Nurturing Young Minds: A Conversation with Mr. Sunil Tyagi, Director of ICON Preschool

An Exclusive Interview with Mr. Sunil Tyagi, Director at ICON Preschool

In this insightful interview, Mr. Sunil Tyagi, Director of ICON Preschool, shares his vision for nurturing young minds through creativity, care, and innovative teaching.

His dedication to building a strong foundation for early learners reflects the school’s mission to shape confident, inquisitive children ready for the future.

As a civil engineer by qualification and now a leading parenting expert and educationist, how did your journey evolve from constructing structures to shaping lives? Was there a defining moment when you felt this calling?

Sunil Tyagi: My shift from civil engineering to parenting and education wasn’t a dramatic turn—it developed naturally through everyday conversations and a deep inner calling.

I spent many years constructing high-rise buildings, malls, and roads—ensuring that every structure stood strong. But after marriage, those quiet morning teas I shared with my wife, Abha, began to change something within me.

We often talked about life’s purpose, saying, “We didn’t come into this world just to exist; we came to do something meaningful for society.”

And then one day, suddenly it hit me— “Why not use my experience of building strong foundations to help raise happy and emotionally strong children?” My parents had always instilled in us a sense of purpose, and when my brother Mukul added his ideas, ICON was born in 2005.

There was nothing grand about it—just a simple family dream taking shape. When I looked at those little children, I thought, “They are my children too.”

Today, that engineering mindset helps me explain child psychology to parents and teachers in simple, practical ways. I am still building foundations—only now, they are emotional foundations.

ICON is about creating spaces where children can grow safely, lovingly, and joyfully… where they learn how to be happy. That morning conversation with Abha still inspires me every single day.

With over three decades of experience across government and private sectors, what key lessons from your professional journey have influenced how ICON Preschool operates today?

Sunil Tyagi: Those 30-plus years—including five with the Delhi Government and the rest in private setups—taught me one profound truth: real strength lies not in discipline or deadlines, but in empathy and emotional connection. I saw how understanding people—their worries and joys—can turn chaos into clarity. At ICON, these lessons are reflected everywhere.

Our ISO certification reflects the discipline and systems I learned managing large projects. But the soul of ICON is much deeper—it lies in our “Children First” approach. Safe environments, NCF-aligned learning, and emotional bonding define us.

We are not here to build more schools; we are here to build trust. That is why, across 100 + branches, our focus is on creating environments where innocence can breathe freely—where innocence can remain happy. This beautiful blend of discipline and heart is what makes ICON feel like home every day.

You often say “Education must continue, not just in classrooms, but in hearts.” How does this belief reflect in ICON Preschool’s approach to teaching and parent engagement?

Sunil Tyagi: That line, “Education must continue, not just in classrooms, but in hearts,” came straight from those tough days of the pandemic, when everything shut down but life didn’t stop. At ICON, we live it every day: learning isn’t a checklist. It’s about touching souls.

Our teachers start with the child’s smile. Through games, stories, and quiet chats that spark wonder, all tied to NCF steps, so it feels natural, not forced.

Classrooms resemble cosy corners of home, with soft lighting and open spaces where kids can simply be themselves, building trust one laugh at a time. Parents are right in the middle of it.

We pull up chairs for real talks, sharing tips over coffee, watching milestones together, so they carry that learning home.

I always say, every child is my child, so why not treat families like our own? It turns school into a bridge, not a boundary. When hearts connect like that, happiness sticks around, confidence grows quiet and strong. That’s ICON: lessons that linger long after the bell. 

Your books—“Successful Parenting,” “The 5 Secrets,” “Shoonya Se Shikhar Ki Ore,” and “Galti Kiski”—have inspired many. What motivated you to write them, and what core message do you want every parent to remember?

Sunil Tyagi: These books were born from those same morning tea conversations with my wife, Abha—my greatest inspiration. We often heard stories of parents burdened with guilt, pushing their children too hard just to keep up.

It touched me deeply. I realized that if a child receives the right upbringing, they remain motivated for life, no matter the circumstances.

So, I began writing—to remind parents that parenting is not about perfection, it is about presence. My core message is simple—“Don’t chase perfection; build connection.”

In today’s fast-paced world, love matters more than pressure. My books emphasize this—listen more, stay patient, and lead with kindness. I firmly believe, “Every human being works for happiness.”

This belief reflects in everything we do at ICON. When parents internalize it, their children flourish—free of pressure, full of joy. That is the quiet success I seek.

Emotional intelligence is central to ICON’s philosophy. What is your happiness mantra, and how do you ensure emotional learning receives equal importance as academics?

Sunil Tyagi: At ICON, emotional intelligence is not an extra—it is our foundation. I believe every human being’s ultimate goal is happiness. And we are blessed that God has given us the opportunity to nurture innocent minds with the right direction and attitude.

That is why everyone around our “ICON” children—teachers, didis, security guards, transporters, and most importantly, parents—is trained to handle children with warmth, empathy, and the right language.

For children aged 1.5 to 5.5, play is the medium of learning. Through simple games, they learn sharing, resilience, and emotional sensitivity. Our NCF-based approach makes this natural and joyful.

Even our environment supports this—soft corners, familiar routines, and calm transitions help every child feel secure, not rushed.

We track emotional progress as carefully as academics—observing how children open up, smile, and connect deeply. Parents are guided through workshops to recognize emotional cues at home, keeping the circle complete.

Children who feel heard grow into individuals who listen and uplift others. That is our goal—bright minds with gentle hearts, every day.

