An Exclusive Interview with Ms. Swati Jain, Director of The Banyan, India’s leading pre-school and corporate day care brand
In this engaging interview, Ms. Swati Jain, Director of The Banyan, India’s leading pre-school and corporate day care brand, shares her vision for nurturing young minds while supporting working parents.
She discusses The Banyan’s unique approach to early childhood education, combining care, learning, and growth to create a strong foundation for children in today’s fast-paced world.
What inspired you to start The Banyan and focus on early childhood education and corporate daycare services?
Swati Jain: Over 20 years ago, when we were searching for a preschool for our daughter, we couldn’t find one that went beyond the routine play school model. We wanted a space that offered experiential learning and holistic growth.
Our search took us to the USA, where we visited several centres and eventually formed a joint venture with an American preschool. Blending those global practices with the Indian market, we created The Banyan introducing innovative learning tools and becoming pioneers in offering parents live CCTV access to classrooms.
What began as a quest for our own child has now grown into a mission to redefine early childhood education and corporate day-care in India.
Like the roots of a Banyan tree that spread wide and deep, we are proud to have supported thousands of families pan-India with strong foundations of care, trust, and learning.
What differentiates The Banyan from other preschool and corporate daycare brands in India?
Swati Jain: At The Banyan, we go beyond being just a preschool or day-care brand. We see ourselves as partners in parenting and early learning blending innovation, trust, and personalised care to give every child strong roots to grow and every parent peace of mind.
What truly differentiates us is the trust we have built over the years as pioneers in the daycare space in India.
Many of our client associations have lasted decades, and our team includes employees who have been with us for years , a reflection of the deep relationships and stability within our system.
We also believe in growing with the times. From being the first to offer parents live CCTV access to now introducing AI, we continually evolve to stay ahead of changing needs.
Our programs are customised for parents, children, and corporate partners, ensuring flexibility, enrichment, and innovative engagement at every step.
At The Banyan, our commitment remains the same: to create nurturing, forward-thinking environments where children thrive, families feel supported, and organisations trust us as long-term partners.
The Banyan is known for its corporate daycare programs. What trends are you seeing in how companies in India are supporting working parents?
Swati Jain: We’re seeing a clear shift in how companies support working parents. Many organisations are setting up on-site or near-site day-care centres or partnering with trusted providers like The Banyan to give employees reliable childcare solutions.
There’s also a strong focus on flexibility , extended hours, customised programs, and tech-enabled features like live CCTV access and AI-driven classrooms.
Today, The Banyan is catering to a wide range of sectors from hospitality and aviation to government, universities, and PSUs and it is encouraging to see them all creating space for daycares and recognising the importance of supporting young families.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in maintaining consistency and quality across centers?
Swati Jain: Our biggest challenge in maintaining consistency and quality across centres is ensuring every teacher and caregiver is aligned with our philosophy, which requires continuous training and retention.
At the same time, we have to balance standardisation with customisation, since every parent community has unique needs.
As we expand, quality monitoring becomes critical so we use audits, feedback systems, and technology like live CCTV and AI-enabled tools to ensure the same level of safety, care, and learning everywhere.
How do you see parents’ expectations evolving when it comes to preschool education?
Swati Jain: Parents today expect much more from preschools than just basic care or learning. They are looking for a holistic growth ,social, emotional, and creative development alongside learning.
Safety and transparency have become non-negotiable, with real-time updates and technology playing a big role. Flexibility is also key, especially for working parents.
Overall, preschools are now seen as trusted partners in parenting, helping children build strong foundations for life.
In your view, what should be the government’s role in strengthening early childhood care and education in India?
Swati Jain: The government’s role in strengthening early childhood care and education should focus on setting clear quality standards, investing in teacher training, and making ECCE more accessible through private partnerships.
Incentives for corporates to set up childcare facilities and awareness campaigns for parents can also go a long way. Ultimately, strengthening ECCE is not just about education, but about nation-building.
What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs who want to enter the education and childcare sector?
Swati Jain: In my view one should enter the education sector with passion and patience, not just a business mindset. Early childhood education and childcare are about building trust with families and shaping young lives , responsibilities that go far beyond profits.
Focus on quality, safety, and empathy right from the start, and invest in training and retaining good teachers. Be ready to customise your model to parents’ needs and evolve with changing times, because expectations are always shifting.
If you combine innovation with genuine care, this sector can be one of the most fulfilling journeys as an entrepreneur.
Swati Jain’s journey with The Banyan reflects a deep commitment to holistic child development and empowering families.
By redefining childcare through innovation and empathy, she continues to set new benchmarks in the pre-school and corporate day care space, ensuring every child thrives in a safe, stimulating environment while enabling parents to pursue their professional aspirations confidently.
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