination and grit.

Building trust in the community around as a new preschool brand was a crucial turning point. Where legacy and established names are the first choice of many parents, being independent and non-branded was both a challenge and strength.

But by consistently delivering quality education year after year, I slowly gained credibility. Now years later, I have expanded into a much larger, second branch, a milestone that reflects the growth that perseverance makes possible.

Over the years what key areas of specialization have you developed as a leader in early education?

One of my deepest understandings in early childhood education is that knowledge is never static. A degree or certificate may provide a foundation, but one has to grow with the evolving demands of each new year. What strategies worked out one-year may not be best suitable for the next, so educators must have to embrace continuous learning and adaptability to truly meet children’s evolving needs.

I tend to learn from my environment that consist of children, teachers, parents and my colleagues. The two values that anchor me are patience and consistency. I encourage my teachers to be patient with whomever they contact that helps them to grow calm and remain persistent within.

Introduce us to Mama’s Dela and the key roles that you shoulder as the institution’s Principal.

At Mama’s Dela, our name symbolizes nurturing like a butterfly’s baby as children require care, attention, and connection. Our school’s guiding belief, ‘We Connect with Children’ shapes my role as principal. Rather than sitting in an office, I actively work in classrooms, partnering with teachers and being present with students.

At Mama’s Dela we give top priority to the child’s learning and well-being. My role is not only to satisfy parents, but to give them a clear picture of their child’s performance. Parents and teachers should work in accordance and support the child’s improvement in meaningful ways, ensuring that growth is authentic rather than superficial.

What challenges do you encounter as a leader in early education? How do you navigate through these roadblocks?

The most demanding challenge continues to be the presence of digital marketing. Even with significant investment, outsourcing has not always delivered the desired results. To bring a change, we have to ourselves understand and engage with the process to reap the benefits of success. To succeed in this tech-savvy environment, it is essential to gain basic digital skills.

The work culture of running a preschool independently means balancing brand competition, staffing challenges, and financial pressures while still ensuring growth. The request for live footage has become a significant challenge as continuous monitoring creates unnecessary pressure and hampers productivity.

I am still an advocate of the old school approach, where parents trust educators and the system fully, enabling us to focus on quality without distraction.

Looking back, which professional milestones standout in your journey? What is your ‘success mantra’?

One of my key milestones is the steady increase in the student strength we build every academic year. Personally, the momentum gained in admissions is not just a number, it reflects the trust parents place in us and the impact we deliver to children.

Employee retention and well-being are milestones I take pride in each academic year and is reflected when all my staff continues with me in full spirits and enthusiasm. I lay emphasis on achieving these simple yet powerful short-term goals, which form the foundation of our long-term impact.

How do you foresee the early education landscape evolving in India going forward?

In my opinion the early childhood education system today has become increasingly digitalized. This signals toward the growing risk of getting carried away by superficial tools rather than focusing on what truly nurtures a child’s growth. It is the need of the hour that neither parents nor children become distracted by fancy, tech-driven features, but instead remain anchored in meaningful holistic development.

While technology assists the system, I aspire to witness early childhood classrooms designed with zero digital equipment. A generation that is kind, unfiltered, and driven by child-led creativity is something worth protecting for the future.

Swathi Lakshmi Sr, Principal, Mama’s Dela

Driven by purpose and strengthened by experience, Swathi Lakshmi stands as a leader redefining childcare and preschool education. At the helm of Mama’s Dela as its principal, her vision is anchored in commitment to build safe, nurturing and progressive learning spaces for young India. Having a proven track record, she instils confidence, curiosity, and love for learning.