Your vision of building a “Depression-Free India” through mindful education is inspiring. What are the biggest challenges you face in achieving this, and how do you plan to overcome them?

Sunil Tyagi: That vision, a “Depression-Free India,” comes straight from what I hold dear: every person, especially our children, has the right to genuine happiness. But getting there, it’s not easy.

The biggest hurdles hit close to home: parents stretched thin by jobs and expectations, kids trading playground hours for homework piles. Then there’s this whole push in society for marks over moods. And don’t get me started on how screens and solitude pile on the quiet hurts.

Spreading it wide, even with our 85 branches, means reaching corners where help feels miles away. We tackle it head-on, one family at a time.

We’re growing those franchises, but only with heart. Training teachers to spot a downcast eye and weave in simple mindfulness, like breathing breaks or sharing circles. Parents get pulled in through those no-pressure chats, where we swap stories and build that net of support right at home.

Our NCF curriculum keeps it grounded: play that builds bounce-back, not just book smarts. I keep reminding the team, “Education must continue, not just in classrooms, but in hearts.” Persistence with a side of love, slow steps, sure ones. That’ll raise a generation light on their feet, heavy on joy.

ICON Preschool was born from a deeply personal family dream. Can you share a moment with your wife that truly shaped ICON’s identity?

Sunil Tyagi: ICON was born not from a business plan, but from a shared heartbeat of a family, as I have mentioned before. Daily discussions with my wife, Abha, and the restlessness to find purpose in life inspired us to create something that could spread happiness in society.  For that, nothing was better than a play school.

We even named the school society after our parents, honoring our roots. With their blessings and God’s grace, ICON has now grown across India, nurturing “Happiness Ambassadors” everywhere.

My dream is that by 2047, when India celebrates “Viksit Bharat,” the children of ICON will stand tall—contributing to the creation of a Happy India. That will be the true fulfillment of my mission.

You’ve been a pillar of strength and motivation, especially during difficult times like the pandemic. Is there a particular story of hope or transformation that stays with you?

Sunil Tyagi: The pandemic tested us all, but it also showed me how much power there is in simple connections. I jumped on social media back then: live chats with teachers, quick calls to parents, just to keep spirits up when everything felt locked down.

One that really sticks with me is this mom who reached out, voice shaking. Her little boy, just three, was terrified of the screen time we all had to lean on. He’d hide under the table at the sight of it, and she was at her wits’ end, feeling like she’d failed him. We talked it through over a call, no big fixes.

Just me suggesting they step back to basics: turn lessons into games, maybe chase a ball around the room before sitting down, give him time to ease in with a hug first.

A few weeks later, she messaged with a photo: him grinning ear to ear, scribbling his first letters with crayons, asking for “more story time.”

That turnaround, from tears to that pure kid joy, it hit me right in the chest. It’s exactly what I mean when I say, “Education must continue, not just in classrooms, but in hearts.”

Her thanks, that quiet “You gave us our light back,” it grounds me still. Moments like that remind me why we keep going at ICON: love doesn’t quit, and neither do we. It turns dark days into the start of something brighter.

As a leader and mentor, what qualities do you believe every teacher and parent should cultivate to help children grow into confident, happy, and compassionate individuals?

Sunil Tyagi: Leading and mentoring at ICON has shown me time and again that it’s the quiet strengths that make the real difference for kids: empathy, patience, and just being fully there.

Empathy means stepping into a child’s shoes, catching those little worries before they snowball, so trust builds like a warm hug. Patience means letting them unfold at their own speed, no timelines or tough love, just steady hands guiding the way.

And presence, well, that’s the magic: putting down the phone, locking eyes during a story, so they know they’re the center of your world right then. It sparks that inner confidence, the kind that lets joy bubble up naturally.

It’s a nudge for teachers to lean into our NCF setup, turning circle time or block-building into chances to practice sharing and saying sorry with a smile.

For parents, it’s about that steady warmth at home, listening after a tough day, helping them name their feelings so emotions don’t just simmer.

I pull our team and families together for those real chats, walking them through it, because when we live this out, every child walks taller, kinder, lighter. At the end of the day, it’s love wrapped in understanding that shapes them, not into stars, but into good souls who lift the world.

Looking ahead, how do you see your long-term vision for ICON Preschool and your  mission as a parenting expert and educator? How do you view your role in shaping the next generation of emotionally strong and joyful learners?

Sunil Tyagi: Looking ahead, I envision ICON as that light in every small town and city in India, a place where children can simply be children—laughing, learning, and carefree.

The goal is to expand through more franchises, reaching families far and wide. This vision is rooted in one truth I hold close: “Every human being works for happiness,” and that guides every step I take.

As a parenting expert, my path is clear: to share heartfelt guidance—through my books and conversations—equipping mothers and fathers with the tools to raise children who bend but do not break.

Personally, I see myself as that quiet guiding hand—mentoring teachers one coffee at a time, sitting with parents to navigate the daily ups and downs, showing them how a listening ear can turn worry into wonder.

We will continue leaning into NCF-based methods, blended with emotional care and attention, to strengthen our 100+ branches and beyond.

My real legacy will be seen if educators learn to lead from the heart, not just the handbook, and the children growing up are the kind who naturally spread joy: steady, kind, and full of spark.

My dream is simple—to nurture educators who teach from the heart, not just from handbooks—and children who naturally spread joy wherever they go. One open heart at a time, that is how we will build a truly Happy India. 

Mr. Tyagi’s approach highlights the power of personalized education and joyful learning experiences. His commitment to holistic development continues to inspire educators and parents alike, setting ICON Preschool apart as a leader in early childhood education.

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