Trotters Stop: A brand new concept in learning |17 January 2013

Headed by teaching veteran Poonam Verma, the school – which is located adjacent to the Baha’i Centre -- employs a unique curriculum, one that is an ideal blend of Montessori and contemporary teaching methods, designed specifically for a child’s early learning needs.

“After an 18-year teaching run with the International School of Seychelles, I took early retirement a few years ago, satisfied that I had done my bit for the profession I so passionately have been a part of for almost three decades! However, I was soon approached by desperate parents who were waitlisted for years to come for their children’s education,” Mrs Verma said.

In light of this growing concern, Mrs Verma decided to open a school where she could groom children in their most formative and important years.

Trotters Stop Montessori Pre-School enrolls students from the ages of 2.5 to 6 years.

With an attitude and passion that is no less than what parents have toward their own children, Mrs Verma traveled to Dubai to source the best educational toys, games, books, movies and furniture for the school.
 
As the school now prepares for its first day of term on Monday, parents are seen rushing in and out of the administrative office, blocking seats for their children for current and future terms.
 
“We are able to guarantee future admissions at this stage, however, we will not be able to shortly, as we hit our maximum capacity,” explained Ishveen Singh Arora, Mrs Verma’s daughter and business head of the school.
 
“We are consciously promoting a healthy approach to life here at the school, with lunch and snack menus specifically designed around healthy eating habits, medical policies to promote a safe and clean environment, and curricular and extra-curricular activities that will stimulate a child’s growth to its fullest potential.”

A further effort in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for children is the school’s sick bay, for students who display any signs of contagious illness at any point, where they can sleep and relax until a parent or guardian can pick them up.

Parents are expected to stay involved with their child’s early learning needs and will be kept up-to-date with what is being taught at school, so that they can work hand-in-hand with teachers in developing their children’s skills and knowledge base.

Trotters Stop will be taking on 40 students in its first year, however, expansion plans are in the pipeline.
 
“We also plan to include primary 1 and primary 2 classes in the future, as after investing three to four years in a student, it would be very hard for me to see them go! And though we have a much larger capacity already for taking on more students, we’re focusing on quality rather than quantity at present,” Mrs Verma added.

The family-run business initiative has been in the works for almost two years now.

“It has been a long journey, however, to see it realise today is an amazing feeling and sense of accomplishment – it has always been a dream of mine to open a school of my own one day,” Mrs Verma said.

For further information regarding registration, admission or curriculum details, please contact the school directly on +248-4266046/ 2513990 or e-mail: trottersstop@gmail.com

You can also follow the school on their facebook page at www.facebook.com/trottersstop