Parent guide November 7, 2026 · 9 min read

The South Chennai parents’ guide to the preschool years

Choosing a first school, working out the school run, and getting through that first fever: this is the guide we wish every new family had. It’s written for parents in Medavakkam, Pallikaranai, Velachery, Tambaram and the neighbourhoods around them.

We should be upfront: we run a preschool in Medavakkam, so we aren’t neutral. That’s why this guide doesn’t rate other schools. It gives you the questions to ask, so you can compare any school fairly, including ours.

When to start
The school visit checklist
Fees and admissions
The school run and the rains
The first weeks
Health
Weekends and play
After preschool
By neighbourhood

When to start

Most Chennai preschools take children from about 2 years old, but age is only a starting point. Look at whether your child can manage a short separation, follow a simple instruction, and show some interest in other children. Our guide on when a child should start preschool goes through each of these.

Class names and age bands vary between schools, so check how each school defines them. Here’s how ours work, as a rough reference:

Class	Typical age
Play Group	2 to 3 years
Nursery	3 to 4 years
LKG	4 to 5 years
UKG	5 to 6 years

Not sure which one fits? Read Play Group or Nursery and daycare or preschool.

The school visit checklist

Try to visit at least three schools, on a normal working morning if you can. Take this list with you and ask the same questions at each. A good school will welcome them. For help narrowing down your list first, see how to shortlist a preschool.

Safety

Who can enter the building, and how do you check who collects a child?
What happens if a child is hurt or falls ill during the day?
Are classrooms, toilets and play areas clean and child-sized?

Teachers

How many children are there per teacher in my child’s class?
How long have the teachers worked here, and how are they trained?
How do teachers calm an upset child or handle biting and hitting?

The day

What does a normal day look like, hour by hour?
How much of the day is play, and how much is writing or worksheets?
Which languages do teachers use with the children?

Parents and money

How will you tell me about my child’s day and progress?
What is the total cost for the year, including every extra?
Can I speak to a parent whose child already studies here?

Wondering what to look for in the answers? Our post on play-based learning and worksheets explains one of the biggest differences between schools.

Fees and admissions

Two schools with similar headline fees can cost quite differently by the end of the year. Ask for one written figure that includes admission, term fees, books, uniforms, transport, daycare and any events. Then ask what you’d get back if your child leaves mid-year.

Many preschools also admit children during the year, so you may not need to rush. See our Medavakkam fee guide, the wider Chennai fees guide and the 2026–27 admissions guide.

The school run and the rains

A short distance on a map can be a long trip at school time, so try the route at the hour you’d really travel. Check where you can stop safely, and who can collect your child if you’re delayed.

Chennai’s northeast monsoon runs from about October to December, and it’s worth planning for. Ask how the school tells parents about closures, then check your route after heavy rain. These posts have more detail: pickup logistics in Medavakkam, the rainy season with toddlers and surviving the Chennai summer.

The first weeks

Tears at the gate are normal, and they usually pass faster than parents fear. Keep goodbyes short, come back when you said you would, and keep the morning routine the same each day. If your child is still very upset after a few weeks, ask the teacher what happens after you leave.

For more help, read what to expect in the first two weeks, handling separation anxiety, lunchbox ideas and our school readiness checklist.

Health

Young children catch a lot of bugs in their first school year, so sort these out before you need them:

A regular paediatrician, and which emergency room you’d go to at night.
Your child’s vaccination record, kept where you can find it quickly.
A clear rule from the school on when a sick child should stay home.
Written instructions for the school on any allergy or regular medicine.

This is practical orientation, not medical advice, so please ask your doctor about anything specific. Our paediatric care orientation for Medavakkam parents has more.

Weekends and play

Children under five need shade, a low slide and a place you can sit, more than they need a big day out. Start with the best parks for toddlers around Medavakkam and weekend ideas for preschoolers. Planning a party? See our birthday party guide. To build skills at home, try these fine motor activities.

After preschool

It helps to think about Class 1 before UKG starts, as application dates and age rules differ between schools. Check each school’s current rules directly. Our notes on primary schools after preschool are a place to begin.

By neighbourhood

If you’re new to the area or thinking of moving, start with moving to Medavakkam with a toddler, Medavakkam, Velachery or Tambaram and how Medavakkam became a young-family neighbourhood.

We also have notes for families in specific areas:

You’re welcome to share this guide or link to it from your apartment group, newsletter or website. If we’ve missed something useful, or you’d suggest a good park, class or parent group in South Chennai, write to us at [email protected].