Urban parents spend heavily on preschool enrichment classes as demand rises

Activity classes for preschoolers, from phonics and music to drama, drawing and karate, are expanding rapidly among urban Indian families. The trend is also adding significantly to the cost of raising a child, with annual spending on enrichment classes in some cases approaching school fees.

Five-year-old Mihir Mehta, a kindergartener in Mumbai, attends dance, drawing, drama, phonics and karate classes, along with summer camps. His mother, Neelam Mehta, says she wants him to be productively occupied and believes the classes support his overall development. The total annual cost is close to Rs 1 lakh, slightly below his kindergarten fees.

Three-year-old Mithila also attends phonics and drawing classes. Her mother, Niyoti Mhatre, says she enrolled her daughter in phonics about six months ago because she felt Mithila wanted to express herself better. The child also joins LEGO and Kleinetics sessions during summer camps. The family’s annual spending on these activities is around Rs 85,000, while school fees are close to Rs 1.2 lakh a year.

For a growing number of urban families, such structured paid “edutainment” is replacing free play and is no longer treated as discretionary spending. Over the three preschool years of nursery, junior kindergarten and senior kindergarten, the cost of enrichment classes can cross Rs 3-4 lakh.

Parents cite several reasons for the shift. These include a desire to improve communication, confidence, motor skills, discipline, creativity, social interaction and attention span early in life. Reducing children’s screen time is another major factor.

Rakesh Kalra, CEO of learning marketplace UrbanPro, says the company has seen a steady rise in enquiries from parents of preschoolers for classes such as dance, music, phonics, spoken English, drawing, storytelling, chess, abacus and beginner gymnastics or yoga. He says demand usually spikes during summer vacations, school admission cycles and festive breaks. He also notes that while metro cities lead the trend, demand is also strong in Tier-2 cities.

Parents also point to competitive school admissions. Sebi-registered investment adviser Abhishek Kumar, founder of Sahaj Money, says many parents believe early exposure to extracurricular activities may help children gain admission into prestigious schools by showcasing talents beyond academics.

The article profiles several families. Bengaluru-based software professional Ankita Pratik enrolled her six-year-old daughter, Prapti, in dance, karate, badminton and swimming partly to keep her away from mobile phones and television. Mumbai-based Preeti Paudwal has enrolled her four-year-old daughter, Rewa, in singing classes in addition to dance at day care, saying the classes help provide social exposure in a fun environment.

Experts cited in the article say the early years are important for development. Theatre personality Raell Padamsee, MD and CEO of ACE Productions, says ages three to five are crucial not only for academic growth but also for emotional intelligence, creativity and communication skills. She says drama can boost creativity and problem-solving, while music and phonics can improve listening skills and phonetic awareness. Public speaking, she adds, helps build confidence.

Padamsee says drama, art and public speaking courses can cost around Rs 6,000-7,500 for 10 sessions, though fees vary by location, class type and level of instruction.

Dr Indhuumathy Thayammal, Consultant Paediatrician at Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Chennai, says neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganise and form new connections in response to experiences, is exponential between the ages of one and five years.

Neelu Kalro, Vice Principal of JBCN International School in Chembur, says many parents now look beyond the standard classroom and recognise the role of such experiences in a child’s overall development. She adds that high-end schools often incorporate enrichment activities into regular programmes, but interest in these offerings is growing as a way to give children broader exposure.

Tanuja Gomes, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Furtados School of Music, says music supports cognitive and emotional development, improves concentration and confidence, and helps emotional regulation. She says urban parents are increasingly opting to start classes as early as age four. Monthly music class fees for children aged three to six in Mumbai typically range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000, with variation across metros.

Dance is another popular choice. Paramveer Singh, Director of Navi Mumbai-based arts academy House of Kalas, says children enjoy dancing and that it contributes to personality development while serving as productive entertainment. He says fees generally range from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,500 a month.

Parents’ motivations go beyond busy schedules or a lack of caretakers. According to the article, many are responding to broader ideas about child development. UNICEF is cited as saying that 90% of the human brain’s structure takes shape by age five. India’s National Education Policy also emphasises activity-based learning, including puzzles, problem-solving, drawing, painting, craft, drama, puppetry and music.

Even so, the article notes that some parents feel the need for more than what schools provide. It also argues that these classes should now be viewed as a fixed budget item. Depending on the number and type of activities, annual spending of Rs 1-1.2 lakh may be required.

UrbanPro data cited in the article shows broad fee ranges depending on city, tutor profile and whether classes are online or offline. Annual dance fees can range from Rs 30,000 to Rs 84,000. Music classes can cost Rs 36,000 to Rs 1.2 lakh annually. Drawing classes can cost Rs 24,000 to Rs 72,000. These figures refer to individual tutors.

Despite strong demand, the market remains fragmented, according to Kalra. Much of it is served by independent tutors, home-run studios, local academies and specialised trainers. Organised chains exist in select segments, but many parents still prefer individual tutors because of personalised attention, flexible timings, proximity and lower batch sizes.

The article advises parents to choose tutors carefully and to weigh fees, flexibility and personalised attention against the structure and broader exposure that organised institutes may offer.

Financial advisers quoted in the article recommend planning ahead. Priyadarshini Mulye, a Sebi-registered investment adviser and founder of ARTHA FinPlan, says parents may start planning financially for such activities as soon as a child is born. For longer investment horizons, she suggests ultra-short-term debt funds and arbitrage funds. If planning later, she suggests recurring deposits and liquid mutual funds.

Abhishek Kumar says planning should begin six to twelve months before preschool starts so the additional cost does not disrupt the family budget or other financial goals. He recommends a combination of monthly recurring deposits and low-risk liquid mutual funds to preserve capital while keeping funds easily accessible.

The article also includes a caution against overloading young children. Preeti Paudwal says multiple classes can be taxing and that parents should think carefully before enrolling their children in too many activities. She says children need rest for both mind and body.

Overall, the piece presents early enrichment as a fast-growing and increasingly expensive part of urban parenting, driven by developmental goals, social exposure, reduced screen time and competitive pressures, while also raising questions about affordability and balance.